P0480 to P0485: cooling fan control
A radiator cooling fan's control circuit (fan 1, 2 or 3), its power or ground, its current or its plausibility check has failed.
SeverityHighCarrying on can cause expensive damage, so deal with it now.
Can you keep driving?Only as far as the workshopWhat does P0480 mean?
At low speed and in traffic there is not enough air through the radiator, so electric fans pull it through. The engine computer or a fan module switches them according to coolant temperature and the air conditioning. These codes mean it cannot drive a fan as commanded, or the fan is not doing what it was told. A fan that does not run is how an engine that is fine at speed overheats in traffic.
What causes P0480?
- A failed fan relay or fan control module
- A blown fuse, often after a fan motor has seized
- A worn fan motor drawing too much current
- A broken wire or corroded connector, or a poor ground
What to check first for P0480
- Watch the temperature gauge in traffic and listen for the fan
- Switch on the air conditioning with the engine running: on most cars the fan should start
- Check the fan fuses and relays
- Spin the fan by hand with the engine off and cold: it should turn freely
Can you drive with P0480?
Drive only to a workshop and watch the temperature gauge. Avoid traffic jams and idling; if the temperature rises, stop as soon as it is safe and switch off before the engine overheats.
In states with an OBD-II emissions inspection, a car with the check engine light on fails the test until the fault is fixed.
Codes on this page
- P0480Fan 1 Control Circuit
- P0481Fan 2 Control Circuit
- P0482Fan 3 Control Circuit
- P0483Fan Rationality Check
- P0484Fan Circuit Over Current
- P0485Fan Power/Ground Circuit
Related codes
Checked on · Rafael Soares
These are the generic meanings every manufacturer shares. Each brand adds its own detail, so your car's handbook, its service information and a qualified mechanic have the last word. OdoKeep has no connection with any manufacturer, and the app does not read codes from the car.
