Radiator Cooling Fan: Description and Operation
Cooling Fan Control - Two Fan System
The engine cooling fan system consists of 2 electrical cooling fans and 3 fan relays. The relays are arranged in a series/parallel configuration that allows the engine control module (ECM) to operate both fans together at low or high speeds. The cooling fans and fan relays receive battery positive voltage from the underhood fuse block. The ground path is provided at G104.
During low speed operation, the ECM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the low speed fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the low fan fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the left cooling fan. The ground path for the left cooling fan is through the cooling fan s/p relay and the right cooling fan. The result is a series circuit with both fans running at low speed.
During high speed operation the ECM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. After a 3 second delay, the ECM supplies a ground path for the high speed fan relay and the cooling fan s/p relay through the high speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the cooling fan s/p relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and provides a ground path for the left cooling fan. At the same time the high speed fan relay coil is energized closing the relay contacts and provides battery positive voltage from the high fan fuse on the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the right cooling fan. During high speed fan operation, both engine cooling fans have there own ground path. The result is a parallel circuit with both fans running at high speed.
The ECM commands the low speed cooling fans ON under the following conditions:
- Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 94.5°C (202°F).
- A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1447 kPa (210 psi).
- After the vehicle is shut OFF if the engine coolant temperature at key-off is greater than 101°C (214°F) the low speed fans will run for a minimum of 60 seconds After 60 seconds, if the coolant temperature drops below 101°C (214°F) the fans will shut OFF. The fans will automatically shut OFF after 3 min. regardless of coolant temperature.
The ECM commands the high speed fans ON under the following conditions:
- Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 104.25°C (220°F).
- A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds approximately 1824 kPa (265 psi).
- When certain DTCs set. At idle and very low vehicle speeds the cooling fans are only allowed to increase in speed if required. This insures idle stability by preventing the fans from cycling between high and low speed.
Cooling Fan Control - Three Fan System
The engine cooling fan system consists of 3 electrical cooling fans and 4 fan relays. The low speed, high speed, and s/p relays are arranged in a series/parallel configuration that allows the ECM to operate the left cooling fan and right cooling fan together at low or high speeds. The cooling fans and fan relays receive battery positive voltage from the underhood fuse block. The ground path is provided at G104.
During low speed operation, the ECM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the low speed fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the low fan fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the left cooling fan. The ground path for the left cooling fan is through the cooling fan s/p relay and the right cooling fan. The result is a series circuit with both fans running at low speed.
During high speed operation the ECM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. After a 3 second delay, the ECM supplies a ground path for the high speed fan relay and the cooling fan s/p relay through the high speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the cooling fan s/p relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and provides a ground path for the left cooling fan. At the same time the high speed fan relay coil is energized closing the relay contacts and provides battery positive voltage from the high fan fuse on the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the right cooling fan. During high speed fan operation, both engine cooling fans have there own ground path. The result is a parallel circuit with both fans running at high speed.
The auxiliary cooling fan relay is located in the left rear fuse block and receives ignition 1 voltage from the underhood fuse block. The auxiliary cooling fan receives battery positive voltage from the left rear fuse block through the auxiliary cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit via the underhood fuse block.
During auxiliary cooling fan operation, the ECM supplies the ground path for the auxiliary cooling fan relay through the auxiliary cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the auxiliary cooling fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the 30 amp maxi-fuse through the auxiliary cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit. The ground path is provided at G104.
The ECM commands the low speed fans on under the following conditions:
- Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 94.5°C (202°F).
- A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1447 kPa (210 psi).
- After the vehicle is shut OFF if the engine coolant temperature at key-off is greater than 101°C (214°F) the low speed fans will run for a minimum of 60 seconds. After 60 seconds, if the coolant temperature drops below 101°C (214°F) the fans will shut OFF. The fans will automatically shut OFF after 4 min. regardless of coolant temperature.
The ECM commands the high speed fans ON under the following conditions:
- Engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 104.25°C (220°F).
- A/C refrigerant pressure exceeds 1824 kPa (265 psi).
- When certain DTCs set.
At idle and very low vehicle speeds the cooling fans are only allowed to increase in speed if required. This insures idle stability by preventing the fans from cycling between high and low speed.
The ECM commands the auxiliary cooling fan ON when the engine coolant temperature exceeds approximately 108°C (226°F).