What is normal operating coolant temperature?

[vfwjed]

What is the normal operating coolant temperature for a BMW e32 M62 4.4L engine sitting at idle/parked? (2000 X5)

I ran the GT1 INPA diagnostic (Analog 1) and it was showing 216F – 220F for coolant temp. This seemed higher than I expected. In the process of my investigation, I discovered that the pusher fan (aux fan) was shot. More on this later…

I measured ** the coolant temp indirectly with a (calibrated) fluke laser thermometer the following day, and it measured 215F. So the laser reading is close to the INPA reading so the fluid temp is assumed to be accurate.

**Measured the surface a couple points near the Coolant Outlet Port of the engine. The easiest spot with a good reading was the stainless steel hose clam closest to the engine.

Note: The temperature needle on the cluster head is showing 12 o’clock, BUT this needle is No Longer factory calibrated because the cluster was disassembled to repair the missing pixel problem. – i.e. the needle was calibrated by hand. So I cannot state with certainty it is accurate.

Aux Fan Questions:

The Bentley manual stated that the Aux Fan comes on 20% speed when the car is first started to determine if the fan is working. My car failed this test. Also, my car was registering an 8D (fan) fault code but no SES light.

Should the aux fan be on at engine idle? Maybe this would be the cause of my higher than expected temp reading. (if it is fact high???)

The OEM replacement fans are very expensive so my question is regarding the aftermarket brands.

Any opinions or recommendations?

For example:
00 2000 BMW X5 Radiator Fan Assembly - Cooling System - Behr - PartsGeek

Final notes:

I tested the fan by:

First checking inputs into the fan, the voltage on the connecter (fan plug disconnected) – All good, pulsed control signal showed about 5vdc. (assumed to be good)

Second jumped the fan directly to batt.

(+fan to +batt)
(–fan to –batt)
(fanCTL to +batt)

The fan did not start/move/spin.
Conclusion bad (dead) fan.

thanks in advance