Code P0480 is Cooling Fan Relay 1 Control Circuit according to http://www.allpar.com/fix/computer-codes.html

Could be a glitch. Disconnect negative battery terminal for a few minutes, say 10, reconnect and see if the code is still there.

Could be real. Best to check the connections to the cooling fans for corrosion and tightness. Check the fan operation (turning on and off rather than being always on or always off.

 

Tried the battery trick (code stayed). I will look at the connections now.

 

Haynes Manual says the following for P0480:

Low-speed fan control relay circuit malfunction

Perhaps a new relay is needed. I have had no first hand experience with this code myself, but others on here most likely have.
The wiring diagram can be found using this method:

Library Information (ARRC):
Another good source of information can be accessed as follows:
- Go to http://www.oplin.org/databases/proxy2/proxy.php?doCardCheck=1&txtCardNumber=123456789
- Go to the following Library from the drop down list and submit it.
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
- Go to ALL EBSCOhost Databases and click on it.
- Go down to Auto Repair Reference Center (ARRC) and click on it.
- Submit your "year" and take it from there.
Note: If info isn't there for your year / model, try another year or similar model.

 

Found the problem, bad relay. :thumb:

 

I've got a P0480 code on my 2006 Grand Caravan SXT 3.8L. I just ordered the fan relay. Fingers crossed!

Dave

 

If that relay is in the fuse and relay center (IPC by the battery), you have sereral relays there that can be swapped, one for the other. If fact there may be a spare relay or atleast a place to put one. (mine has such a space).

 

2006 dodge caravan engine code p0480 fans won't operate. HELP!

Working on a 2006 caravan with the 3.3l v6. Computer is throwing code P0480 and the cooler fans will not turn on. I've replaced the cooler fan relay after reading several forums that are calling that the most common issue. The fans both spin freely by hand but won't turn on. Any ideas what I should check and how?

 

Working on a 2006 caravan with the 3.3l v6. Computer is throwing code P0480 and the cooler fans will not turn on. I've replaced the cooler fan relay after reading several forums that are calling that the most common issue. The fans both spin freely by hand but won't turn on. Any ideas what I should check and how?

 

I don't have the wiring diagram for these vehicles handy, but when P0480 (or P0481 if it's the high speed fan), triggers, it's one of the following conditions;

- A short to ground
- A short to voltage
- An open control circuit
- An open coil in a relay
- An internally shorted or excessively low resistance relay coil.

Since you replaced the fan relay (the one on the front crash bar just behind the grille, correct?), those last two shouldn't be the problem, unless by some fluke you got another bad relay. So if someone has a wiring diagram, I would start testing the power side, the ground side and any control circuit.

 

 

I can't seem to find a diagram with labeled wire colors and all i have is an idiot light (test light) to work with. With the key on and my light hooked up to battery positive 3-4 connections (2 large and 1 small wire) on the relay plug operate my light. Should i be seeing something else or does that sound correct?

 

I've posted the diagram above your post. The colors are written on the traces.

Power is supplied by Integrated Power module through a [Fuse 27 40A], from there by OR/RD (Orange with Red strip) wire to Relay pin 1. Use your test light to see if you get 12v on pin 1.

From my readings, this relay is a solid state device and is control by Pulse Width Modulated 12v signal from PCM on DB/VT (Dark blue with Violet strip) wire pin 4. This is how it controls speeds of the fans from 33% to 100%. The fans initially start spinning at 33% when Coolant temp is at 220F or AC pressure at 250psi or Tranny temp temp at 204F. The fans speed ramp up to 100% when Coolant temp is at 230F or AC pressure at 300psi or Tranny temp temp at 232F.

I don't know how much current the PWM signal can provide but it might not be enough to light the test light. So I recommend you get a DVM. With DVM you can look at DB/VT wire voltage and see if PCM is activating the relay. Obviously 12v expected, max fans speed, at 100% duty cycle.

Likewise, you can use DVM or Test light and look at pin 2 DB/DG (Dark Blue with Dark Green strip) the power to the fans. The voltage will depend on how fast the PCM is cycling the relay.

The Pin 3 BK/DG (Black with Dark Green strip) is the Ground for the relay.

 

That sounds correct.
Apply power to the small wires, black is ground, the other I'm thinking is blue or green, is 12v +. A 9v battery will work.
With power applied to the small connectors, your light will work on both big terminals, and with power off the small terminals, light should only be on one of the large terminals, and should be black wire going to ti.

 

This seems to be the best thread to asking this in. 2005 T&C 3.3 88K
Here is the time line:
Van overheats for wife.
Next day wont start. Check Engine light on, multiple codes: P0480, P0700, P0562
Jumped it, Volt meter test shows alternator putting out 12.5
Pulled alt and had it tested, showed as bad and it was replaced under lifetime warranty.
I drove the van for next 2 days, sluggish to turn over.
Had battery checked by 2 parts stores, both showed low cranking amps in 5 year old battery in Fl.
Replaced battery. Codes went away.
Check engine light came on and I noticed the AC was not as cold and engine was getting hot.
Couldnt find testing process for relay that I could understand, ordered cooling fan relay
turned off AC and drove it for 2 days with no ac, engine temps stayed in center of gauge.
Installed relay (Dorman), replaced cooling fan circuit fuse.
Research shows cooling fans run at 30% until an upper limit temp is reached and/or AC clutch is energized at which time fans go to 100%.
Fuse wont blow at low speed, when AC is engaged the fuse blows after 5 mins (approx).
Ordered fan assembly(Dorman) and installed , replaced fuse
Drove van twice for 10 mins with AC on. No problems with fuse.\
Next day drove the van with AC and the fuse blew in 10 mins.

Please see attached circuit. Not sure where to test for the fuse blowing at 100 % fan speed. ??????
No need to worry about my feelings if I am wrong anywhere.
Just want to resolve this so my wife has ac.

Note: even with no fans, without AC engaged I was able to drive around in traffic and the temp never got over halfway.

Thanks Brian

 

... Installed relay (Dorman), replaced cooling fan circuit fuse. ....

This is the 40A fuse #27, correct? I'm assuming that it was blown before you replaced the relay, so do you know when it first blew?

 

have you insured that "Radiator Fan Relay" is in good contact with the metal cross-member - it is a semiconductor that works on PWM and generates heat (the cross-member is the heat sink)

 

I was thinking along the same lines, but it sounded like he was saying that the fuse was blown before he replaced the relay. And that would presumably mean the fuse blew with the OEM relay still factory-riveted in place. But perhaps that's not the case, and hopefully he will post back and tell us exactly what the sequence of events were.

 

This is the 40A fuse #27, correct? I'm assuming that it was blown before you replaced the relay, so do you know when it first blew?
Yes, #27. Cant tell you if it was blown prior to relay replacement, I just didnt think to look at the fuse (it had been a long week!)

have you insured that "Radiator Fan Relay" is in good contact with the metal cross-member
It is sitting flat on crossmember, I did not use a dielectric(?) grease on it.

I was thinking along the same lines, but it sounded like he was saying that the fuse was blown before he replaced the relay. And that would presumably mean the fuse blew with the OEM relay still factory-riveted in place. But perhaps that's not the case, and hopefully he will post back and tell us exactly what the sequence of events were.

I believe the fuse was blown with original relay in place but do NOT know for sure.

Will reinstall replay with thermal grease and follow up with you guys.

THANKS Brian

 

It will be Sat before I can get to this, I will follow up. Brian