GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0480: Cooling Fan Relay 1 Control Circuit

DTC P0481: Cooling Fan Relay 2 Control Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Low Speed Cooling Fan Relay Control Circuit for Cool/Fan 1 Relay 28

P0480

P0480

P0480

--

Cool/Fan 1 Relay 28 Coil Voltage Supply Circuit

P0480

P0480

--

--

High Speed Cooling Fan Relay Control Circuit for Cool/Fan 2 Relay 30

P0481

P0481

P0481

--

Cool/Fan 2 Relay 30 Coil Voltage Supply Circuit

P0481

P0481

--

--

Series/Parallel Cooling Fan Relay Control Circuit

P0481

P0481

P0481

--

Cool SER/PAR Relay 29 Coil Voltage Supply Circuit

P0481

P0481

--

--

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) commands the fans ON in high speed or low speed. In low speed, the fans are configured in series. In high speed, the fans are configured in parallel.

In low speed operation, the ECM applies ground to the coil side of the low speed relay, which is cool/fan 1 relay 28. Voltage is applied directly to the left cooling fan through the switch side of the low speed relay. The right fan is connected in series to the left fan through the de-energized series/parallel relay, which is the cool SER/PAR relay 29, so that both operate at low speed.

In high speed operation, the ECM applies a ground to the coil side of the low speed relay, the series/parallel relay, and the high speed relay, which is the cool/fan 2 relay 30. Voltage is applied directly to the right cooling fan through the switch side of the high speed relay. The left cooling fan obtains voltage through the low speed relay and ground through the series/parallel relay.

When the ECM is commanding a fan relay ON, the voltage of the control circuit should be low, near 0 volt. When the ECM is commanding a fan relay OFF, the voltage of the control circuit should be high, near battery voltage. If the ECM detects that the actual voltage of the relay control circuit is different than the expected voltage, DTC  P0480 or P0481 will set and the affected ECM driver will be disabled.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The ignition is ON.
    • The system voltage is between 9-18 volts.
    • The relay control circuit is transitioned from OFF to ON, or ON to OFF.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • An improper voltage level has been detected on the cooling fan relay control circuit.
    • The condition must be present for a minimum of 30 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

DTCs P0480 and P0481 are Type B DTCs.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

DTCs P0480 and P0481 are Type B DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Cooling Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Cooling System Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Cooling Fan Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Electrical Center Identification Views
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

    •  Scan Tool Data Definitions
    •  Scan Tool Data List
    •  Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, command each relay ON and OFF with a scan tool. Feel or listen to verify that each relay turns ON and OFF with each command.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the series/parallel relay.
  2. Connect a 30A fused jumper between the normally-open switch contact terminals at the series/parallel relay connector in order to complete the fan ground circuit. Leave this jumper in place for the remainder of this procedure.
  3. Ignition OFF, disconnect the affected relay.
  4. Ignition ON, connect a test lamp between the positive terminal at the battery and the affected relay control circuit terminal.
  5. Command the affected relay ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  6. If the test lamp is always ON, test the relay control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the relay control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  7. Connect a 30A fused jumper between the positive voltage terminal at the battery and the fan voltage supply circuit terminal at the affected relay connector and verify fan activation.
  8. If the fan does not activate, test the fan voltage supply circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the fan.
  9. Ignition ON, connect a 30A fused jumper between the relay switch voltage supply circuit terminal and the fan voltage supply circuit terminal at the affected relay connector and verify fan activation.
  10. If the fan does not activate, test the affected relay switch voltage supply circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and its fuse is open, test all connected components and replace as necessary.
  11. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the affected relay coil voltage supply circuit terminal and ground.
  12. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the affected relay coil voltage supply circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and its fuse is open, test all connected components and replace as necessary.
  13. If all circuits and the ECM test normal, replace the affected relay.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Relay Replacement
    •  Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming