P0482: Fan 3 Control Circuit

The engine module switches cooling fan stages through relays, pulling each relay coil to ground. P0482 concerns the control circuit of the third stage or relay: with the driver off the line should sit at battery voltage through the coil, and the internal pull-up level means an open circuit (Saab ME9: more than 1 s, 10–18 V, engine running). On the GM-based Saab 9-5 of 2011 it is relay 3 (medium stage) of a two-fan network, with shorts reported as P0695/P0696. GM tables list P0482 only in fault groups; Ford's OBD summaries do not contain it. One fan stage then fails.

Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• One fan stage fails – temperature rises in traffic or when towing
• Air conditioning weaker at standstill

Most likely causes

• Fan relay 3 faulty (coil open) or not seated properly
• Control wire open or high-resistance, corroded or backed-out pins
• Relay coil supply missing (fuse, supply wire)
• Driver in the engine module

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. With the engine cold, check the coolant level; never do this when the system is hot
2. Check the actual temperature in live data
3. Make sure the fan comes on when it should
4. Check the thermostat and connector
5. Measure the sensor and replace it if its readings do not make sense

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: medium
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P0482 means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• 4: Emissions
• 82: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0482?

Watch the temperature gauge. If it climbs or a warning appears, stop the car in a safe place and turn off the engine: overheating can cause serious damage.

What causes code P0482?

The most common causes are: fan relay 3 faulty (coil open) or not seated properly; control wire open or high-resistance, corroded or backed-out pins; relay coil supply missing (fuse, supply wire).

Related codes

• P0480Fan 1 Control Circuit
• P0481Fan 2 Control Circuit
• P0695Fan 3 Control Circuit Low
• P0696Fan 3 Control Circuit High
• P0483Fan Rationality Check
• P0485Fan Power/Ground Circuit

Sources

• saabwisonline.com: dtc p0480 p0482 or p0691 p0696
• saabwisonline.com: p0482 00
• gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG04 Engine Diagnostics

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.