GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit/System Description

The engine cooling fan is a variable speed fan. The engine control module (ECM) controls the fan speed by sending a pulse width modulated signal to the cooling fan speed control module. The cooling fan control module varies the voltage drop across the engine cooling fan motor in relation to the pulse width modulated signal. The cooling fan speed is affected by many different conditions and can be adjusted from 10 to 90 percent duty cycle (PWM). A duty cycle of 90 percent is considered high fan speed. When multiple cooling speed requests are received, the ECM uses the highest cooling fan speed of all the requests. During normal fan ON operation, the control circuit voltage will be low and near battery voltage when the fan is OFF.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Engine Cooling Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component 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

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, command the cooling fan ON and OFF with a scan tool. Observe that the cooling fan turns ON and OFF with each command.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the cooling fan control module.
  2. Ignition ON, observe that the fan is not activated.
  3. If the fan is not activated, replace the cooling fan control module.
    If the fan is activated, test the fan voltage supply circuit for a short to voltage.

Repair Verification

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