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For 1990-2009 cars only

Cooling Fan Always On 2.4

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.

Circuit/System Description

The engine cooling fan system consists of one cooling fan and one relay. The relay is powered by the battery positive voltage circuit and controlled by a switched ground from the engine control module (ECM).

During operation, the ECM supplies the ground path for the cooling fan relay, which is relay 1, through the cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the cooling fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the cooling fan fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the cooling fan. The cooling fan motor is grounded through its own ground circuit.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Cooling Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Component Connector End Views
    •  Electrical Center Identification Views

Description and Operation

Cooling Fan Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. If DTC P0480 is set, perform that diagnostic first.
  2. Ignition ON, verify with a scan tool that the ECM is not commanding fan activation.
  3. Ignition ON, observe that the fan is not activated.

Circuit/System Testing

Important: You must perform the Circuit/System Verification before proceeding with Circuit/System Testing.

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the relay.
  2. Ignition ON, observe that the fan is not activated.
  3. If the fan is not activated, replace the relay.
    If the fan is activated, test the fan voltage supply circuit for a short to voltage.

Repair Instructions

    •  Cooling Fan and Shroud Replacement
    •  Fan Shroud Replacement
    •  Engine Control Module Replacement for the 2.2L engine
    •  Engine Control Module Replacement for the 2.4L engine

Repair Verification

  1. Ignition ON, verify with a scan tool that the ECM is not commanding fan activation.
  2. Ignition ON, observe that the fan is not activated.

Cooling Fan Always On 2.0

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.

Circuit/System Description

The engine cooling fan is a variable speed fan. The engine control module (ECM) controls the fan speed by sending a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the cooling fan control module. The cooling fan control module varies the voltage drop across the engine cooling fan motor in relation to the pulse width modulated signal. The cooling fan speed can be adjusted from 10 percent to 90 percent duty cycle. 90-94 percent is considered high speed fan.

The ECM monitors the voltage on the cooling fan speed control circuit driver output. Voltage is near B+ when the driver is OFF, and near ground when the driver is ON. If the difference between the actual and expected voltage exceeds a calibrated value, a DTC will set.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Cooling Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Cooling Fan Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

  1. If DTCs P0480, P0691, or P0692 are set, perform that diagnostic first.
  2. Ignition ON, verify with a scan tool that the ECM is not commanding fan activation.
  3. Ignition ON, observe that the fan is not activated.
  4. If the fan is activated, replace the cooling fan assembly.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Cooling Fan and Shroud Replacement after completing the diagnostic procedure.

Repair Verification

  1. Ignition ON, verify with a scan tool that the ECM is not commanding fan activation.
  2. Ignition ON, observe that the fan is not activated.