P0481 Cooling fan 2 control circuit fault

Cooling fan 2 control circuit

P0481 in short

P0481 means the engine computer found a fault in the control circuit for cooling fan 2. Common causes are the fan relay, a blown fuse, wiring or ground faults and a failing fan motor. The engine can overheat in traffic or with the A/C on. Get it inspected soon, and stop if the temperature gauge climbs.

Most cars use one or two electric fans to pull air through the radiator when driving speed alone is not enough, such as in traffic or with the A/C on. The engine computer switches them through relays or a fan control module.

P0481 sets when what the computer commands on the fan 2 circuit does not match what it sees. Which fan or speed is fan 2 depends on the vehicle, so check the service information.

A fan motor that is wearing out can draw too much current, blow its fuse and damage the relay, so a blown fuse or failed relay is often a sign of a deeper problem. Find out why the fuse blew before just replacing it.

Most likely causes

  1. Failed cooling fan relay or relay connection

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    The relay is the part the computer switches directly, so a failed relay or a burnt relay connection is a common reason for the code. GM's fix for P0480/P0481 on the 2006-2011 Impala is a revised relay and harness.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fan runs when the relay is swapped with an identical one or bypassed by a shop; falls if the relay clicks and passes power.

  2. Blown fan fuse or chafed wiring

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM (2005 Equinox) and Ford (2017-2018 Escape) both link P0481 to an open fan fuse; on the Escape, chafed wiring near the battery junction box blew the fuse.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fan fuse is open; a fuse that blows again points to a short or a failing fan motor.
    How to test the underhood fuse block (engine compartment fuse box)

  3. Failing or seized cooling fan motor

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Owners of 2015-2017 Jeep Renegade and Ram ProMaster City models report P0481 with fan motors that burnt out, ran noisily or failed soon after a relay replacement.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fan is noisy, hard to turn by hand with the engine off, or draws high current; a recurring blown fuse points here.

  4. Damaged wiring, connector or ground in the fan circuit

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Corroded connectors, poor grounds and damaged wiring can stop the command or the fan current getting through.
    What would change this
    Rises if the connector is burnt or corroded, or voltage drop tests fail.

  5. Coolant temperature sensor input

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    The computer decides when to run the fans from engine temperature, so a bad temperature reading can affect fan control. Test it before replacing.
    What would change this
    Rises if the scan tool temperature reading does not match the actual engine temperature.
    How to test the engine coolant temperature (ect) sensor

  6. Engine computer fault

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    A failed fan driver in the engine computer is possible but rare; rule out the relay, fuse, fan and wiring first.
    What would change this
    Only rises once everything else tests good.
    How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

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

  1. Read the codes, then watch the temperature gauge or the scan tool coolant temperature at idle with the A/C on.

    Low riskTool: scan tool

    Warning:Switch off at once if the gauge nears hot. The electric cooling fan can start at any time, even with the engine and key off. Keep hands, tools and clothing clear of the fan.

    • IfTemperature climbs and the fans do not run

      It meansThe fan circuit is not working; stop before it overheats.

      Go to step 2

    • IfFans run and temperature stays normal

      It meansThe fault may be intermittent; check the fuse and relay.

      Go to step 2

  2. With the engine off, check the cooling fan fuses in the underhood fuse box against the owner's manual, including the correct rating.

    Low riskTool: owner's manual, fuse tester

    Warning:Replace a fuse only with one of the rating listed for your vehicle. The electric cooling fan can start at any time, even with the engine and key off. Keep hands, tools and clothing clear of the fan.

  3. With the engine off, swap the fan 2 relay with an identical relay from the fuse box (check the diagram first), then see if the fan works when commanded or when the engine warms up.

    Use cautionTool: owner's manual or service information

    Warning:The electric cooling fan can start at any time, even with the engine and key off. Keep hands, tools and clothing clear of the fan.

  4. Have a shop command the fan with a scan tool, measure the fan motor's current draw and test the control, power and ground circuits.

    Best left to a shopTool: scan tool with output controls, multimeter, clamp meter, wiring diagram

    Warning:Fans can start without warning during testing, and the engine and coolant can be hot.

Symptoms

  • Cooling fan does not run, or runs only at one speed
  • A/C blows warmer at idle
  • Fan noise or a fan that runs after shutdown
  • Temperature gauge climbing or coolant temperature warning Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Burning smell or smoke from the fan area Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Write down the stored codes and freeze-frame data before clearing anything.

  2. Until it is fixed, avoid long idling, slow traffic and towing, and watch the temperature gauge.

  3. If a fan fuse blew, replace it only with the rating listed in your owner's manual; if it blows again, stop and have the fan and wiring tested.

    Warning:The electric cooling fan can start at any time, even with the engine and key off. Keep hands, tools and clothing clear of the fan.

Parts and cost context

  • Underhood fuse block (engine compartment fuse box):A burnt relay socket or a repeatedly blown fan fuse usually means the fan motor is drawing too much current; replacing only the relay or fuse may not last.

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 installs a revised cooling fan relay and harness for P0480/P0481 with intermittent fans (09-06-03-007A).

  • 2005 · Equinox

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM links intermittent P0481 to an open COOL FAN HI fuse (3141). Find out why the fuse blew.

  • 09-06-03-007AStatus unverified

    GM 09-06-03-007A: P0480/P0481 with hot temperature gauge and intermittent fans

    2006–2011impala · issued · NHTSA 10043844

    On the 2006-2011 Impala with P0480 and/or P0481, a hot temperature gauge and intermittent or inoperative cooling fans, GM installs a revised cooling fan relay and harness.

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

  • 3141Status unverified

    GM 3141: intermittent P0481 with the COOL FAN HI fuse open

    2005equinox · NHTSA 10010004

    Intermittent P0481 on the 2005 Equinox with the COOL FAN HI 25 A fuse open. NHTSA's summary does not give the root cause.

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

Ford

  • 2017–2018 · Escape · 1.5L EcoBoost, 2.0L EcoBoost

    Supported by vehicle data

    Ford links an open fuse F34 with P0481 to chafed wiring near the battery junction box (SSM 47086).

  • SSM 47086Status unverified

    Ford SSM 47086: fuse F34 open with P0480/P0481 from chafed wiring

    2017–2018escape · 1.5L EcoBoost, 2.0L EcoBoost · issued · NHTSA 10136602

    On 2017-2018 Escape 1.5L/2.0L built on or before 24 Jan 2018, chafed wiring near the battery junction box and brake vacuum pump can blow fuse F34 and set P0480, P0481 and other codes; repair the wiring.

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

Jeep

  • 2015–2017 · Renegade

    Supported by vehicle data

    Owners report P0481 with burnt-out or noisy cooling fan motors, blown fan fuses and overheating. Check the fan motor and the fuse rating listed for your engine and A/C option.

Ram

  • 2015 · Promaster City

    Supported by vehicle data

    An owner reports the fan failed and the engine overheated soon after a relay was replaced for P0481. Have the fan motor tested as well as the relay.

  • P0217The engine computer has detected an engine over-temperature condition

    Primary / secondary Common general cause

    Likely primary: P0481. If the fan does not run when needed the engine can overheat and set P0217. Fix the fan circuit and check for overheating damage.

All Engine cooling (thermostat) codes

P0481 questions

Can I drive with P0481?

Gently and for short distances, as long as the temperature gauge stays normal. At highway speed air flow may keep the engine cool, but in traffic or with the A/C on it can overheat quickly. If the gauge climbs, pull over and switch off.

Sources and review

  1. P0481: Cooling Fan 2 Control Circuit — Kelley Blue Book
  2. GM 09-06-03-007A: P0480/P0481, hot temperature gauge, cooling fans intermittent or inoperative, 2006-2011 Impala — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  3. Causes of Engine Overheating — AA1Car.com (Larry Carley, automotive technical writer)
  4. 2023 Integra Owner's Manual: How to Handle Overheating — American Honda Motor Co.
  5. Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U, 2.5L A25A-FKS / 3.5L 2GR-FKS) — Toyota
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 11669186: 2017 Jeep Renegade, P0481 with a blown cooling fan fuse, overheating and smoke — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file) ,
  7. NHTSA complaint ODI 11020429: 2015 Ram ProMaster City, dealer replaced the fan relay for P0481, then the fan failed and the engine overheated — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file) ,
  8. NHTSA complaint ODI 11015852: 2015 Jeep Renegade, P0481 with a burnt-out cooling fan motor — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file) ,
  9. GM 3141: intermittent P0481 with the COOL FAN HI 25 A fuse open, 2005 Equinox — General Motors / NHTSA
  10. Ford SSM 47086: fuse F34 open with P0480/P0481 and other codes from chafed wiring, 2017-2018 Escape — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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