GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2003 🢒 L300/LW300 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0480 or P0481

Circuit Description
    • DTC P0480 is for the cooling fan 1 control circuit.
    • DTC P0481 is for the cooling fan 2 control circuit.

Battery positive voltage is supplied to the cooling fan control module from the COOL FAN #1 and COOL FAN #2 fuses. The PCM/ECM controls the relays in the cooling fan control module by grounding the cooling fan 1 and cooling fan 2 control circuits.

When the PCM/ECM is commanding a fan control circuit on, the voltage potential of the control circuit should be low, near 0 volts. When the PCM/ECM is not commanding the control circuit on, the voltage potential of the circuit should be high, near battery voltage. If the fault detection circuit senses a voltage other than what is expected, the DTC will set.

The PCM/ECM will monitor the control circuit for the following:

    • A short to ground
    • A short to voltage
    • An open circuit
    • An internally shorted or excessively low resistance cooling fan control module

When the PCM/ECM detects any of the above conditions, the DTC will set and the affected driver will be disabled.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • The ignition is ON.
    • System voltage is between 9-18 volts.
    • The control circuit is transitioned from OFF to ON or ON to OFF.

Conditions for Setting the DTC
    • The PCM/ECM detects an open, a short to ground or a short to voltage on the cooling fan control circuit.
    • The above conditions are present for at least 30 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The PCM/ECM will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test has been run and failed.
    • The PCM/ECM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Freeze Frame and Failure Records data.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The PCM/ECM will turn OFF the MIL during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.
    • The History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.
    • The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids
    • If the condition is not present, refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
    • Review the Freeze Frame/Failure Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed. This may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Engine Cooling Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Cooling System Connector End Views

1

Did you perform the Engine Cooling Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Cooling

2
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the cooling fan control module.
  3. Disconnect the PCM/ECM.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Test the appropriate control circuit of the cooling fan control module for a short to ground, short to voltage, high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 3

3
  1. Turn Off the ignition.
  2. Connect the PCM/ECM.
  3. Install a scan tool.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  5. Probe the appropriate control circuit of the cooling fan control module with a test lamp that is connected to voltage.
  6. With a scan tool, command the appropriate fan control circuit ON and OFF.

Does the test lamp turn ON and OFF with each command?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 8

4

Test the battery positive voltage circuits of the cooling fan control module for a short to ground, open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 5

5

Test the ignition 3 voltage supply circuit of the cooling fan control module for a short to ground, open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 6

6

Test the ground circuit of the cooling fan control module for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 7

7

Inspect for poor connections at the cooling fan control module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 9

8

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the PCM/ECM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

9

Replace the cooling fan control module. Refer to Cooling Fan Control Module Replacement in Engine Cooling.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 11

--

10

Important: Perform the programming procedure for the PCM/ECM.

Replace the ECM/PCM. Refer to the appropriate procedure:

    •  Engine Control Module Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.0L
    •  Powertrain Control Module Replacement in Engine Controls - 2.2L

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 11

--

11
  1. Use the scan tool in order to clear the DTCs.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC as specified in the supporting text.

Does the DTC reset?

Go to Step 2

System OK