P0696 Cooling Fan 3 Control Circuit High
Content
P0696 – OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
The P0696 code indicates that the voltage on the cooling fan 3 motor control circuit is too high.
What does the fault code mean P0696?
DTC P0696 indicates the cooling fan 3 motor control circuit voltage is too high. This means that the vehicle's powertrain control module (PCM) has detected that the voltage in the electrical circuit that controls the cooling fan motor 3 is higher than the manufacturer's specifications.
Possible reasons
Some possible reasons for the P0696 trouble code:
- Faulty fan motor: Faults in the fan motor itself, such as a short or open, can cause the control circuit voltage to be too high.
- Fan relay problems: A defective relay that controls the fan motor can cause improper operation and high voltage in the circuit.
- Faulty fuses: Damaged fuses in the fan control circuit can cause the circuit to become overloaded, causing the voltage to be too high.
- Short circuit in control circuit: A short circuit between wires or an open circuit in the control circuit can cause overload and high voltage.
- Problems with the PCM: A malfunction of the PCM itself, which is responsible for controlling the cooling system, can lead to improper operation and incorrect voltage information.
- Problems with temperature sensors: Faulty temperature sensors designed to monitor coolant temperature can result in erroneous signals and incorrect cooling system response.
- Electrical interference or corrosion: Electrical noise or corrosion in the electrical control circuit may cause the cooling system to malfunction and cause increased voltage.
- Problems with the charging system: Improper operation of the alternator or battery can cause unstable voltage in the vehicle's electrical system.
To accurately determine the cause of the malfunction, it is recommended to carry out diagnostics using specialized equipment.
What are the symptoms of trouble code P0696?
When DTC P0696 appears, the following symptoms may occur:
- Increased engine temperature: An overheating engine may be one of the first signs of a problem with the cooling system. If the fan motor does not operate properly because the voltage is too high, the motor may not cool enough, causing it to overheat.
- The cooling fan is not operating correctly: The fan motor may run too fast or too slow due to the control circuit voltage being too high, which may cause the motor temperature to become unstable.
- Increased fuel consumption: Engine overheating can result in increased fuel consumption due to inefficient engine operation.
- Error messages appearing on the dashboard: When the P0696 trouble code appears, some vehicles may cause the Check Engine Light to illuminate or another warning message to appear on the instrument panel.
- Unstable engine operation: In the event of severe overheating or unstable operation of the cooling system, the engine may become unstable or even refuse to start.
- Loss of power: If the engine overheats severely due to a malfunction of the cooling system, engine power may be reduced due to the activation of protective mechanisms.
How to diagnose a fault code P0696?
Diagnosis for DTC P0696 may include the following steps:
- Error checking: Use a diagnostic scanner to read trouble code P0696 and any other codes that may be related to the cooling system.
- Visual inspection: Inspect the fan motor and connecting wires for visible damage, corrosion, or breaks.
- Electrical circuit check: Use a multimeter to check the voltage on the fan motor control circuit. Make sure the voltage is within the manufacturer's specifications.
- Checking relays and fuses: Check the operation of the relay and the condition of the fuses responsible for controlling the fan motor. Replace them if necessary.
- Checking temperature sensors: Check the operation of the coolant temperature sensors. Make sure they are reporting correct engine temperature data.
- PCM Control Module Check: Check the condition of the PCM. Make sure it correctly reads data from the sensors and sends appropriate commands to control the fan.
- Checking the charging system: Check the operation of the alternator and battery to ensure that the charging system is providing sufficient voltage for proper operation of the cooling system.
- Checking for short circuits or breaks: Check the control circuit for shorts or opens that could cause the voltage to be too high.
Once the problem has been diagnosed and resolved, it is recommended that the DTC be cleared from the PCM memory and a test drive be performed to verify that the problem has been successfully resolved. If the cause of the malfunction cannot be determined or corrected on your own, it is recommended that you contact a professional auto mechanic or service center for further diagnosis and repair.
Diagnostic errors
When diagnosing DTC P0696, the following errors may occur:
- Faulty fan motor diagnostics: Incorrect diagnosis of the fan motor, for example if it is replaced without sufficient testing or its condition is not taken into account, can lead to incorrect conclusions about the cause of the fault.
- Ignoring electrical connections: Failure to inspect electrical connections, wires, and connectors sufficiently may result in problems such as corrosion, breaks, or short circuits being missed.
- Incorrect interpretation of sensor data: If data from temperature sensors is not interpreted correctly, it may lead to misdiagnosis of the cause of high voltage in the fan motor control circuit.
- Ignoring other related DTCs: When a P0696 code appears, it may be the result of another underlying problem, such as a short circuit in the circuit, problems with the temperature sensors, or a malfunction in the PCM. Ignoring other related error codes may result in ineffective diagnosis and repair.
- Faulty PCM: If all other components have been checked and any problems identified are corrected, but the P0696 code still occurs, it may be due to a problem with the PCM itself. Ignoring this feature may result in unnecessary replacement of other components.
To avoid mistakes when diagnosing code P0696, it is important to conduct a comprehensive check of all components of the cooling system and electrical circuit, and also take into account all possible factors affecting the operation of the fan and the cooling system as a whole.
How serious is the fault code? P0696?
Trouble code P0696, indicating the cooling fan 3 motor control circuit voltage is too high, is serious because the cooling system plays an important role in engine performance.
Failure to cool the engine sufficiently can cause the engine to overheat, which in turn can cause serious damage to the engine and other components. Elevated temperatures can also affect the overall performance and reliability of the vehicle.
Therefore, code P0696 should be considered a serious problem that requires prompt diagnosis and repair. If the problem is not resolved, it can lead to further deterioration of the vehicle and even breakdown.
What repair will help eliminate the code? P0696?
Repair to resolve DTC P0696 will depend on the specific cause of the problem, but a few general steps may be required:
- Replacing the fan motor: If the fan motor is found to be faulty, it must be replaced.
- Relay repair or replacement: If the relay that controls the fan motor is faulty, it must be replaced.
- Checking and replacing fuses: Damaged fuses in the fan control circuit must be replaced.
- Checking and repairing electrical connections: Wires and connectors in the electrical control circuit should be checked for corrosion, breaks or short circuits and, if necessary, repaired or replaced.
- Checking and replacing temperature sensors: If temperature sensors are found to be faulty, they must be replaced.
- Checking and replacing the PCM control module: In some cases, the problem may be related to the PCM itself. If so, the module may need to be replaced or repaired.
- Checking the charging system: If the problem is due to a malfunctioning alternator or battery, they should be checked and, if necessary, replaced.
- Elimination of short circuits or breaks: If short circuits or breaks are found in the electrical circuit, they must be repaired.
It is important to perform diagnostics to pinpoint the cause of the problem before starting repairs. If you do not have experience with automotive repairs, it is recommended that you contact a qualified auto mechanic for diagnosis and repair.
P0696 – Brand-specific information
Trouble code P0696 relates to the engine and transmission control system and can be common to different makes of vehicles, some examples of decoding for this trouble code:
- Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac: Engine cooling fan control circuit is high.
- Ford, Lincoln, Mercury: Engine cooling fan control circuit voltage is too high.
- Honda Acura: The engine cooling fan motor control circuit voltage is too high.
- Toyota, Lexus, Scion: The engine cooling fan motor control circuit voltage is too high.
- Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche: Abnormal voltage in the engine cooling fan motor control circuit.
These are just a few examples of how the P0696 code can be deciphered for various makes of cars. The exact interpretation of the code for a specific vehicle brand can be found in the official repair and maintenance documentation or by contacting service and repair specialists for a specific brand.
