P0480 on RAM
Cooling Fan 1 Control Circuit
P0480 on RAM vehicles indicates cooling fan 1 control circuit. Au7o has documented this code across 1 RAM model — most commonly on ProMaster City. P0480 indicates a fault in the engine control module's circuit that operates cooling fan 1 (or the fan relay it drives). The computer detected an open, short, or out-of-range condition in the fan control output. Because the cooling fan helps prevent the engine from overheating — especially at idle, low speeds, or with the A/C on — a fan that won't run can lead to high coolant temperatures. It is worth addressing fairly promptly to avoid overheating, particularly in hot weather or stop-and-go traffic. Typical repair costs on RAM range from $450 to $900, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0480
- •Faulty cooling fan relay
- •Failed cooling fan motor
- •Wiring damage, shorts, or corroded connectors in the fan circuit
- •Blown fuse or fusible link for the fan
- •Poor ground for the fan motor or relay
- •Faulty fan control module (where used)
- •PCM driver circuit fault (less common)
P0480 on RAM by Model
RAM ProMaster City(1 issue)
- Engine Cooling Fan Motor and Fan Control Relay Failure Causing Overheating2015-2018
The single electric cooling fan module used on the ProMaster City fails in two ways: the fan control relay/circuit drops out, and the plastic fan blade separates or the motor seizes. Owners report the fan literally melting off its motor. Because the 2.4L relies entirely on this one fan at low road speed, failure shows up first in stop-and-go delivery duty as a temperature gauge climbing at idle that recovers on the highway. CarComplaints ranks cooling-fan-relay malfunction with engine overheating as the worst reported defect on the 2015 model year, with reports around 24,000-25,000 miles and repair costs near $600-650. A ProMaster City owner documented the dealer replacing the relay for a P0481 code, only to have the van overheat again about 100 miles later because the fan motor itself was the failed part. The same fan module family is used on the Jeep Renegade. Note this is a separate defect from the full-size Ram ProMaster 3.0L diesel / 3.6L gas cooling fan seizure recall - that recall does not cover the City.
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View P0480 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0480 mean on RAM?▼
P0480 stands for "Cooling Fan 1 Control Circuit." P0480 indicates a fault in the engine control module's circuit that operates cooling fan 1 (or the fan relay it drives). The computer detected an open, short, or out-of-range condition in the fan control output. Because the cooling fan helps prevent the engine from overheating — especially at idle, low speeds, or with the A/C on — a fan that won't run can lead to high coolant temperatures. It is worth addressing fairly promptly to avoid overheating, particularly in hot weather or stop-and-go traffic. On RAM specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0480 on RAM vehicles?▼
Common causes on RAM: Faulty cooling fan relay, Failed cooling fan motor, Wiring damage, shorts, or corroded connectors in the fan circuit, Blown fuse or fusible link for the fan, Poor ground for the fan motor or relay. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0480 on a RAM?▼
Repair costs on RAM range from $450 to $900, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which RAM models have P0480 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0480 on 1 RAM model: ProMaster City.