P0484 Cooling Fan Circuit Over Current
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
Cooling Fan Circuit Over Current
What does that mean?
This generic powertrain/engine diagnostic trouble code typically applies to all OBDII equipped engines, but shows up more often in certain Mazda and Mercedes Benz vehicles.
The Cooling Fan Module is usually found mounted behind the radiator in front of the engine. The Cooling Fan Module is typically controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) based upon inputs wired to it.
The PCM receives these inputs via voltage signals to determine engine coolant and intake air temperature, air conditioner pressures, and vehicle speed. This code is set if these inputs do not match normal operating voltages stored in the PCM’s memory, or if the cooling fan operation does not match the predetermined information stored in the PCM.
P0484 is set when too much current is detected during normal fan operation. This can occur during low, medium or high speed operation. This also includes those vehicles utilizing fan relays to operate the cooling fans. This code is only concerned with electrical issues (failed cooling fan circuit), including intermittent problems. Troubleshooting steps may vary depending upon manufacturer, type of cooling fan module and wire colors.
Related cooling fan trouble codes include:
Severity & Symptoms
Severity depends upon the failure. With an electrical failure, it may not be considered as severe, as the PCM can compensate for it, unless the engine begins to overheat. While the PCM is compensating, the temperature gauge must be monitored during all drive cycles. Typically, the fans operate all the time (100 % duty cycle).
Symptoms of a P0484 trouble code may include:
Potential Causes
Typically the causes for this code to set are:
Diagnostic and Repair Procedures
A good starting point is always a technical service bulletin (TSB) search for your particular vehicle. The vehicle manufacturer may have a PCM flash/reprogram to cover this issue, and it pays to check on this before you find you’ve gone down a long/wrong path.
Next, locate the cooling fan module on your particular vehicle. The Cooling Fan Module (cooling fans) is usually found mounted behind the radiator in front of the engine. Once located, visually inspect the connectors and wiring. Look for scraping, rubbing, bare wires, burn spots or melted plastic. Pull the connectors apart and carefully inspect the terminals (the metal parts) inside the connectors. See if they look burned or have a green tint indicating corrosion. Use electrical contact cleaner and a plastic bristle brush if cleaning of the terminals is needed. Let dry and apply electrical grease where the terminals contact.
If you have a scan tool, clear the diagnostic trouble codes from memory, and see if P0484 returns. If it does not, then the connections were most likely your problem.
If the code does return, we will need to test the fans and their associated circuits. Typically, there are 2 wires at each cooling fan in the module. First, disconnect the harness going to the cooling fan module. With a Digital Volt Ohm Meter (DVOM), connect one lead of the meter to one terminal of one of the fans. Connect the remaining meter lead to the other fan terminal. It should not be open or shorted. Verify the resistance specifications for your particular vehicle. If the fan motor is either open or shorted (infinite resistance or no resistance/0 ohms), replace the cooling fan module or if available, the cooling fan motor.
If that test passes, with a DVOM, check to make sure you have 12V to the cooling fan module power supply circuit (Red lead to the fan power supply circuit, black lead to a good ground). With a scan tool that can activate the cooling fans, turn on the cooling fans. If there is no 12 volts to the fan, repair the wiring from the PCM or relay to the fan, or possibly a bad PCM.
If that’s OK, check to make sure you have a good ground at the cooling fan module. Connect a test light to 12V battery positive (red terminal) and touch the other end of the test light to the ground circuit going to the Cooling fan module circuit ground. Using the scan tool to actuate the cooling fan module, see if the test light comes on each time the scan tool actuates the fan. If the test light does not light up, this would indicate the problem circuit. If it does light up, wiggle the wiring harness going to the fan to see if the test light flickers, indicating an intermittent connection.
If all tests have passed so far, and you continue to get a P0484 code, this would most likely indicate a failed cooling fan module, although a failed PCM could not be ruled out until the fan had been replaced. If unsure, seek assistance from a trained automotive diagnostician. PCMs must be programmed, or calibrated to the vehicle in order to be installed correctly.
Need help?
Let us fix your problem. You are most welcome our diagnosis experts have in most cases the knowledge and skills to find the cause of the error code p0484 and to solve the problems.
Make an appointment for diagnosis
"Delete Error Code Permanently, Disable DTC Error Code Function for p0484 in the ECU"
In extreme cases, we even have the option to permanently remove the specific DTC p0484 and disable the function of the specific error code in the ECU. All other fault code functions will then continue to work to protect the engine. This is different from clearing an error code with a diagnostic device. We have the option to permanently remove the function of the specific error code, so that it never comes back. Also emergency running that occurs on the specific error code can be solved in most cases.
Of course we prefer to first try to solve the cause of the error code, but sometimes the only solution is to permanently disable the DTC function of p0484.
