P0696: Cooling fan 3 control circuit — electrical input high — what it means, the affected system and what to check before replacing parts.
Meaning, symptoms, causes and checks
The monitor for cooling fan 3 control circuit detects an electrical value above the allowed range; this does not by itself prove physically excessive speed, pressure or temperature. The fan number identifies a control channel; it does not establish the relay location or motor layout. Circuit faults and fan-speed faults are different conditions.
Affected system: Engine cooling fan control
Symptoms
- Warning light may illuminate
- Related system function may be impaired
- Vehicle-specific symptoms vary
Possible causes
- Mechanical timing or operating issue, sensor or actuator fault, connector or wiring damage
- Related wiring, connector, power or ground fault
- Vehicle-specific mechanical or control issue
What to check
- Record stored and pending codes and freeze-frame data
- Record freeze-frame conditions; compare relevant live data and inspect mechanical operation, wiring and related fault codes before replacing parts.
- Confirm measured values against the vehicle service information
- Retest under the conditions that set the code
- Record freeze-frame conditions; compare relevant live data and inspect mechanical operation, wiring and related fault codes before replacing parts.
- Repair the verified cause and confirm the code does not return
Also written as: P0696-00, P069600, PO696 (some scan tools add the fault-type byte, e.g. -00).