Excellent methodical troubleshooting! Just wanted to say I own 3 high mileage early 2000’s Subarus. Every time I’ve seen this code it’s always started out as kind of a phantom issue. Meaning everything’s working when I start troubleshooting. I’ll clear the code and sometime later it’ll come back again but still everything seems to work. As time goes on it gets more & more frequent. For me it’s always one or both fans at the end of their life. I’ve even cracked open the fan motors and seen that the brushes will be completely worn out. I usually just get salvage yard fans but you never know how many miles are on them. I’ve only had a fan failure repeat once on one car and that was about 2 years later. My belief is as the fan motors brushes approach the end of their life the fan will begin to intermittently fail to start. Eventually it’ll get bad enough that the fan motor just can’t run anymore because there’s no brushes left. Just throwing that out there 😎
I just did a radiator replacement on a 2001 Subaru Outback 2.5 L...I noticed the coolant fans didn't came on...I turned on the AC and both fans came on. After watching this I understand why they never came on. Thank you for making such useful video.
As a fellow technician I have watched several of your videos and really appreciate your attention to detail and level of professionalism. As you know, intermittent problems are one of the most difficult items we face. I see you have a Verus which is a great tool but, I'm not sure if I have seen you use and amp clamp for diagnosis as yet. When you had the relay bypassed to verify the fan operation would have been a great time to connect an amp clamp and view the amp pattern. With any brush type motor we would look to see a consistently even hump like pattern at a steady amp rating. Missing or low humps in the pattern could be an indication of poor brush to rotor contact and would also slow the rate at which the motor would turn. Sometimes this drop in speed is barely noticeable so, viewing the pattern will help. If the fan would shut off in the area of poor contact would it have enough current flowing to restart? Sometimes the airflow from road speed will turn the fan blade and get it going where sitting at idle it won't and the vehicle will overheat. I see your partial to the scope on a rope which also can be used to check an intermittent fan. If the fan is power side switched and has a constant ground you can connect the test light to B+ and back probe either the B+ side of the fan connector or relay fan side feed and spin the motor slowly by hand. the light should stay solidly lit, if there is constantly good brush to rotor contact. If it's B+ fed and ground side switched then attach the test light to ground and back probe the negative side of the fan connector.Again the light should stay on constant if the motor is good. I realize that there isn't the current flowing like with the fan operating but I have found many intermittent cooling fans this way if a scope wasn't available. Keep up the great work and sharing your knowledge!
Bluewrench61 Yeah that is a great point and thanks for sharing your wisdom. I have scoped (with low amp probe) HVAC blower motors to check for intermittents. I like the idea with the test light to check for uninterrupted current flow. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!
Excellent contribution to the thread, I scroll through comments every day to find constructive remarks like this one. Eric already knew all of that, but I've never seen it explained so well.
Bluewrench61 you had a great comment on a cooling fan issue that I watched on UA-cam hoping for a little advice. My question for you . What would cause cooling fans to come on at a higher temperature 245 now then it did 6 months ago 190 ? Everything seams to be working correctly except I would like to see the fans come on earlier. This is on a Subaru Outback 2002 thanks for any info you may have on this Mark cale
Nicely done video! I watch videos like this all the time and some people have the gift of it like you and Paul and some people's videos are painful to watch .Lol. keep them coming awesome stuff!
Hey thanks 70corwin. I enjoy watching Paul too and seeing some one use a very logical approach to diagnosing vehicles. Smart man and I really hope his students see the value of his teaching and can pick up on his methods as well as his mannerisms and logical way of thinking. That's a lot to take in for a young mechanic.
I agree! Wish I had a instructor like him when I went through UTI back in the 80's. I left that school dangerous at best. Took me many years later and on going training to get where I'm at now and still wish I new way more.
i was travelling from canada to florida this christmas and i told my son in ny state,pensylvania ,and west virginia we will see many subaru vehicles due to the mountains around pittsburgh pa and i was right good choice my fellow american friends.
As always! Saved me some money and helped me understand another code on my car! Keep doing what you’re doing my friend always helpful/useful information!
I have a 2004 Outback and just had the same thing happen as in this video. I wasn't able to check the relays as you did but plugging in the green connectors showed they were working. I cleared the code started the car and they were off ran it for a moment and they never came on. Checked around some more and went back out and thwarted the car and they were running. The only thing prior to getting the code was I was sitting in line idling. Thanks for the video and informing me about the green connectors.
Very good video. I see scanner danner giving you props. Its great to have people like you and Danner to help others. Keep up with more electrical Diagnostics vids especially check engine and failed Emissions
Thank you very much for posting this...rebuilding a 2005 Legacy with my son as a project car and your detailed yet easy to digest format makes this extremely useful info!!! Great video.
Attention to detail and approach is great even if no problem found. One thing, the computer monitors how well the engine cooling system is cooling during fan operation. So correlation between engine coolant temperature and when the fan is commanded on. Going into more detail of the conditions required or symptoms of each fault code I find would be highly sought after. So maybe something as simple as a blockage of air flow though the radiator such as leaves or debris.
P0483. Rationality check. That's what I'm going to call it when my wife has a fit next time. "What's that noise?" "Oh, the wife's just throwing a P0483 again..." :)
If I'm correct, this is the first video in which he changed his moniker from "Dr. O" to "Eric O". This is also the first video where he references us as "viewers", instead of collectively as "UA-cam". Cool 😎
For anyone slightly confused. * If you can jump your relay and force your fan on you know the wiring from fuse box to fan is good * If you connect green test plugs and one of your fans or both are not coming on you know there is a fault between the ECM and the one fan or both
Thanks for the video, I have a 2003 outback, same error code. Not a mechanic, but this was helpful. Looks like my fan was working but it might be the low coolant as someone pointed out below.
One thing you didn't consider, on my 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback with only a 139000 miles, great service maintenance upkeep. The top of my radiator was warm and the bottom was cold. I would get the fan problem code occasionally and checking all the things you checked everything was fine. It was a clogged up radiator. And the computer was sensing that the fans were not going on at the right time because of the radiator. Many people end up with a gasket problem and then they fix their head gasket and the whole problem at the beginning was a clogged up radiator! So even after a whole head gasket fix, they still have the problem that caused it in the 1st place. If your Check Engine light goes on and this code comes up please everyone, check your radiator and just change it. If everything else is normal it probably is the radiator.
Hey ! Nice video ! If you don't mind, I would like to add a very important issue I just had. The ac in my wife's car was blowing warm air with the vehicle stopped, the ac compressor was engaged and running constantly but the compressor itself was very hot, both radiator fans running slow so I thought there was an issue with the high speed fan relay or maybe a pressure switch for the ac refrigerant pressure. I just happened to grab the refrigerant suction line where it comes through the firewall into the engine compartment, and it was warm, very warm. After speeding up the idle, it was still not very cool, so I proceeded to add refrigerant slowly, feeling for cooling to come back though the firewall on the suction line (the larger refrigerant line). Within a minute, the fans revved up to high speed, the refrigerant suction line started getting cool, and the ac cranks now, even at 96 degrees outside. So just keep in mind, there is a pressure switch somewhere for high speed on both fans and most importantly, the ac compressor DID NOT rapidly cycle on/off as many do when the refrigerant charge gets low. I know I should have checked the refrigerant pressures, but my method of checking suction line temp is pretty good too. In my case, just a touch led me in the right direction. I hope this helps.
Great description on how to troubleshoot the electrical portion of this problem. I was wondering though why you didn’t explore the thermostat as a possible cause of the error code. A failed thermostat is the most common cause of that particular code on Subaru’s.
MickBob by Annapolis ;Nice Video, Have a 1998 outback w/240k, 2002 WRX wagon w/241K, and a 2004 Wrx wagon w/112k this helped alot with diagnosing my cooling fan problems.
thanks eric, if it wasn't your video I wouldn't know crap about diagnostic, before I used to be more of a part changer now,I found myself with more on the diagnostic side I started buying more diagnostic tools than wrench and ratchet, the other day my mother brought her murano with a check engine light when,the car wouldn't go uphills,running rough,wont rev up to 2500 rpm,came to find out it was a bad ignition coils ,was a real pita to remove the intake plenum to access the other coils.
Awesome video brother,It helped me rule a lot of stuff out and save a ton of time.Thanks for helping us nitwits out lol.Keep doing what you’re doing sir,and god bless
For someone that's planning on enrolling in an evening parr-time automotive program, watching SMA & Scannerdanner is like homework that'll help me hut the ground running. I am curious as to why the program that I'm enrolling in doesn't offer a/c, transmission/transaxle, a/c & heating or engine performance. I wanna eventually take all 8 ASE exams (excluding automotive diesel)
I also wanted to add that my wife's car obviously has a refrigerant leak somewhere if it needed refrigerant. I will check the compressor shaft seal and around the compressor first with leak detector bubbles. Remember, refrigerant does not wear out or get weak, if you need to add some, you have a leak, or a clog, or a possible mechanical failure inside the compressor, and some Subarus have that, what I think is a stupid, stretch belt setup that puts too much tension on the belt, which is great for wearing out compressor seals and bearings. A spring loaded auto belt tensioner would have been a better choice.
South Main Auto Repair LLC I know this video is old but I have the same question that i noticed you never replied to in previous comments. So I checked all my fuses and relays then connected the green wire and fans came on but once I unplug it and turn the car back an the fans don't come on after engaging ac or after hitting high temperatures.
I just bought an 09 outback. Has all new radiator system belt head gaskets. Was still having issues with heat and smelling coolant. The driver fan wasn't working. Easy fix nowits driving good
Super helpful video for me. Only question is my fan just turns on for a few second then off. It doesn’t wait till the temp has dropped. Is this normal?
I found the video very helpful! I've got an 2008 impreza with cooling fan/overheating issues. When I turn on the AC neither fan switches on. When I run the car past operating temperatures neither fan kickes on, however, when I plugged the green test connectors together both fans srarted up. This leads me to believe all fuses and relays are good so I have changed out the collant temperature sensor but unfortuantly the issue persists. I am quite stumped at this point and am considering wiring a manual switch with direct power to fans. Any thaughts?
I have this code on my 2004 Forester and I cleared it once but it came back three days later. Before I diagnose I have a couple of questions. If I do a systems check under the dash will that rule out faulty relays and harnesses to the fan. Also should I look into the thermostat or engine control temp sensor? Any info would help thanks
What if my fans never kick on even after the green connector test proves that my fans are being controlled by the computer? I've tried all the other obvious tests as well like the checking the fuses and starting the car and running the AC and letting it get up to temp with no fan action...
Hi Eric, great video. I have the same question as Ezzry Leon. I have a 98 Outback that the fans would not turn on when engine temperature gauge is high. But if I connect the green plug both fans run. I connect a OBD code reader to the ECM, (well not as good model as yours) that displays no code. Could you suggest anything else I need to look at? Thank you for help.
Excellent educational content and video Thank you!!!! My dash temperature gauge is pinned in the over H position with the key out or in. Not sure what the to do... thoughts?
I don't have a check engine light and no codes were found. The car was very hot a couple times still no check engine light. Also looked around for evidence of Mr. Mouse. So far I haven't found any damage. Will follow your footsteps here and see where that leads. Where are those other fuses located??? Thanks for the video....
If you could only afford 1scanner and was planning on purchasing one. Keeping in mind you have a 2 channel scope that works what scanner would buy. Would like to have 4 channel scope but the scope i have now is a vantage legend and don't want to learn how to operate a pico a all my accessories I have are for snap-on
Really a great video! I was glad that you went through the whole process of checking several things. I’m having a slight overheating problem on my ‘05 Outback XT. The fans come on only when the A/C is On. But if the A/C is Off, they don’t turn On once the engine has reached operating temperature.. What could this be??
@@densmaish5586 Yes, the previous owner clamped one of the HVAC coolant hoses pressurizing the cooling system and therefore overheating the engine. 🤦🏻♂️ Seems like there was a leak in the cabin. I have since taken care of the issue.
@@densmaish5586 That’s great! I replaced the motor on mine lol 😆 the engine seized from a spun rod bearing. Did all the work myself, very proud. Car is working great now. 😃
I know this is so long ago but please respond. Working on my 2016 subaru legacy... The car is not overhearing yet...but it's pending. Here is the issue, the fan does not come on automatically as it should. I can use the ac to trigger fan and they will come on. temp will go all the way up to 217f fan doesn't come on. I've change thermostat and made sure the jiggle valve is facing the same position as the original. I removed the waterpump and it is not damaged or broken. The radiator is full of coolant and I had the car running with the radiator cap off for one hr to purge any trap air. Also change the engine coolant temperature sensor. Took it on the highway for about 30mins at 80mph in Georgia. It did not over heat but when I can back home the top radiator hose was hot which is normal but the bottom rad hose was just barely warm. What the hell. I'm using a basic obd scanner/reader. I'm able to view live data to see ect temp while I'm driving. At 80mph the car went up to 210f used the ac to turn the fan on and bring it back down. I also switch around the relays with horn etc they all work OK
Thanks for this video! We had this replaced on our 2017 outback 3.6r but only the passenger side radiator fan turns on when we have the AC on and idle. I’ve tried a bunch of different ac settings but none of them make the drivers side fan turn. Is this normal?
I don't know if you check the comments but I did everything you said and the fans came on every time except for when turn the AC on and when I allowed it to get to running temperature in your opinion what could be the problem
I hope you can point me in the right direction. I went through the steps you show when I jump the relays my fans wont turn on and at one of the fuses the one closest to the fender only power is on one side all the fuses are tested good as well as the ones in the dash I made up power to the fans and they work the relays test good as well I also replaced the temp sensor. any suggestions ??
I have an 09 Impreza same issue . Something to do with the aircon fan. Themofans only come straight on if air con s on when it’s off the themo fans only come on sometimes?
See the car for regular service and the code never came back. No tsb's that I saw on this code. Not really sure the cause but they are still driving around happy :)
I’ve got the issue of the fans not kicking on when I try it on the relay connection. Fuses are good, 30 and 31 on 2011 outback but no voltage at relay plugin
Question fans got clogged with mud, didnt notice, come summer overheated blown fuses. But now both fans will kick on but fuses get hot and blow could both fans be messes up as far as motors.?mecanics here are outrageous. When fans unplugged fuses stay good. Why would they get so hot so fast and blow. I traced wiring all looks good no damages. So just wondering about fan motors thanks i. Advace if u read this 96 Subaru legacy. I did jump a wire to check andwire got hot
I guess this is bittersweet. Sweet because there doesn't seem to be a problem but bitter because the customer will have to pay something for your time. How do you bill for this? Basic diagnostic fee, one hour of labor? Please advise. Thanks so much.
When jumping the relay prongs, if the fans did not turn on what would be your next check? My fans work when jumped individually directly to battery. But jumping circuit board did not power them on
Thanks, this circuit tip is helpful!😀 If the a.c. clutch doesn't activate and the a.c. relay doesn't activate would that create a negative feedback to the computer that prevents the fans from working when the engine is running. The fans definitely work in this mode and the main fan relay is tactile/ feelable but the fan 1 and 2 maybe clicking but I definitely don't feel both clicking and the a.c. relay is not clicking but all fuses visibly are okay. Doesnt an a.c temperature or pressure switch in the a.c. circuit with engine running precede the operating of the a.c. compressor clutch and relay(according to someones' previously seen video indirectly) but how could that then mess with the computer to stop the fans working as regular engine cooling fans under normal engine running priority; in a running flow chart versus this computer to circuit and component diagnostic mode could there be a different priority sequence where the fans are stopped because it is defaulting to a a.c. no function blocking the engine cooling fan function but when I started before erasing codes there was no codes indicated for the ac system. Example thought: Currently in this diagnostic run the abs is dead as a doornail but there was no abs codes prior to running this diagnosis circuit(seen it by accident in here something I heard in the thoughts to click on this video but that was all I could distinguish and whereby after the fact indirect to do with abs you talk about the Dealer Diagnosis green connector as the other guy calls it) and the abs lamp bulb illuminates on start-up. In one abs presentation the one guy claimed a burnt out stop lamp prohibited the abs system from functioning in that vehicle which intuitively makes no sense but to a pissed-off computer geek it could be a simple fireing back against the world.
The green "relay test" connector is a nice touch. Subaru with an intermittent cooling fan problem sounds promising for head gaskets and more in the near future! Especially if the driver is one of the hopeful dummies that thinks they can make it the 3 more miles to home, and "it'll probably be fine".
I have one of those Bluetooth OBD2 port things, and I don't have any codes yet, but it says I have a pending P0483. I can hear my fans kick on, so they're working. I might have to check my fuses then right?
HI, thanks for the great explanation about the code for the radiator fan. I have a 1999 Subaru outback that has overheating issue. one of the problem is that the fan kicks in when the car is the operating temperature but fan never stop running... I replace the thermostat and bleed the air in the system but still the same... any tips.. i really appreciate it.
My 2005 Saabaru, sub fan works if I jump it but doesn't come on with the a/c or at high temps. Are there any relays/fuse under dash? If so where are they exactly?
so i checked my 20a fuses and they aren't blown. and I connected the green wires underneath the dash. and they work. but the fans won't turn on(for the actual and cooling fan) after like 10min of warming up. I don't have a rely checker to see if my rely are workung. would I just assume that the rely's are out and start replacing them?
P0507(171) Stored Idle Air Control System RPM Higher Than Expected DTC Severity 2 of 3: Repair immediately if drivability issues.… I have a 1998 Subaru outback legacy. How do I adjust that and where is it located? Could you make a video in the near future because I use voice to text to send this message and a an illiterate so video really helps me out. Thanks.
what about if my fans are staying on when the engines running ?... the opposite problem been a watcher all through your rebuild series and did it myself on my partners bh9 , a big thankyou from us !
Hey man. I have an '02 Legacy and ive been having problems with the engine overheating for the past month or so. Thought it was just due to the hot weather we are having down here in Vegas but the it seems something is definitely not working. No error codes, but the temp gauge starts to creep up after about 30~40mins of driving and stabilizes back down if i turn the AC off. I did that trick where you plug in the two green connector wires under the steering column and everything seems to be moving/activated except for the fan on the drivers side(main fan?) All the fuses work and i even tried to see if it was a bad relay and swapped the main relay with the sub fan relay, and still the driver side fan wasn't moving. I'm hoping its just the fan giving up after 20 years of hard work and not a bigger issue like the ECU. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also is that connector trick unique to subarus because everyone i seemed to mention it to while trying to get answers seemed surprised that was even an option on a car.
I see p0692 error on the obd. low level radiator fan is not working. relays works. high level works. do you have an idea to fix this? my car is legacy 2004
I’ve had this same code on my ‘08 Forester. I have a slow coolant leak and this code comes on when it gets low. Top off the coolant, drive for awhile, and the code goes away.
ONE THING NOT COVERED IS THE COOLING FAN TEMP SWITCH I JUST ORDERED ANOTHER. MY FANS COME ON AFTER THE THE CAR IS SPEWING STEAM AND OVER HEATED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE SWITCH IS LOCATED. WISH YOU WOULD HAVE SHOWED IT.AND THE SWITCH I ORDERED COMES ON AT 185 SHUTS DOWN AT 174
Great Electrical troubleshoot video Eric. So in this case how you charge the customer if nothing wrong was found? Is this same Subaru you've been doing all the repairs?
Well I have to charge for my time obviously, minus the camera time. Most of my customers are repeat and loyal so depending on the time involved, some of these jobs are just swept under the rug but not every case. I don't think I've done any videos on this one yet. This has a 2.5 DOHC in it. I think it is a 97ish. I live in Subaru country and most shops in our area hate them so I see a lot of them because I love to work on them.
Excellent methodical troubleshooting!
Just wanted to say I own 3 high mileage early 2000’s Subarus.
Every time I’ve seen this code it’s always started out as kind of a phantom issue.
Meaning everything’s working when I start troubleshooting.
I’ll clear the code and sometime later it’ll come back again but still everything seems to work.
As time goes on it gets more & more frequent.
For me it’s always one or both fans at the end of their life.
I’ve even cracked open the fan motors and seen that the brushes will be completely worn out. I usually just get salvage yard fans but you never know how many miles are on them. I’ve only had a fan failure repeat once on one car and that was about 2 years later.
My belief is as the fan motors brushes approach the end of their life the fan will begin to intermittently fail to start. Eventually it’ll get bad enough that the fan motor just can’t run anymore because there’s no brushes left.
Just throwing that out there 😎
I just did a radiator replacement on a 2001 Subaru Outback 2.5 L...I noticed the coolant fans didn't came on...I turned on the AC and both fans came on. After watching this I understand why they never came on. Thank you for making such useful video.
I diagnosed my fan problem thanks to you. It seems the mechanic didn't plug in the fan... Glad it was an easy fix!
That was a big help for me, thanks. I had 2 issues, one relay in the wrong place, and one fan had come unplugged. Cheers!
As a fellow technician I have watched several of your videos and really appreciate your attention to detail and level of professionalism. As you know, intermittent problems are one of the most difficult items we face. I see you have a Verus which is a great tool but, I'm not sure if I have seen you use and amp clamp for diagnosis as yet. When you had the relay bypassed to verify the fan operation would have been a great time to connect an amp clamp and view the amp pattern. With any brush type motor we would look to see a consistently even hump like pattern at a steady amp rating. Missing or low humps in the pattern could be an indication of poor brush to rotor contact and would also slow the rate at which the motor would turn. Sometimes this drop in speed is barely noticeable so, viewing the pattern will help. If the fan would shut off in the area of poor contact would it have enough current flowing to restart? Sometimes the airflow from road speed will turn the fan blade and get it going where sitting at idle it won't and the vehicle will overheat. I see your partial to the scope on a rope which also can be used to check an intermittent fan. If the fan is power side switched and has a constant ground you can connect the test light to B+ and back probe either the B+ side of the fan connector or relay fan side feed and spin the motor slowly by hand. the light should stay solidly lit, if there is constantly good brush to rotor contact. If it's B+ fed and ground side switched then attach the test light to ground and back probe the negative side of the fan connector.Again the light should stay on constant if the motor is good. I realize that there isn't the current flowing like with the fan operating but I have found many intermittent cooling fans this way if a scope wasn't available. Keep up the great work and sharing your knowledge!
Bluewrench61 Yeah that is a great point and thanks for sharing your wisdom. I have scoped (with low amp probe) HVAC blower motors to check for intermittents. I like the idea with the test light to check for uninterrupted current flow. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!
Excellent contribution to the thread, I scroll through comments every day to find constructive remarks like this one. Eric already knew all of that, but I've never seen it explained so well.
Oh Wow!! I say just drive faster and get that air flowing!
Bluewrench61 you had a great comment on a cooling fan issue that I watched on UA-cam hoping for a little advice. My question for you . What would cause cooling fans to come on at a higher temperature 245 now then it did 6 months ago 190 ? Everything seams to be working correctly except I would like to see the fans come on earlier. This is on a Subaru Outback 2002 thanks for any info you may have on this Mark cale
Nice video bro. First one I've watched by you.
Hey thanks Paul, appreciate that, thanks for checking it out.
Excellent video, I'm subbing
Nicely done video! I watch videos like this all the time and some people have the gift of it like you and Paul and some people's videos are painful to watch .Lol. keep them coming awesome stuff!
Hey thanks 70corwin. I enjoy watching Paul too and seeing some one use a very logical approach to diagnosing vehicles. Smart man and I really hope his students see the value of his teaching and can pick up on his methods as well as his mannerisms and logical way of thinking. That's a lot to take in for a young mechanic.
I agree! Wish I had a instructor like him when I went through UTI back in the 80's. I left that school dangerous at best. Took me many years later and on going training to get where I'm at now and still wish I new way more.
Diagnosing my Subaru with this video *RIGHT NOW!* Snowball would be proud. Thank you, Eric! And R.I.P. Snowball.
i was travelling from canada to florida this christmas and i told my son in ny state,pensylvania ,and west virginia we will see many subaru vehicles due to the mountains around pittsburgh pa and i was right good choice my fellow american friends.
As always! Saved me some money and helped me understand another code on my car! Keep doing what you’re doing my friend always helpful/useful information!
I have a 2004 Outback and just had the same thing happen as in this video. I wasn't able to check the relays as you did but plugging in the green connectors showed they were working. I cleared the code started the car and they were off ran it for a moment and they never came on. Checked around some more and went back out and thwarted the car and they were running. The only thing prior to getting the code was I was sitting in line idling. Thanks for the video and informing me about the green connectors.
Great video and explanation. I have been working on my daughters Outback and this helped narrow down the issue! Nice work and thank you,
Very good video. I see scanner danner giving you props. Its great to have people like you and Danner to help others. Keep up with more electrical Diagnostics vids especially check engine and failed Emissions
Hey ***** Thanks for watching :)
Hinde bardar
Mo8605992261
Vaering problems
Thank you very much for posting this...rebuilding a 2005 Legacy with my son as a project car and your detailed yet easy to digest format makes this extremely useful info!!! Great video.
Attention to detail and approach is great even if no problem found. One thing, the computer monitors how well the engine cooling system is cooling during fan operation. So correlation between engine coolant temperature and when the fan is commanded on. Going into more detail of the conditions required or symptoms of each fault code I find would be highly sought after. So maybe something as simple as a blockage of air flow though the radiator such as leaves or debris.
+brasanford1 Car has been in the shop for service sense this vid and the light has never come back on. Crazy lights any how.
P0483. Rationality check. That's what I'm going to call it when my wife has a fit next time. "What's that noise?" "Oh, the wife's just throwing a P0483 again..." :)
^^^ He snapped 😂🤣🤣
You the man! Great instructions that helped me fix the very problem with my Outback.
If I'm correct, this is the first video in which he changed his moniker from "Dr. O" to "Eric O". This is also the first video where he references us as "viewers", instead of collectively as "UA-cam". Cool 😎
I'll say the into, WELCOME BACK TO The South Main Auto channel!
It’s 2019...great video. My daughter has a 1999 Forrester
For anyone slightly confused.
* If you can jump your relay and force your fan on you know the wiring from fuse box to fan is good
* If you connect green test plugs and one of your fans or both are not coming on you know there is a fault between the ECM and the one fan or both
Thanks for the video, I have a 2003 outback, same error code. Not a mechanic, but this was helpful. Looks like my fan was working but it might be the low coolant as someone pointed out below.
One thing you didn't consider, on my 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback with only a 139000 miles, great service maintenance upkeep. The top of my radiator was warm and the bottom was cold. I would get the fan problem code occasionally and checking all the things you checked everything was fine. It was a clogged up radiator. And the computer was sensing that the fans were not going on at the right time because of the radiator. Many people end up with a gasket problem and then they fix their head gasket and the whole problem at the beginning was a clogged up radiator! So even after a whole head gasket fix, they still have the problem that caused it in the 1st place. If your Check Engine light goes on and this code comes up please everyone, check your radiator and just change it. If everything else is normal it probably is the radiator.
Hey ! Nice video !
If you don't mind, I would like to add a very important issue I just had. The ac in my wife's car was blowing warm air with the vehicle stopped, the ac compressor was engaged and running constantly but the compressor itself was very hot, both radiator fans running slow so I thought there was an issue with the high speed fan relay or maybe a pressure switch for the ac refrigerant pressure. I just happened to grab the refrigerant suction line where it comes through the firewall into the engine compartment, and it was warm, very warm. After speeding up the idle, it was still not very cool, so I proceeded to add refrigerant slowly, feeling for cooling to come back though the firewall on the suction line (the larger refrigerant line). Within a minute, the fans revved up to high speed, the refrigerant suction line started getting cool, and the ac cranks now, even at 96 degrees outside. So just keep in mind, there is a pressure switch somewhere for high speed on both fans and most importantly, the ac compressor DID NOT rapidly cycle on/off as many do when the refrigerant charge gets low. I know I should have checked the refrigerant pressures, but my method of checking suction line temp is pretty good too. In my case, just a touch led me in the right direction. I hope this helps.
Great description on how to troubleshoot the electrical portion of this problem. I was wondering though why you didn’t explore the thermostat as a possible cause of the error code. A failed thermostat is the most common cause of that particular code on Subaru’s.
Thanks a lot, very much appreciated. Lismore NSW Australia
here I'm wondering how you removed those relays so easily lol
MickBob by Annapolis ;Nice Video, Have a 1998 outback w/240k, 2002 WRX wagon w/241K, and a 2004 Wrx wagon w/112k this helped alot with diagnosing my cooling fan problems.
thanks eric, if it wasn't your video I wouldn't know crap about diagnostic, before I used to be more of a part changer now,I found myself with more on the diagnostic side I started buying more diagnostic tools than wrench and ratchet, the other day my mother brought her murano with a check engine light when,the car wouldn't go uphills,running rough,wont rev up to 2500 rpm,came to find out it was a bad ignition coils ,was a real pita to remove the intake plenum to access the other coils.
Very helpful. Good look at all the related parts and clear explanations of what to check. Thanks!
Awesome video brother,It helped me rule a lot of stuff out and save a ton of time.Thanks for helping us nitwits out lol.Keep doing what you’re doing sir,and god bless
Well done mate. Everything you need & easy to follow.
Thanks dude for another great video for us to learn from.
Yw, Thanks for watching :)
this helped me find my fan issue - THANKS!!!
magicsammy Cool glad it helped
Dude You are awesome! I was able to fix my fans after using the green connector trick! thanks so much! I just subscribed and liked the video
For someone that's planning on enrolling in an evening parr-time automotive program, watching SMA & Scannerdanner is like homework that'll help me hut the ground running. I am curious as to why the program that I'm enrolling in doesn't offer a/c, transmission/transaxle, a/c & heating or engine performance. I wanna eventually take all 8 ASE exams (excluding automotive diesel)
Really helpful troubleshooting guide for that code! Thanks!!
Thank you for the video. My Subie is not throwing a code but the fans are not coming on. Going home to check my fuses. Wish me luck.
Really great info on how to find and fix relays.
I also wanted to add that my wife's car obviously has a refrigerant leak somewhere if it needed refrigerant. I will check the compressor shaft seal and around the compressor first with leak detector bubbles. Remember, refrigerant does not wear out or get weak, if you need to add some, you have a leak, or a clog, or a possible mechanical failure inside the compressor, and some Subarus have that, what I think is a stupid, stretch belt setup that puts too much tension on the belt, which is great for wearing out compressor seals and bearings. A spring loaded auto belt tensioner would have been a better choice.
Low engine coolant level may cause this. I'm working the same issue on a 1999 Legacy.
Your videos are very helpful brother
Thanks frank rojo :)
South Main Auto Repair LLC I know this video is old but I have the same question that i noticed you never replied to in previous comments. So I checked all my fuses and relays then connected the green wire and fans came on but once I unplug it and turn the car back an the fans don't come on after engaging ac or after hitting high temperatures.
Did you ever figure this problem out?
I just bought an 09 outback. Has all new radiator system belt head gaskets. Was still having issues with heat and smelling coolant. The driver fan wasn't working. Easy fix nowits driving good
Thank you very much. This video was very informative and helpful.
Great video very help full. thanks solved my problem
Super helpful video for me. Only question is my fan just turns on for a few second then off. It doesn’t wait till the temp has dropped. Is this normal?
I found the video very helpful! I've got an 2008 impreza with cooling fan/overheating issues. When I turn on the AC neither fan switches on. When I run the car past operating temperatures neither fan kickes on, however, when I plugged the green test connectors together both fans srarted up. This leads me to believe all fuses and relays are good so I have changed out the collant temperature sensor but unfortuantly the issue persists. I am quite stumped at this point and am considering wiring a manual switch with direct power to fans. Any thaughts?
You saved my day in this video Thanks a lot
Thank you very much love watching your videos. Very thorough
I have this code on my 2004 Forester and I cleared it once but it came back three days later. Before I diagnose I have a couple of questions. If I do a systems check under the dash will that rule out faulty relays and harnesses to the fan. Also should I look into the thermostat or engine control temp sensor? Any info would help thanks
What if my fans never kick on even after the green connector test proves that my fans are being controlled by the computer?
I've tried all the other obvious tests as well like the checking the fuses and starting the car and running the AC and letting it get up to temp with no fan action...
Any answers to this question?
Ever figure out what that was about by chance?
Hi Eric, great video. I have the same question as Ezzry Leon. I have a 98 Outback that the fans would not turn on when engine temperature gauge is high. But if I connect the green plug both fans run. I connect a OBD code reader to the ECM, (well not as good model as yours) that displays no code. Could you suggest anything else I need to look at? Thank you for help.
Coolant temp sensor maybe
Excellent educational content and video Thank you!!!! My dash temperature gauge is pinned in the over H position with the key out or in. Not sure what the to do... thoughts?
I don't have a check engine light and no codes were found. The car was very hot a couple times still no check engine light. Also looked around for evidence of Mr. Mouse. So far I haven't found any damage. Will follow your footsteps here and see where that leads. Where are those other fuses located???
Thanks for the video....
Great video, makes me want to be a mechanic!
Excellent video. He would make a great teacher.
If you could only afford 1scanner and was planning on purchasing one. Keeping in mind you have a 2 channel scope that works what scanner would buy. Would like to have 4 channel scope but the scope i have now is a vantage legend and don't want to learn how to operate a pico a all my accessories I have are for snap-on
Really a great video! I was glad that you went through the whole process of checking several things. I’m having a slight overheating problem on my ‘05 Outback XT. The fans come on only when the A/C is On. But if the A/C is Off, they don’t turn On once the engine has reached operating temperature.. What could this be??
Hey Mike! Did you get a diagnosis on this? My 2005 Saabaru has the same issue
@@densmaish5586 Yes, the previous owner clamped one of the HVAC coolant hoses pressurizing the cooling system and therefore overheating the engine. 🤦🏻♂️ Seems like there was a leak in the cabin. I have since taken care of the issue.
@Mike_44 thanks for the update. Thankfully, mine turned out to be a stuck thermostat. Much better than a bad gasket etc
@@densmaish5586 That’s great! I replaced the motor on mine lol 😆 the engine seized from a spun rod bearing. Did all the work myself, very proud. Car is working great now. 😃
I know this is so long ago but please respond. Working on my 2016 subaru legacy... The car is not overhearing yet...but it's pending. Here is the issue, the fan does not come on automatically as it should. I can use the ac to trigger fan and they will come on. temp will go all the way up to 217f fan doesn't come on. I've change thermostat and made sure the jiggle valve is facing the same position as the original. I removed the waterpump and it is not damaged or broken. The radiator is full of coolant and I had the car running with the radiator cap off for one hr to purge any trap air. Also change the engine coolant temperature sensor. Took it on the highway for about 30mins at 80mph in Georgia. It did not over heat but when I can back home the top radiator hose was hot which is normal but the bottom rad hose was just barely warm. What the hell. I'm using a basic obd scanner/reader. I'm able to view live data to see ect temp while I'm driving. At 80mph the car went up to 210f used the ac to turn the fan on and bring it back down. I also switch around the relays with horn etc they all work OK
Would this be an indication of a faulty thermostat? Like, if the fans were just running constantly?
Thanks for this video! We had this replaced on our 2017 outback 3.6r but only the passenger side radiator fan turns on when we have the AC on and idle. I’ve tried a bunch of different ac settings but none of them make the drivers side fan turn. Is this normal?
I knew a guy who had an older truck that would over heat. He changed everything but the hoses and yep the hose was collapsing and not allowing a flow.
Thanks for your informative video Bro
I don't know if you check the comments but I did everything you said and the fans came on every time except for when turn the AC on and when I allowed it to get to running temperature in your opinion what could be the problem
By chance can you let me know, did you ever figure out the problem?
Outstanding video. Thanks!
I hope you can point me in the right direction. I went through the steps you show when I jump the relays my fans wont turn on and at one of the fuses the one closest to the fender only power is on one side all the fuses are tested good as well as the ones in the dash I made up power to the fans and they work the relays test good as well I also replaced the temp sensor. any suggestions ??
thank you for this video it helped a lot. 🖒🖒
you'd be a great auto shop teacher
Thanks, I checked the fuses and one was blown, both fans work now,, I will see if the fuse blows again ,if not all is good.
alwasys good videos, just wanted to ask about ur Verus scanner, does it bring up electrical diagram on many makes of cars etc...
hunkydude322 I use www.prodemand.com for that
@@SouthMainAuto "Not a sponsor" :)
I have an 09 Impreza same issue . Something to do with the aircon fan. Themofans only come straight on if air con s on when it’s off the themo fans only come on sometimes?
Excellent job as usual
Did this code ever return? Seems like a false dtc. Did you happen to check for any TSB's? Maybe computer software reflash? Great video.
See the car for regular service and the code never came back. No tsb's that I saw on this code. Not really sure the cause but they are still driving around happy :)
Which brand/model of EBDII bluetooth module do you most recommend for use with Subaru vehicles?
I’ve got the issue of the fans not kicking on when I try it on the relay connection. Fuses are good, 30 and 31 on 2011 outback but no voltage at relay plugin
Question fans got clogged with mud, didnt notice, come summer overheated blown fuses. But now both fans will kick on but fuses get hot and blow could both fans be messes up as far as motors.?mecanics here are outrageous. When fans unplugged fuses stay good. Why would they get so hot so fast and blow. I traced wiring all looks good no damages. So just wondering about fan motors thanks i. Advace if u read this 96 Subaru legacy. I did jump a wire to check andwire got hot
I guess this is bittersweet. Sweet because there doesn't seem to be a problem but bitter because the customer will have to pay something for your time. How do you bill for this? Basic diagnostic fee, one hour of labor? Please advise. Thanks so much.
When jumping the relay prongs, if the fans did not turn on what would be your next check? My fans work when jumped individually directly to battery. But jumping circuit board did not power them on
thanks for video saves me alot of time.
Thanks, this circuit tip is helpful!😀 If the a.c. clutch doesn't activate and the a.c. relay doesn't activate would that create a negative feedback to the computer that prevents the fans from working when the engine is running. The fans definitely work in this mode and the main fan relay is tactile/ feelable but the fan 1 and 2 maybe clicking but I definitely don't feel both clicking and the a.c. relay is not clicking but all fuses visibly are okay. Doesnt an a.c temperature or pressure switch in the a.c. circuit with engine running precede the operating of the a.c. compressor clutch and relay(according to someones' previously seen video indirectly) but how could that then mess with the computer to stop the fans working as regular engine cooling fans under normal engine running priority; in a running flow chart versus this computer to circuit and component diagnostic mode could there be a different priority sequence where the fans are stopped because it is defaulting to a a.c. no function blocking the engine cooling fan function but when I started before erasing codes there was no codes indicated for the ac system.
Example thought: Currently in this diagnostic run the abs is dead as a doornail but there was no abs codes prior to running this diagnosis circuit(seen it by accident in here something I heard in the thoughts to click on this video but that was all I could distinguish and whereby after the fact indirect to do with abs you talk about the Dealer Diagnosis green connector as the other guy calls it) and the abs lamp bulb illuminates on start-up. In one abs presentation the one guy claimed a burnt out stop lamp prohibited the abs system from functioning in that vehicle which intuitively makes no sense but to a pissed-off computer geek it could be a simple fireing back against the world.
The green "relay test" connector is a nice touch.
Subaru with an intermittent cooling fan problem sounds promising for head gaskets and more in the near future!
Especially if the driver is one of the hopeful dummies that thinks they can make it the 3 more miles to home, and "it'll probably be fine".
I have one of those Bluetooth OBD2 port things, and I don't have any codes yet, but it says I have a pending P0483. I can hear my fans kick on, so they're working. I might have to check my fuses then right?
HI, thanks for the great explanation about the code for the radiator fan. I have a 1999 Subaru outback that has overheating issue. one of the problem is that the fan kicks in when the car is the operating temperature but fan never stop running... I replace the thermostat and bleed the air in the system but still the same... any tips.. i really appreciate it.
Water pump circulating coolant ?
My 2005 Saabaru, sub fan works if I jump it but doesn't come on with the a/c or at high temps. Are there any relays/fuse under dash? If so where are they exactly?
so i checked my 20a fuses and they aren't blown. and I connected the green wires underneath the dash. and they work. but the fans won't turn on(for the actual and cooling fan) after like 10min of warming up. I don't have a rely checker to see if my rely are workung. would I just assume that the rely's are out and start replacing them?
Did you ever get into solving this issue?
Very helpful, thanks!
P0507(171) Stored
Idle Air Control System RPM
Higher Than Expected
DTC Severity 2 of 3: Repair immediately if drivability issues.… I have a 1998 Subaru outback legacy. How do I adjust that and where is it located? Could you make a video in the near future because I use voice to text to send this message and a an illiterate so video really helps me out. Thanks.
what are the two plugs connections on the top front passenger side of a 2006 outback ?
what about if my fans are staying on when the engines running ?...
the opposite problem
been a watcher all through your rebuild series and did it myself on my partners bh9 , a big thankyou from us !
Stuck relay? Bad coolant temperature sensor?
Hey man. I have an '02 Legacy and ive been having problems with the engine overheating for the past month or so. Thought it was just due to the hot weather we are having down here in Vegas but the it seems something is definitely not working. No error codes, but the temp gauge starts to creep up after about 30~40mins of driving and stabilizes back down if i turn the AC off. I did that trick where you plug in the two green connector wires under the steering column and everything seems to be moving/activated except for the fan on the drivers side(main fan?) All the fuses work and i even tried to see if it was a bad relay and swapped the main relay with the sub fan relay, and still the driver side fan wasn't moving. I'm hoping its just the fan giving up after 20 years of hard work and not a bigger issue like the ECU. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also is that connector trick unique to subarus because everyone i seemed to mention it to while trying to get answers seemed surprised that was even an option on a car.
Do you leave the 2 green connectors in while you driving? or do you just plug them in to test the fans?
Great video. Thanks for the info.
I see p0692 error on the obd. low level radiator fan is not working. relays works. high level works. do you have an idea to fix this? my car is legacy 2004
I’ve had this same code on my ‘08 Forester. I have a slow coolant leak and this code comes on when it gets low. Top off the coolant, drive for awhile, and the code goes away.
The green plugs under the dash. If the relay is bad would the fan still work?
ONE THING NOT COVERED IS THE COOLING FAN TEMP SWITCH I JUST ORDERED ANOTHER. MY FANS COME ON AFTER THE THE CAR IS SPEWING STEAM AND OVER HEATED. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE THE SWITCH IS LOCATED. WISH YOU WOULD HAVE SHOWED IT.AND THE SWITCH I ORDERED COMES ON AT 185 SHUTS DOWN AT 174
How is autel scanner you are using am thinking of getting one
Thank you so much for sharing
Be well be safe
Great Electrical troubleshoot video Eric. So in this case how you charge the customer if nothing wrong was found?
Is this same Subaru you've been doing all the repairs?
Well I have to charge for my time obviously, minus the camera time. Most of my customers are repeat and loyal so depending on the time involved, some of these jobs are just swept under the rug but not every case. I don't think I've done any videos on this one yet. This has a 2.5 DOHC in it. I think it is a 97ish. I live in Subaru country and most shops in our area hate them so I see a lot of them because I love to work on them.
If i remove the main fan relay and jump it and only one fan works is the main fan relay bad?