I clean my fan every two weeks because of that fact;and right after I clean it that's when he does it.
You might try cleaning the fan. They tend to collect grease.
Oh yes it is off when he licks it, I have had many cats before and he is the only cat that does it.I just thought it was strange and maybe he is lacking something in his diet besides 9 lives .
Hope it always be off... Have you ever checked the possibility of the thing be smelling somehow good for him?
Maybe someone touched it with good smelling hands...
Just wondering.