For posterity... The test: got it good and warm since there _seemed_ to be a temp dependence. @ idle, turned off the key and waited a couple of seconds to get past the legitimate shut off delay. It kept running. Pulled plug wire, it got rough. Plugged it back in, it smoothed out. Pulled both, it shut off. It was pretty clear that the ignition stayed live - I got stung pretty good through my gloves to verify :) The fix: replaced the ignition time delay module. Got it hot and tested. It shut down in a few seconds as expected. If anything changes after actually doing a day's work with it, I will post again. Thanks for the excellent suggestions, and happy gardening/tractoring! Z (Well, Bill actually, but that login handle was taken)

Does the thermostat say "Cool On"? You may want to have the installers set the thermostat to its less agressive temperature control setting (or they may have inadvertantly set it to the opposite). Perhaps it needs to run constantly to maintain temperature if its very warm outside. Will it shut off if you raise the temp?

I pretty much can do what I like with the apartment with some restrictions as my step-dad and mom own the house with an in-law apartment. I do know an electrician. I was hoping it was something like replacing the thermostat unit thinking something internal was wrong. As my boyfriend and step-dad can do small electrical work. Looks like I'll have to call my friend.

how short is short for the fan run time. does the outdoor unit run till the inside temp of the house is satisfied? They way the heatpump works is the outdoor unit is your primary heat and should run till the stat reaches temperature. and the aux. heat is electric heatstrips inside of your home where the fan is and should only run if the temp in your home is 2* lower than your stat. or unless it is very cold outside and ice buildup is on your outdoor unit. now if your outside unit is not running the whole time until your thermostat satisfies, then try running it in cooling mode for 5 min. and watch and see what happens. Also is this a hybrid unit, meaning gas and electric heat?> and how are you manually shutting off the fan, from the stat or power source?