GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cooling Fan Control - Two Fan System

The engine cooling fan system consists of 2 electrical cooling fans and 3 fan relays. The relays are arranged in a series/parallel (S/P) configuration that allows the engine control module (ECM) to operate both fans together at low or high speeds. The cooling fans receive positive voltage from the cooling fan relays which receive battery positive voltage from the underhood fuse block.

During low speed operation, the ECM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the low speed fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the LOW FAN fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the right cooling fan. The ground path for the right cooling fan is through the S/P fan relay and the left cooling fan. The result is a series circuit with both fans running at low speed.

During high speed operation the ECM continues to supply battery positive voltage for the right side fan by grounding the coil of the low speed cooling fan relay. The ECM also grounds the high speed fan relay and the S/P fan relay through the high speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the S/P fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and provides a direct ground path for the right cooling fan. At the same time the high speed fan relay coil is energized closing the relay contacts and providing battery positive voltage from the HI FAN fuse on the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the left cooling fan. During high speed fan operation, both engine cooling fans have their own ground path. The result is a parallel circuit with both fans running at high speed.

Cooling Fan Control - Three Fan System

The engine cooling fan system consists of 3 electrical cooling fans and 4 fan relays. The low speed, high speed, and S/P fan relays are arranged in a series/parallel (S/P) configuration that allows the ECM to operate the left cooling fan and right cooling fan together at low or high speeds. The auxiliary or pusher cooling fan and the auxiliary or pusher relay will activate if the coolant temperature continues to increase beyond the temperature at which the left and right fans are operating at high speed.

During low speed operation, the ECM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the low speed fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the LOW FAN fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the right cooling fan. The ground path for the right cooling fan is through the S/P fan relay and the left cooling fan. The result is a series circuit with both fans running at low speed.

During high speed operation the ECM continues to supply battery positive voltage for the right cooling fan by grounding the coil of the low speed cooling fan relay. The ECM also grounds the high speed fan relay and the S/P fan relay through the high speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the S/P fan relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and provides a direct ground path for the right cooling fan. At the same time the high speed fan relay coil is energized closing the relay contacts and providing battery positive voltage from the HI FAN fuse on the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the left cooling fan. During high speed fan operation, both engine cooling fans have their own ground path. The result is a parallel circuit with both fans running at high speed.

The auxiliary or pusher fan relay is located in the left rear fuse block and receives ignition 1 voltage from the underhood fuse block. During auxiliary cooling fan operation, the ECM applies ground to the coil side of the pusher fan relay. This energizes the coil and applies voltage directly to the fan through the switch side of the relay. The pusher fan receives battery positive voltage through the switch side of the pusher fan relay from the PUSHER FAN fuse in the left rear fuse block.