P0481: Cooling fan 2 control circuit malfunction
The ECU has found an electrical fault in the control of the second fan or second fan speed. Usually a relay, a fuse or the wiring.
| Code | P0481 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P04xx, Emissions control |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0481 means
Many cars have two fans, or one fan with two speeds. What fan 2 means exactly is up to each manufacturer: it may be the second motor or the high speed. This code means its control circuit is not responding properly.
Most common causes
- Blown fuse for fan 2 or high speed
- Faulty relay for that circuit
- Burnt-out fan speed resistor, on cars that use one
- Damaged connector or wiring
- Faulty fan motor or control module
Symptoms
- One fan not spinning or only running at one speed
- High temperature in traffic, on climbs or in hot weather
- Air conditioning less effective
- Engine warning light on
Can you drive with P0481?
With care If the other fan works, the engine usually copes in normal conditions, but it may run hot in heat or traffic. Watch the temperature and get it repaired soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the air conditioning on full and the engine hot, check that both fans spin or that the fan steps up to high speed. If your scanner can switch them on separately, you will see which one is failing.
How to read and clear P0481 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0481 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P047D The exhaust pressure sensor B gives a higher signal than normal
- P047E The exhaust pressure sensor B fails now and then
- P047F The exhaust pressure control valve A has got stuck
- P0480 Cooling fan 1 control circuit malfunction
- P0482 The cooling fan 3 control has an electrical fault
- P0483 The radiator fan is not responding as it should
- P0484 The coolant fan motor circuit draws too much current
- P0485 There is a fault in the coolant fan motor power or earth circuit
- P0400 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow malfunction
- P0401 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow insufficient
- P0402 Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) flow excessive
- P0403 EGR control circuit malfunction
To understand it properly
We explain how that system works, with drawings and no waffle, in our mechanics guide: Cooling.
To understand it properly
We explain how that system works, with drawings and no waffle, in our mechanics guide: Air conditioning.
What does code P0481 mean?
Many cars have two fans, or one fan with two speeds. What fan 2 means exactly is up to each manufacturer: it may be the second motor or the high speed. This code means its control circuit is not responding properly.
Can you drive with P0481?
If the other fan works, the engine usually copes in normal conditions, but it may run hot in heat or traffic. Watch the temperature and get it repaired soon.
How do you clear P0481?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0481 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
