2003 Sunfire : Radiator Fan fuse blowing, Code P0480 Cooling Fan 1 Control Circuit

[Duckworth]

Hello,

I have a 2003 Pontiac Sunfire with 2.2L Ecotech engine.

The 30 Amp fuse for the radiator fan has started blowing regularly (a few minutes to a week).

The Code the OBD2 system returns is P0480 - Cooling Fan 1 Control Circuit.

Most of my driving to and from work or shopping ... is within 15 to 20 minutes distance ... but not all driving.

I would be curious if any one can give me any troubleshooting tips?

What should I be checking or looking for?

If it's a short would a DC Clamp Ammeter help find where it is?

Thanks for your time,
Bobby

ps - I have a second problem with the car but it's on the back burner until this one is handled ...

sometimes when the car is running and the air selector switch is set to anything other than recirculate ...
I will get a loud tick (about two to three times a second) from something under the dashboard near the passenger seat airbag ... (not the door speaker)
it sounds like someone connecting and disconnecting a DC powered wire to a speaker ...
If I leave the system on recirculate for a few minutes then I can move the air selector to any other position and this doesn't happen again for a few days.

 

[Zimgxp]

Sounds like a short, or the fan motor is going out. Look for a bare or pinched wire in the fan circut.

 

[Duckworth]

Alldata or Mitchell?

Would it be worth getting an Alldata or Mitchell DIY subscription?

Which one would be more useful?

Thanks,
Bobby

 

[Duckworth]

Isolated each component one by one ... it was the fan

Hello,

Each component was isolated one by one ...

and it turned out to be the radiator fan ... can only be removed with the car jacked up pretty high ... good design for the backyard mechanic ...

Thanks for everyone's help,
Bobby

______________________________

 

[Whiteannerdy86]

Started my google search for this exact problem. Same exact car/year/engine.

This started a while ago but at first it have generic codes that seemed unrelated and tonight it finally read this P0480 code. Quick tap into google and here I am.


Anyway when this issue started for my wife's car last year I determined theire was an issue with the rad fan motor and ended up replacing it. The OP is right that GM sure F***ed the small mechanic on space to remove/install this part. Ohwell got her done and now the problem is back. I'm gonna go pickup a replacement relay for this next week when I have time. She barely drives the car, so replacing a few more fuses until next week isn't bad.

This week was fun cause the aero belt came off(really no space) and the washer pump line split again near the battery(poor routing location by GM design), around the battery next to the fuse box, poorly secured so that road vibrations can wear it out. Seems like the best area to route a cheap washer pump line right?

So back to google for me now to see if I can find more similar situations/repairs. If anyone has experience with this please through in your 2 cents.

Thanks.

 

[melsg5]

you have read links similar to this?
http://engine-codes.com/p0480_pontiac.html

 

[Whiteannerdy86]

I have read a few things similar to your link. I also have a friend who's a heavy duty mechanic so he's weighed in his thoughts. I originally thought it was a grounding connection as it only seems to pop when the ac is on and the car is moving. My OBD2 scanner recorded a speed of 64kmph when it recorded the code, it wasn't rough surface. Pretty decent payment but I assume the regular road vibrations is enough to jiggle an exposed line.

This is one small area to go digging around in. Hard to trace wires. I got done basic wiring diagrams for the relay setup, haven't tried to locate the PCM wire on the back of the engine yet though.

Once I locate the other ends of these connections I can check for grounding.

Another issue that was thought but not yet proven was the ac pressure sensor could be shot because the AC compressor always runs without cutting out(inside dials on). The AC clutch engages and disengages no problem so it's not stuck, it justly get a signal requesting it to cut out. I doubt it's overloading circuit as we let the car run in +28 weather parked with full AC for 40 mins and it never popped the fuse. More the reason to believe I got an exposed wire near battery fuse box or one coming off the PCM. Anywhere the line can be shook around during travel.