P0480 Cooling fan 1 control circuit fault: the computer commanded the fan and did not see the expected response

Cooling fan 1 control circuit

P0480 in short

P0480 means the computer found a problem in the control circuit for cooling fan 1. A bad relay, blown fuse, damaged wiring or the fan itself are the usual causes. Fans that fail to run can lead to overheating, so have it checked soon and watch the temperature gauge.

The engine computer switches the cooling fan on through a relay or driver and watches the circuit. P0480 sets when the circuit does not behave as commanded, so the fan can be stuck on, never turn on, or turn on intermittently.

KBB lists a faulty fan relay or fan, a bad coolant sensor, wiring or connector faults, a blown fuse and battery or ground problems. Because the fan keeps the engine cool at idle and in traffic, the risk is overheating.

Carmakers have bulletins for this code: GM calls for a revised relay and harness on the 2006-2011 Impala and water-damaged harness on the 2016 Camaro, Ford points to a fuse and chafed harness on the 2017-2019 Escape and a new pinpoint test on Super Duty trucks, and Chrysler has a software update for the 2015 200.

Most likely causes

  1. Faulty fan relay or damaged fan wiring

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    KBB lists a faulty fan relay and wiring or connector faults first; GM replaces the relay and harness assembly on the 2006-2011 Impala and the harness on the 2016 Camaro.
    What would change this
    Rises if the relay clicks without the fan turning or the harness is damaged or wet. Falls if relay, fuse and harness test good.

  2. Open fuse or chafed power wiring

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Ford SSM 48895 describes an open fuse F34 with P0480 on 2017-2019 Escape and chafed wiring where retainers were left out; KBB also lists blown fuses.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fan fuse is open or the harness shows rub marks. Falls if the fuse is intact and power is present.
    How to test the underhood fuse block (engine compartment fuse box)

  3. Failed fan motor or fan clutch assembly

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    KBB lists a faulty cooling fan; Ford asks technicians to use a new pinpoint test before replacing a fan clutch on Super Duty, and FCA asks dealers to contact engineering before replacing a 2.4L Cherokee fan.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fan will not spin with direct power applied. Falls if the fan runs when powered directly.

  4. Engine computer software (Chrysler 200 3.6L)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Chrysler bulletin 18-059-15 Rev A lists P0480 among items improved by a computer software update on the 2015 Chrysler 200 3.6L.
    What would change this
    Rises if you own a 2015 200 3.6L and no hardware fault is found. Falls if it is another vehicle or hardware tests bad.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

  5. Faulty coolant temperature sensor

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    KBB lists a defective coolant temperature sensor as a possible cause because it tells the computer when to command the fan.
    What would change this
    Rises if the temperature reading is wrong or the fans act oddly. Falls if the sensor reads accurately.
    How to test the engine coolant temperature (ect) sensor

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read all stored codes and note whether the fans run at all, stay on, or run only sometimes. Check the coolant level only when the engine is cold.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfFans never run or the temperature gauge climbs

      It meansTreat it as an overheating risk and avoid driving.

      Go to step 2

    • IfFans stay on after shutdown or run all the time

      It meansCheck the relay and wiring for a stuck circuit.

      Go to step 2

    • IfFans run normally and the code is intermittent

      It meansCheck for a wiring fault or a software bulletin.

      Go to step 2

  2. Check the cooling fan fuse and relay, and inspect the fan harness and connectors for water, chafing or damage.

    Low riskTool: test light or multimeter, flashlight

  3. Command the fan with a scan tool or apply power and ground directly, following the vehicle pinpoint test.

    Use cautionTool: scan tool with output controls, fused jumper leads

    Warning:Keep hands and tools away from the fan blades, because the fan can start without warning.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Fans never run or run constantly
  • Temperature gauge climbing at idle or in traffic Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • A/C blows warm at idle
  • Poor fuel economy

How to fix

  1. Check that the fan runs when the engine is hot and the A/C is on, from a safe distance.

  2. Look at the fan fuse and relay in the underhood fuse block.

Parts and cost context

  • Underhood fuse block (engine compartment fuse box):A blown fuse or relay in the fuse block is the cheap first check, but find out why it failed. Get a quote for harness repairs.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Chevrolet

  • 2006–2011 · Impala

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM bulletin 09-06-03-007A ties P0480 with a hot gauge to dead or intermittent fans and prescribes a revised relay and harness. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2016 · Camaro

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM PIC6160B ties P0480 to water in the forward lamp harness on the 2016 Camaro. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 09-06-03-007AStatus unverified

    MIL with P0480 or P0481, cooling fans intermittent or dead

    2006–2011impala · NHTSA 10043844

    GM says the fix is a revised cooling fan relay and harness assembly.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIC6160BStatus unverified

    Cooling fan inoperative with P0480 or P0691

    2016camaro · NHTSA 10113902

    Inspect the forward lamp harness for water intrusion and replace damaged components.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

  • 2017–2019 · Escape

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford SSM 48895 ties P0480 and an open fuse F34 to chafed wiring on 1.5L and 2.0L Escapes. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 2016–2019 · F-250 Super Duty

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford SSM 47999 gives updated pinpoint test AH for a fan that is on or dead with P0480 on 6.7L Super Duty. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • SSM 47999Status unverified

    Fan always on or inoperative with P0480 and related codes

    2016–2019f-250-super-duty, f-350-super-duty, f-450-super-duty · NHTSA 10160939

    Use updated pinpoint test AH to avoid unnecessary fan clutch replacement.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • SSM 48895Status unverified

    Fuse F34 open with P0480, P0481 and P2681

    2017–2019escape · NHTSA 10176943

    Inspect the harness from the battery junction box to the PCM for missing retainers that allow chafing, and repair the wiring.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chrysler

  • 2015 · 200

    Supported by vehicle data

    Chrysler bulletin 18-059-15 Rev A lists P0480 in a 3.6L software update. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 18-059-15 Rev AStatus unverified

    3.6L powertrain software update lists P0480

    2015200 · NHTSA 10159938

    A software update for the engine computer; P0480 is one item in its improvement list.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Jeep

  • 2015–2017 · Cherokee

    Supported by vehicle data

    FCA bulletin 9003826 asks dealers to contact engineering before replacing a 2.4L Cherokee fan. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

  • 9003826Status unverified

    2.4L cooling fan inoperative or P0480

    2015–2017cherokee · NHTSA 10216279

    Dealers are told to contact engineering before replacing the fan; parts are returned for analysis.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0481Cooling fan 2 control circuit fault

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    P0481 is the fan 2 control circuit code. GM and Ford bulletins and a Mustang owner report P0480 and P0481 together.

All Engine cooling (thermostat) codes

P0480 questions

Can I drive with P0480?

Only with great care. If the fan is not working the engine can overheat in traffic, so watch the temperature gauge and stop if it climbs.

Is it the fan or the relay?

Either can cause it, and so can a fuse or wiring. Test the fuse and relay and power the fan directly before buying a fan.

Sources and review

  1. P0480 code page (OBD-II codes) — Kelley Blue Book
  2. GM bulletin 09-06-03-007A (NHTSA 10043844): 2006-2011 Impala MIL with P0480 or P0481, fans intermittent — General Motors
  3. GM PIC6160B (NHTSA 10113902): 2016 Camaro cooling fan inoperative with P0480 or P0691 — General Motors
  4. Ford SSM 48895 (NHTSA 10176943): 2017-2019 Escape fuse F34 open with P0480 and other codes — Ford Motor Company
  5. Ford SSM 47999 (NHTSA 10160939): 2016-2019 Super Duty 6.7L fan always on or inoperative with P0480 — Ford Motor Company
  6. FCA bulletin 9003826 (NHTSA 10216279): 2015-2017 Cherokee 2.4L cooling fan — Chrysler Group
  7. Chrysler bulletin 18-059-15 Rev A (NHTSA 10159938): 2015 Chrysler 200 3.6L software flash — Chrysler Group
  8. NHTSA complaint ODI 11531903: Ford Mustang 2005, P0480 fan 1 and P0481 fan 2 control circuit — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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