Cooling System Description and Operation. Cadillac CTS

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 2003 🢒 CTS - RHD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Cooling 🢒 Cooling System Description and Operation

Cooling Fan Control - Two Fan System

The engine cooling fan system consists of 2 electrical cooling fans and 3 fan relays. The relays are arranged in a series/parallel configuration that allows the engine control module (ECM) to operate both fans together at low or high speeds. The cooling fans and fan relays receive battery positive voltage from the underhood fuse block. The ground path is provided at G104.

During low speed operation, the ECM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the low speed fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the low fan fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the left cooling fan. The ground path for the left cooling fan is through the cooling fan s/p relay and the right cooling fan. The result is a series circuit with both fans running at low speed.

During high speed operation the ECM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. After a 3 second delay, the ECM supplies a ground path for the high speed fan relay and the cooling fan s/p relay through the high speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the cooling fan s/p relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and provides a ground path for the left cooling fan. At the same time the high speed fan relay coil is energized closing the relay contacts and provides battery positive voltage from the high fan fuse on the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the right cooling fan. During high speed fan operation, both engine cooling fans have there own ground path. The result is a parallel circuit with both fans running at high speed.

The ECM commands the low speed cooling fans ON under the following conditions:

•	Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 94.5°C (202°F).

•	A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1447 kPa (210 psi).

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After the vehicle is shut OFF if the engine coolant temperature at key-off is greater than 101°C (214°F) the low speed fans will run for a minimum of 60 seconds After 60 seconds, if the coolant temperature drops below 101°C (214°F) the fans will shut OFF. The fans will automatically shut OFF after 3 min. regardless of coolant temperature.

The ECM commands the high speed fans ON under the following conditions:

•	Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 104.25°C (220°F).

•	A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds approximately 1824 kPa (265 psi).

•	When certain DTCs set.

At idle and very low vehicle speeds the cooling fans are only allowed to increase in speed if required. This insures idle stability by preventing the fans from cycling between high and low speed.

Cooling Fan Control - Three Fan System

The engine cooling fan system consists of 3 electrical cooling fans and 4 fan relays. The low speed, high speed, and s/p relays are arranged in a series/parallel configuration that allows the ECM to operate the left cooling fan and right cooling fan together at low or high speeds. The cooling fans and fan relays receive battery positive voltage from the underhood fuse block. The ground path is provided at G104.

The auxiliary cooling fan relay is located in the left rear fuse block and receives ignition 1 voltage from the underhood fuse block. The auxiliary cooling fan receives battery positive voltage from the left rear fuse block through the auxiliary cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit via the underhood fuse block.

During auxiliary cooling fan operation, the ECM supplies the ground path for the auxiliary cooling fan relay through the auxiliary cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the auxiliary cooling fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the 30 amp maxi-fuse through the auxiliary cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit. The ground path is provided at G104.

The ECM commands the low speed fans on under the following conditions:

•	Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 94.5°C (202°F).

•	A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1447 kPa (210 psi).

•

After the vehicle is shut OFF if the engine coolant temperature at key-off is greater than 101°C (214°F) the low speed fans will run for a minimum of 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, if the coolant temperature drops below 101°C (214°F) the fans will shut OFF. The fans will automatically shut OFF after 4 min. regardless of coolant temperature.

The ECM commands the high speed fans ON under the following conditions:

•	Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 104.25°C (220°F).

•	A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1824 kPa (265 psi).

•	When certain DTCs set.

At idle and very low vehicle speeds the cooling fans are only allowed to increase in speed if required. This insures idle stability by preventing the fans from cycling between high and low speed.

The ECM commands the auxiliary cooling fan ON when the engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 108°C (226°F).

Engine Coolant

Engine coolant is the key element of the heating system. The engine thermostat controls the normal engine operating coolant temperature. Coolant pumped out of the engine block (1) enters the heater core (2) through the inlet heater hose. The air flowing through the HVAC module absorbs the heat of the coolant flowing through the heater core. The coolant then exits the heater core through the heater outlet hose. If the coolant temperature is below 95°C (203°F), the afterboil coolant pump (3) may be turned on to increase the flow through the heater core. This pump is located down stream of the heater core in the heater outlet hose. Coolant will flow through this pump even if the pump is not required and is turned off. Coolant then flows from the after/boil coolant pump to the by-pass valve (4) that directs coolant to the engine block if the engine is running to improve heater performance or to the radiator (5) if the engine is off and over temperature to prevent overheating. Engine vacuum from the by-pass solenoid controls the coolant bypass valve positions. When the engine is running, vacuum is supplied to the valve directing coolant to the engine block. When the engine is off, no vacuum is supplied to the valve directing the coolant to the radiator. If the coolant bypass valve does not open to the engine block flow position when the engine is started, the vehicle may not reach operating temperature and heater performance may be affected.

Heater Coolant Flow Circuit


(1)	Engine Block
(2)	Heater Core
(3)	After-Boil Coolant Pump
(4)	Coolant By-Pass Valve
(5)	Radiator

The HVAC control module will command the afterboil/heater coolant pump on for improved performance under the following conditions:

•	The engine is running

•	The engine coolant temperature is below 95°C (203°F)

•	The engine speed is below 4000 RPM

•	The blower motor is ON

•	Selected air temperature requires heat

Heater Coolant Flow Circuit


(1)	Engine Block
(2)	Heater Core
(3)	After-Boil Coolant Pump
(4)	Coolant By-Pass Valve
(5)	Radiator

The HVAC control module will command the afterboil/heater coolant pump on when the engine is off under the following conditions:

•	The engine is OFF.

•	The engine coolant temperature is above 101°C (214°F)

The above coolant flow circuits are designed to show the coolant flow related to the coolant by-pass valve positions only. The thermostat function and thermostat coolant flow paths are not shown.

Coolant Warning Messages

The Radio will display the following messages if the following conditions exist in the cooling system.

Engine hot -- A/C OFF, will be displayed if coolant temperature is above 117°C (243°F). For imports 115°C (239°F).

Engine coolant hot -- idle engine, will be displayed if coolant temperature is above 118°C (245°F).

Engine overheated -- stop engine, will be displayed if coolant temperature is above 123°C (253°F).

Coolant Level Control

The engine cooling system contains an engine coolant level switch to alert the driver in the event of a low coolant level. When the engine coolant level in the surge tank falls below a certain level, the coolant level switch opens. When the HVAC control module detects an open, or a high voltage level, on the coolant level indicator control circuit for at least 10 seconds, it will send a class 2 message to the radio requesting display of the low coolant level message. There is approximately a 10 second delay before the HVAC control module sends the class 2 message, to prevent the message from being displayed due to coolant sloshing in the surge tank.

Coolant Heater

The optional engine coolant heater (RPO K05) operates using 110-volt AC external power and is designed to warm the coolant in the engine block area for improved starting in very cold weather 29°C (20°F). The coolant heater helps reduce fuel consumption when a cold engine is warming up. The unit is equipped with a detachable AC power cord. A weather shield on the cord is provided to protect the plug when not in use.

Water Pump

The water pump is a centrifugal vane impeller type pump. The pump consists of a housing and an impeller. The impeller is a flat plate mounted on the pump shaft with a series of flat or curved blades or vanes. When the impeller rotates, the coolant between the vanes is thrown outward by centrifugal force. The impeller shaft is supported by one or more sealed bearings. The sealed bearings never need to be lubricated. Grease cannot leak out, dirt and water cannot get in as long as the seal is not damaged or worn.

The purpose of the water pump is to circulate coolant throughout the cooling system. The water pump is driven by the crankshaft via the drive belt.

Thermostat

The thermostat is a coolant flow control component. Its purpose is to regulate the operating temperature of the engine. It utilizes a temperature sensitive wax-pellet element. The element connects to a valve through a piston. When the element is heated, it expands and exerts pressure against a rubber diaphragm. This pressure forces the valve to open. As the element is cooled, it contracts. This contraction allows a spring to push the valve closed.

When the coolant temperature is below the rated thermostat opening temperature, the thermostat valve remains closed. This prevents circulation of the coolant to the radiator and allows the engine to warm up quickly. After the coolant temperature reaches rated thermostat opening temperature, the thermostat valve will open. The coolant is then allowed to circulate through the thermostat to the radiator where the engine heat is dissipated to the atmosphere. The thermostat also provides a restriction in the cooling system, even after it has opened. This restriction creates a pressure difference which prevents cavitation at the water pump and forces coolant to circulate through the engine block.

Engine Oil Heat Exchanger

The engine oil heat exchanger is mounted to the top of the engine block, under the intake manifold flange. Oil is pumped through the oil cooler inlet pipe to the heat exchanger, back through the oil cooler outlet pipe, and then to the oil passages in the engine for lubrication. The exchanger provides the following 2 functions:

•	Engine coolant warms up faster than the engine oil. During cold operation, the coolant warms the oil and provides better flow during cold engine operation.

•	After the engine reaches normal operating temperature, the engine oil temperature will exceed the engine coolant temperature. The coolant flowing through the engine oil cooler will absorb heat from the engine oil. Cooling the engine oil extends oil life and helps reduce internal engine wear.

Transmission Oil Cooler-Two Fan System

Notice: The transmission oil cooler system uses quick connect fittings throughout the system. Use a special tool to disconnect these quick connect fittings. Removing the transmission oil cooler lines without this tool will result in damage to the radiator, the transmission, and the transmission oil cooler caused by mixing the transmission oil and coolant or due to transmission oil loss.

The transmission oil cooler is a heat exchanger located in the bottom tank of the radiator. The transmission oil temperature is regulated by the temperature of the coolant leaving the radiator and passing over the heat exchanger. Lines from the transmission bring oil pumped at a high pressure to the cooler and back to the transmission.

Transmission Oil Cooler-Three Fan System

There are two transmission oil coolers in a series in the heavy duty transmission oil cooler system. The initial transmission oil cooler is a heat exchanger located in the bottom tank of the radiator. The transmission oil temperature is partially regulated by the temperature of the coolant leaving the radiator and passing over the heat exchanger. Lines from the transmission bring oil pumped at a high pressure to the cooler. The oil out of the cooler is plumbed to an air-to-oil cooler in front of the A/C condenser. This cooler provides additional cooling for heavy duty trailering. The transmission oil is then directed back to the transmission.

Power Steering Oil Cooler

Some vehicles are equipped with a power steering oil cooler located either between the radiator and condenser (Heavy Duty) or in front of the engine. This cooler transfers heat from the power steering system to the air passing through the condenser and radiator. The cooler uses constant tension clamps on the hose connections to the cooler.