Driver's side fan not working, Code P0480 coming up.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
Likes: 17
From: San Diego California
Driver's side fan not working, Code P0480 coming up.
I have been getting a check engine light lately, the code is the P0480 which is the Fan 1 relay. I have read all 115 threads on this code. SO I am getting a little information overload.
Last night I warmed the car up and checked the fans. The passenger side fan was running, the driver's side was not. I have looked at the fuse box and all relays and fuses look clean and healthy. But I haven't had a chance to check them electrically. The fan turns freely. There has been some work done on the car recently and the motor plug wires may have come in contact with the swaybar. But I haven't noticed any break in the insulation.
As I mentioned I have used the search function. But with only one fan running and the code, I figured some of the experts would be able to narrow down the problem ( as in which fuses and relays).
Thanks in advance. Seriously how di we fix our cars before the internet?
Last night I warmed the car up and checked the fans. The passenger side fan was running, the driver's side was not. I have looked at the fuse box and all relays and fuses look clean and healthy. But I haven't had a chance to check them electrically. The fan turns freely. There has been some work done on the car recently and the motor plug wires may have come in contact with the swaybar. But I haven't noticed any break in the insulation.
As I mentioned I have used the search function. But with only one fan running and the code, I figured some of the experts would be able to narrow down the problem ( as in which fuses and relays).
Thanks in advance. Seriously how di we fix our cars before the internet?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
Likes: 17
From: San Diego California
Here is the wiring diagram for the cooling fans for the C5:
...
In low speed operation the fans are wired in series and BOTH fans are supposed to run at half speed (because the 12 volts is divided across the two fans with each fan seeing approximately 6 volts). If you can read wiring schematics you will be able to see that from the above diagram. I am assuming that the running fan IS IN FACT AT LOW SPEED. If it is running in HIGH speed then the info below does NOT apply to your problem. So assuming the single fan is in low speed mode continue below....
Your description says left fan not running, right fan running in low speed mode. That tells us the relay 45 and fuse 46 are OK. It also tells us that the relay 44 is in the normal position (ie relay 44 is not activated) with 12 volts passing through point B11 to the top of the right fan motor. It also tells us that the ground point G102 is OK. If this were not so then the right fan could not operate.
Since the fans are connected in series for low speed operation, the left fan must be bad but still electrically in the circuit in order for the fan right to operate. Left fan replacement is indicated.
...
In low speed operation the fans are wired in series and BOTH fans are supposed to run at half speed (because the 12 volts is divided across the two fans with each fan seeing approximately 6 volts). If you can read wiring schematics you will be able to see that from the above diagram. I am assuming that the running fan IS IN FACT AT LOW SPEED. If it is running in HIGH speed then the info below does NOT apply to your problem. So assuming the single fan is in low speed mode continue below....
Your description says left fan not running, right fan running in low speed mode. That tells us the relay 45 and fuse 46 are OK. It also tells us that the relay 44 is in the normal position (ie relay 44 is not activated) with 12 volts passing through point B11 to the top of the right fan motor. It also tells us that the ground point G102 is OK. If this were not so then the right fan could not operate.
Since the fans are connected in series for low speed operation, the left fan must be bad but still electrically in the circuit in order for the fan right to operate. Left fan replacement is indicated.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
Likes: 17
From: San Diego California
Is it true that after the engine is turned off, the fans run for a short time?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 889
From: South Western Ontario
Find out what temperature settings your tuner put in for the low fan and the high fan.
Then, you can watch the temp and the fan and see what temp the working right fan comes on. I suspect the right fan is coming on when you hit the high fan turn-on temp setting.
The likely suspects are fuse 49, relay 45 or the fan motor.
Peter
Then, you can watch the temp and the fan and see what temp the working right fan comes on. I suspect the right fan is coming on when you hit the high fan turn-on temp setting.
The likely suspects are fuse 49, relay 45 or the fan motor.
Peter
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
Likes: 17
From: San Diego California
Find out what temperature settings your tuner put in for the low fan and the high fan.
Then, you can watch the temp and the fan and see what temp the working right fan comes on. I suspect the right fan is coming on when you hit the high fan turn-on temp setting.
The likely suspects are fuse 49, relay 45 or the fan motor.
Peter
Then, you can watch the temp and the fan and see what temp the working right fan comes on. I suspect the right fan is coming on when you hit the high fan turn-on temp setting.
The likely suspects are fuse 49, relay 45 or the fan motor.
Peter
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,220
Likes: 17
From: San Diego California
Thanks a lot guys. Fuse #49 was open. To be proactive I switched #43 and #45 relay, and the right fan continued to run. So I will replace the the fuse and go from there. Now I'm wondering what blew the fuse?
Is there a part number for this fuse?
Is there a part number for this fuse?
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,239
Likes: 1,091
From: Dyer, IN
There are 3 relays: 43, 44, and 45. 44 is different from 43 & 45, and can only be installed one way(idiot proof). 43 & 45 can be installed in either orientation, but other relays or fuse may prevent that.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks for quick reply! I bought all three. Yep 44 is a5 pin. No explanation needed. The other two are mini switches right.? It seemed to have polarity. But I can install them either way? And do you know what temp they should kick on? I bought this Vette used and some idiot hard wired the fans to start when the key is in the 'on' position!!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,239
Likes: 1,091
From: Dyer, IN
Yes, provided they do not conflict with another close relay, fuse, etc.
Then you've got your work cut out for you. That should have been easy to catch on a visual inspect though.
