Cooling fan stays on?

Tiny
RDOYLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 SATURN VUE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 61,000 MILES
2007 Saturn Vue with a V6. There are two fans behind the radiator which continue to run after car is turned off. I have gone inside to come out an hour later to hear them turn on, then turn off or I will get out of the vehicle after stopping and turning the engine off and hear them continue to run. Today walked out to a dead battery for the first time, put a portable charger on it, and fans turned on. Could not get it to turn over on the small portable because fans were pulling all of the juice. Eventually jumped it with another vehicle, drove it with two stops. No problem yet.
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Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 AT 9:41 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,758 POSTS
There are 3 relays that control the various speeds. Apparently one of them is sticking on. 2 of them are in the power distribution box in the engine compartment. When they stick on I would try removing them one at a time and see if one of them shuts the fans off.
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Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 AT 10:43 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Just to add a little on this diagnoses I would see if you have any fan code's here is the trouble tree for fans staying wrenchtech is right though remove the relay's one at a time and see if the fan's stop to see if there is a faulty relay.I posted a diagram showing you where the three relay's are the second diagram that show's the front of a vue the relay is call out number 3. Here is the trouble tree let me know what you find.
Cooling Fan Always On (3.5L)

Diagnostic Instructions

* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure. See: Testing and Inspection Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview Diagnostic Starting Point - Vehicle
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Circuit/System Description

The powertrain control module (PCM) commands the fans ON in high speed or low speed. In low speed, the fans are configured in series. In high speed, the fans are configured in parallel.

In low speed operation, the PCM applies ground to the coil side of the low speed relay. Voltage is applied directly to the left cooling fan through the switch side of the low speed relay. The right fan is connected in series to the left fan through the de-energized series/parallel relay so that both fans operate at low speed.

In high speed operation, the PCM applies a ground to the coil side of the low speed relay, the series/parallel relay, and the high speed relay. Voltage is applied directly to the right cooling fan through the switch side of the high speed relay. The left cooling fan obtains voltage through the low speed relay and ground through the series/parallel relay.

When the PCM is commanding a fan relay ON, the voltage of the control circuit should be low, near 0 volts. When the PCM is commanding a fan relay OFF, the voltage of the control circuit should be high, near battery voltage. If the PCM detects that the actual voltage of the relay control circuit is different than the expected voltage, DTC P0480 or P0481 will set and the affected PCM driver will be disabled.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Cooling Schematics

Connector End View Reference

* Cooling System Component Views
* Cooling System Connector End Views
* Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Cooling Fan Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

* Circuit Testing
* Connector Repairs
* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
* Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

* Scan Tool Data List
* Scan Tool Data Definitions
* Scan Tool Output Controls

Circuit/System Verification

1. Verify that the following DTCs are not set: P0480, P0481.

O If any of the DTCs are set, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle. See: Powertrain Management Computers and Control Systems Testing and Inspection Diagnostic Trouble Code Descriptions Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle

2. Ignition ON, verify with a scan tool that the PCM is not commanding fan activation.
3. Ignition ON, observe that the fans are not activated.

Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the relays.
2. Ignition ON, observe that the fans are not activated.

O If the fans are not activated, replace the faulty relay.
O If a fan is activated, test the fan voltage supply circuits for a short to voltage.

Repair Instructions

* Cooling Fan and Shroud Replacement (L61) Cooling Fan and Shroud Replacement (L66) Cooling Fan and Shroud Replacement (LAT)
* Engine Cooling Fan Replacement (L66)
* Powertrain Control Module Replacement

Repair Verification

1. Ignition ON, verify with a scan tool that the PCM is not commanding fan activation.
2. Ignition ON, observe that the fan is not activated.
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Thursday, January 20th, 2011 AT 1:17 AM
Tiny
KARHAT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 SATURN VUE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 66,000 MILES
My engine cooling fan is on high all the time, from when the car engine is turned on until it is turned off, regardless of engine temp. It occasionally stays on even after the car has been turned off. After recently changing the battery, the fan began operating normally. After roughly 100 miles of driving, it started doing the same problem again. This has been going on for more than a year.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Have you tested the cooling fan relay(s)? Coolant level good? Is your coolant gauge showing normal or is it showing overheating?
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BASSTECH
  • MEMBER
  • 236 POSTS
Sometimes the fans will run if theres is an engine problem. Is the check engine light on? It could also be a programing glitch that runs the fans, you may need to have the BCM or the ECM reprogramed if no problems are found with the cooling fan control module located by the battery.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PANSATDISHMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2002 SATURN VUE
  • 105,000 MILES
I have an 02 Saturn Vue AWD V6 AWD, it's a earlier model so it only has one fan relay,
My problem is the fan turns on when it is suppose to but it does not shut off on it's own
I have already replaced all the relays, fuses, thermostat and engine coolant temperature sensor
I can get the fan going when I turn ac on or when its in defrost mode or when it reaches about half but then cools down to a little over a quarter but fan remains running until I turn the key off and turn it back on no service engine soon lights or service wrench lights, ac works cold and all speed settings work fine.
Any ideas as i'm lost, I read about a fan control module and possible a corroded wire or ground there?
I have no idea an d i'm lost
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Then let a shop put a scan tool on it to monitor the command from the bcm. If it is not being commanded off, it may be a bad bcm.

Roy
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PANSATDISHMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay but wouldn't there be more issues then just the fan not shutting off? Also where is the fan control module as I would like to test the wires?
Thanks for your knowledge
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I cannot find any control module for the fan as it is contained in the computers.

Roy
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PANSATDISHMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Alright thanks, could any wiring issues cause this and if so what would you think it could be bad ground at splice pack?
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Just to add to this one the body control module doesnt control the radiator fan on that vue. It only controls the low coolant sensor input to turn the light on the cluster when there is low coolant. The ecm controls the fan relay turn on. So you must have the early built 2002 vue with one fan relay?You really need to have the computer scanned for codes even though the check engine light is not on. If we get a code it code help really cut down the diagnoses time. If you have any codes please post the exact code numbers not code descriptions.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
X2006NZL
  • MEMBER
  • 41 POSTS
  • 2002 SATURN VUE
Hello all I have a V6 3.0L 2002 Saturn Vue AWD
Recently I was having problems with my radiator fan, it would not shut off so I swapped out ecms it shuts off on it's own however now I am having the following problem:
The engine gives me the codes
P0700-Transmission Control System Malfunction
P1780-Park/Neutral Position [PNP] Switch Circuit
P2105-Throttle Actuator Control (TAC) System - Forced Engine Shutdown
P0335-CKP Sensor A Circuit Performance
and the engine shuts off, any idea what this could be I read it may be the crankshaft position sensor?
Thanks
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PANSATDISHMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I'm going to try a used ecm as theres no codes
thanks for the help
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Yes, crank position sensor is the likely cause. You need to get that checked first as engine performance trouble codes takes precedence over others.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
If the problem was not there prior to swapping the PCM, recheck the PCM wire connectors. It could be a bad PCM as well.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Just to add to this did you have any of this codes or problems before swapping the ecm?Also when it shuts off will it restart right away or do you have let it cool bfore it will restart?You can check the crankshaft sensor with a multimeter on those. Do you have a multimeter?Also those vues had issues with the throttle body asssemblies and the harness going to them.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
X2006NZL
  • MEMBER
  • 41 POSTS
Thanks for the help replaced crankshaft sensor, however with the other ecm I did 30 minuter relearn procedure and can get it to start, fans work normal etc, however no throttle and tansmission acts weird is there more relearn procedures required when using a used ecm for the 02 vue?
Thanks
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
The throttle relearn is you just turn the key to the run position position dont start and let it sit for about 1 min. That and the pass lock relearn are the only two I can think of. Did this used ecm come out of the same year etc vue?Also what if you put the old ecm back in does everything work normal again?Usually when those fans stay on its the fan relay sticking.
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Monday, July 13th, 2020 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)

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