GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Table 1: Electric Cooling Fan Functional Check
Table 2: Electric Cooling Fan Table #1
Table 3: Electric Cooling Fan Table #2
Table 4: Electric Cooling Fan Table #3

Object Number: 368995  Size: LF
Engine Controls Components
Cooling Fans
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description:

The cooling fans are controlled by the PCM based on various inputs. Ignition voltage is supplied to all three cooling fan relay coils. The PCM controls cooling fan relay # 1 by providing the ground path. The PCM controls cooling fan relays # 2 and # 3 together by providing a ground path. The left and right cooling fans are connected in series. This will enable both fans on low speed when the fan #1 relay is energized. When all three fan relays are energized, both fans will operate at high speed. The high speed is possible because the fan relays are wired in a parallel circuit. When the PCM detects that certain DTCs are set, the PCM will enable the cooling fans.

The PCM will enable the engine cooling fans when certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes are set. The PCM will also enable the cooling fans after the ignition is turned off. When engine coolant temperature exceeds 140°C (284°F) and the ignition is turned off, the cooling fans will be enabled on low speed.

Diagnostic Aids

If the owner complained of an overheating problem, determine if the complaint was due to an actual boil over, or the warning indicator light illuminated, or the engine coolant temperature gauge indicated overheating. The gauge accuracy can also be checked by comparing the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor reading using a scan tool and comparing its reading with the gauge reading. If the engine is actually overheating and the gauge indicated overheating, but the cooling fan is not coming ON, the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor has probably shifted out of calibration and should be replaced.

If the engine is overheating and the cooling fans are ON, the cooling system should be checked, refer to Engine Cooling.

The PCM will command low speed fans ON at 108°C (226°F) and OFF at 103°C (217°F) and, high speed fans ON at 113°C (235°F) and OFF at 108°C (226°F).

Test Description

The numbers below refer to numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. The PCM will enable the engine cooling fans when certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes are set. Go to applicable DTC Table first before proceeding with this table.

  2. Allow engine coolant temperature to cool below 100°C (212°F) before proceeding with diagnosis.

Electric Cooling Fan Functional Check

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Are any DTCs set?

--

Go to applicable DTC Table

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Engine coolant temperature must be below the specified value for all the fan diagnoses.
  3. Turn ON the Ignition, with the engine and A/C OFF.

Are the cooling fans OFF?

100°C (212°F)

Go to Step 4

Go to Cooling Fan table #1

4

With a scan tool, command the cooling fan relay #1 ON.

Are both cooling fans ON?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Cooling Fan table #2

5

With a scan tool, command cooling fan relays #1, #2, and #3 ON.

Do both cooling fans switch to high speed?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Cooling Fan table #3

6

  1. Wth a scan tool, exit outputs.
  2. Idle the engine leaving the A/C OFF.

Are the cooling fans ON?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

Turn ON the A/C.

Are the cooling fans ON?

--

System OK

Go to Step 9

8

Does the scan tool display A/C request as YES?

--

Go to Functional Check for further diagnosis of the A/C system.

Go to Step 10

9

Does the scan tool display A/C request as YES?

--

Go to Functional Check for further diagnosis of the A/C Refrigerant Pressure Sensor

Go to Functional Check for further diagnosis of the A/C system.

10

Important: Program the replacement PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Replace the PCM.

Is the action complete?

--

System OK

--

Electric Cooling Fan Table #1

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Cooling Fan Functional Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

2

Disconnect fan relay #1

Are both fans OFF?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 3

3

Disconnect fan relay #3

Are both fans OFF?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 10

4

  1. Disconnect the left fan.
  2. Probe terminal B of the left fan connector using a J 35616-200 test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 5

5

Probe terminal A of the left fan connector using a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test light illuminate?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 6

6

Probe the cooling fan relay 2 and 3 control circuit (473) at the cooling fan relay #3 connector location (C10) using a test lamp that is connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 13

7

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Leave the test lamp installed.
  3. Disconnect the PCM.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Is the test lamp still illuminated?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 16

8

Probe the cooling fan relay 1 control circuit (335) at the cooling fan relay #1 connector location (B1) using the test lamp that is connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 13

9

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Leave the test lamp installed.
  3. Disconnect the PCM.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Is the test lamp still illuminated?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 16

10

Repair the RH fan feed circuit (504) for a short to voltage. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

Go to Step 15

11

Repair the LH fan feed circuit (409) for a short to voltage. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

12

Repair the short to voltage in the relay #3 switch feed circuit (532). Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

13

Replace the cooling fan relay #1.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

14

Repair the relay 2 and 3 control circuit (473) or the relay 1 control circuit (335) for a short to ground. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

15

Replace the cooling fan relay #2.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

16

Important:: Program the replacement PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Replace the PCM.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

Electric Cooling Fan Table #2

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Cooling Fan Functional Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

2

Did either fan turn ON when cooling fan relay #1 was commanded ON?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. With a scan tool, command cooling fan relay #1 ON.

Did the other fan turn OFF?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 4

4

Disconnect fan relay #2.

Did the fan turn OFF?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

5

  1. With a scan tool, command cooling fan relay #1 ON.
  2. Disconnect fan relay #1.
  3. Probe the relay 1 control circuit (335) at the relay #1 connector location (B1) using a J 35616-200 test lamp that is connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 13

6

Probe both feed circuits (1640 and 402) at the relay 1 connector locations (B3 and C3) using a test lamp that is connected to ground.

Does test lamp illuminate for both circuits?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 22

7

Important: Leave jumper in place for remainder of this table.

Connect a fused jumper wire between the switch feed circuit (402) and the LH fan feed circuit (409) at the relay #1 connector locations (B3 and C1).

Do both fans turn ON?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Disconnect the left fan.
  2. Probe fan harness connector terminal B with a test lamp that is connected to a good ground,

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 24

9

Connect a second fused jumper wire between the fan harness connector terminals.

Is the right fan ON?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 10

10

  1. Reconnect the left fan.
  2. Disconnect fan relay #3.
  3. Probe the switch feed circuit (532) at the fan relay #3 connector location (C8) using a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 25

11

Using the second jumper wire, jumper the switch ignition feed circuit (532) and the RH fan feed circuit (504) together at relay #3 connector locations (B9 and C8).

Do the fans come ON?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 12

12

  1. Reconnect fan relay #3.
  2. Disconnect the right fan.
  3. Probe fan harness connector terminal B with a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Is the left fan ON?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 18

13

  1. Test lamp still connected.
  2. Turn OFF the ignition.
  3. Disconnect the PCM.
  4. Probe the cooling fan #1 relay control circuit at the PCM connector, with a fused jumper wire that is connected to a good ground.

Is the test lamp ON?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

14

Inspect the PCM connections. Repair faulty connections as necessary. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .

Did you find a problem and correct it?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

Go to Step 27

15

Repair the relay 1 control circuit (335) for an open or shorted to B+. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

16

Inspect the fan motor ground circuit for a open or the fan motor connections and repair as necessary. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs or Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

Go to Step 17

17

Replace the fan motor.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

18

Repair the RH fan feed circuit (504) for an open. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

19

Replace the fan which was not operating.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

20

Replace fan relay #2.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

21

Repair the relay #3 switch feed circuit (532) for a short to ground. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

Go to Step 26

22

Repair the open or the grounded circuit for the circuit that did not light. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

23

Replace fan relay #1.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

24

Repair the LH fan feed circuit (409) for a open. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

25

Repair the relay #3 switch feed circuit (532) for a open. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

26

Replace fan relay #3.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

27

Important: Program the replacement PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Replace the PCM.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

Electric Cooling Fan Table #3

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Cooling Fan Functional Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

2

  1. With a scan tool, command cooling fan relay #1 ON.
  2. Command cooling fan relays #1, #2, and #3 ON while observing the fans.

Did both fans operate with no change?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 3

3

Did the left fan stop operating?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Disconnect fan relay #2.
  2. Probe the relay 2 and 3 control circuit (473) at relay #2 connector location (B4) using a J 35616-200 test lamp that is connected to B+.
  3. Command cooling fan relay #2 and #3 ON using a scan tool.

Does the test lamp illuminate after several seconds?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 12

5

Probe the coil feed circuit (1640) at relay #2 connector location (C6) using a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 13

6

Probe the switch feed circuit (402) at the relay #2 connector location (C4) using a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 14

7

Jumper the switch ignition feed circuit (402) and the RH fan feed circuit (504) together at the relay #2 connector locations (C4 and B6).

Is the right fan ON?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 16

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the PCM.
  3. Disconnect fan relay #1.
  4. Jumper the switch feed circuit (402) and the LH fan feed circuit (409) together at the relay #1 connector locations (B3 and C1).
  5. Turn the ignition ON.
  6. Probe the PCM harness connector for the cooling fan relay #2 and #3 control with a fused jumper that is connected to a good ground.

Do the fans switch from low to high speed?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 17

9

  1. Disconnect fan relay #3.
  2. Probe the relay 2 and 3 control circuit (473) at the relay #3 connector location (C10) using a test lamp that is connected to B+.
  3. Command cooling fan relay #2 and #3 ON using a scan tool.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 18

10

Probe the ground circuit (150) at the relay #3 connector location (B10) using a test lamp that is connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 19

11

Probe the coil feed circuit (1640) at the relay #3 connector location (B8) using a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 21

12

Repair the relay 2 and 3 control circuit (473) for an open between fan relay #2 and the splice. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

13

Repair the open in the relay #2 coil feed circuit (1640). Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

14

Repair the open in the relay #2 switch feed circuit (402). Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

15

Replace the fan relay #2.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

16

Repair the open in the RH fan feed circuit (504) between fan relay #2 and the splice. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

17

Repair the fan 2 and 3 relay control circuit (473) for an open or for a short to B+. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

18

Repair the open in the fan 2 and 3 relay control circuit (473) between fan relay #3 and the splice. Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

19

Repair the open in the ground circuit (150). Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

20

Replace the fan relay #3.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

21

Repair the open in relay #3 coil feed circuit (1640). Refer to Wiring Repairs .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--

22

  1. Inspect the PCM connections. Refer to Testing for Intermittent and Poor Connections .
  2. Repair faulty connections as necessary. Refer to Connector Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

Go to Step 23

23

Important:: Program the replacement PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Replace the PCM.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Cooling Fan Functional Check

--