P1460

Code

CADILLAC P — Powertrain

Cooling Fan Control System

Brand: CADILLAC

Type: P — Powertrain

Views: UK: 19 EN: 31 RU: 18

AI status

Completed

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Completed 100%

Page language: EN

Causes

Blown fuse or failed relay for cooling fan circuit
Open, shorted, or corroded wiring/connectors in the fan circuit
Poor or missing ground at fan motor or module
Failed cooling fan motor (stator/brushes, bearing seized)
Faulty fan control module, BCM, or PCM driver stage
Incorrect engine coolant temperature signal or related sensor fault

Symptoms

Cooling fan(s) do not run when engine reaches normal operating temperature
Cooling fan(s) run constantly or at incorrect speeds
Engine overheating or higher-than-normal idle temperature
Reduced air conditioning cooling performance at low speeds/idle
Check Engine Light or MIL illuminated with heat-related drivability complaints

What to check

Visual inspection of fan wiring, connectors, and grounds for corrosion, damage, or loose terminals
Check fuse(s) and fan relay(s) in fuse/relay box for continuity and correct operation
Use a scan tool to view fan command status, commanded speed, and engine coolant temperature PID data
Command fan ON/OFF (low and high) with scan tool and observe behavior
Measure DC voltage at fan power pin and ground at connector while commanded
Bench-test fan by applying direct 12 V to confirm motor operation and measure current draw

Signal parameters

Fan control command (ON/OFF and PWM duty cycle %) from BCM/PCM as reported by scan tool
Supply voltage to fan: approx. 12.0–14.5 V when engine running
Ground continuity: low resistance (
Fan motor current draw: nominal range depends on vehicle (typically a few to ~15 A); unusually high or zero draw indicates a problem
PWM frequency (if applicable): manufacturer-specific (check service info) and duty should change with commanded speed
Engine coolant temperature at which fan is commanded on (compare to spec)

Diagnostic algorithm

Retrieve freeze frame and data PIDs with a scan tool; record fan command status, coolant temp, and related PIDs. Clear the code and see if it returns.
Visually inspect fuses, relays, wiring harnesses, connectors, and grounds for damage, corrosion, or water intrusion. Repair any obvious faults.
With a scan tool, command the cooling fan to ON (low and high) and observe whether the PCM/BCM shows a command and whether the fan responds.
While commanding the fan ON, measure voltage at the fan power terminal and verify ground. If there is battery voltage present and a good ground, bench-test fan by applying direct 12 V to verify motor operation.
If fan does not receive voltage when commanded, check control relay coil voltage and switching contacts. Test/replace relay as required.
If relay and fuses are OK but no control signal, backprobe the control output from the BCM/PCM to check for PWM/driver output. Compare to expected PWM duty/frequency using oscilloscope or appropriate scan tool PID.
Check current draw of the fan while running; excessive draw may indicate a failing motor or obstruction. Inspect for mechanical binding or debris.
Verify engine coolant temperature sensor/ECT readings and thermostat operation; incorrect temps can prevent proper fan command.
If wiring, relay, fuse, fan motor, and temperature sensor check out but control output is abnormal, consider module-level diagnostics (BCM/PCM driver) per service manual; replace or reprogram module only after confirming driver fault.
After repair, clear DTC(s), perform warm-up and A/C loading tests, and confirm fan operation across expected temperature ranges and commanded conditions.

Likely causes

Corroded/loose fan power or ground connector causing intermittent operation
Fan motor failure (motor draws excessive or no current when commanded)
Failed fan relay or blown inline fuse
Damaged PWM driver or control output in BCM/PCM
Incorrect coolant temperature reading preventing fan command

Fault status

⚠️ Status

Cooling fan control system malfunction detected. The module commanded fan operation but expected response was not observed or circuit fault detected. Further electrical and component testing required.

🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium

⏱️ Diagnostic time: 1.0 - 3.0 hours

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P1460 — Cooling Fan Control System