Buy Cadillac ATS Radiator Fans

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Quick Look

The Cadillac ATS engine cooling fan-also called the radiator fan, condenser fan, or electric fan assembly-sits right behind the radiator and pulls air through the core to keep the 2.0 L, 2.5 L, and 3.6 L engines at a safe temperature whether the car is moving or idling. Newer ATS-V versions use twin brushless SPAL fans for extra airflow. A single 11-blade, 18.6-inch, 12-volt fan on most non-V cars can move more than 3,000 CFM while drawing up to 600 watts and weighs under 10 lb. The fan circuit is protected by a 60-amp J-case fuse (#71) in the under-hood block, and the module takes its commands directly from the power-train control module (PCM). A working fan prevents overheating, protects the turbo-chargers, and keeps A/C pressures in check (Main Website, Fuse Box, StartMyCar, ZZPerformance)

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Part Function

The cooling fan pulls or pushes air across the radiator and condenser:

• Low-speed mode comes on near 203 °F (95 °C).
• High-speed mode triggers near 221 °F (105 °C) or any time A/C head pressure tops 250 psi.
• A built-in solid-state controller varies motor speed with a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal, so there is no separate relay on ATS and ATS-V models (Cadillac Forums).

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Key Features

• Brushless motor: longer life, quiet operation, instant torque
• 11-blade axial design: balanced to reduce vibration (Main Website)
• Plastic shroud: channels air evenly across the core and snaps into the radiator support with just two 10 mm bolts (Cadillac Forums)
• Dual-fan upgrade (ATS-V): twin SPAL units share load and cut current draw per motor (ZZPerformance, DeWitts™ Direct Fit® Aluminum Radiators)

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Compatibility

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Symptoms of Failure

• Temperature gauge climbs above 221 °F and drops once the car starts moving.
• A/C cuts off at idle.
• Fan stays stuck on high after shutdown (module shorted).
• P0480, P0481, or P0483 trouble codes (Kbb.com, YourMechanic)
• 60-A fuse #71 blows repeatedly (StartMyCar)

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Diagnostic Steps

1. Check fuse and wiring. Fuse #71 should have battery voltage on both sides with key on .
2. Command fan with a scan tool. If the tool requests 50 % duty cycle but speed stays at 0 %, suspect the fan module.
3. Back-probe the Yellow/Red control wire. Look for a 5 V PWM square wave; no signal suggests PCM or temperature-sensor fault (Reddit).
4. Spin test. With ignition off, the blades should turn smoothly by hand; binding points to bearing failure (Main Website).

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Replacement Steps

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. The electric fan can start any time (Cadillac Europe).
2. Remove air-intake snorkel and upper radiator cover.
3. Unplug the 4-pin connector and release the two upper 10 mm bolts.
4. Lift the shroud straight up, clearing the lower pins, then angle it out.
5. Drop in the new assembly, seat lower pins, install bolts, reconnect plug, and refill any spilled coolant. Total job time: ~45 min with basic tools.

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Torque & Specs

• Fan-shroud bolts: 9 N·m (80 lb-in)
• Coolant type: 50/50 DEX-COOL® mix; system capacity ~9.8 qt
• Normal fan idle speed: 900-1,200 RPM (variable) (Cadillac Forums)

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Maintenance Tips

• Keep condenser fins clean; debris forces the fan to run longer.
• Replace the surge-tank cap if vacuum vents fail; trapped pressure overheats coolant and over-works the fan (Cadillac Europe).
• Inspect harness near the fan-module pigtail for melted insulation-a common cause of repeat fuse failure (Reddit).

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Safety & Recalls

A rear-defogger software update (NHTSA 15V558000) lowers electrical load and can reduce random fan run-on at key-off (Cars.com). Always verify recall status with the VIN on the Cadillac recall portal.

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Related Systems

The same fuse block houses relays for the coolant pump (#53) and aero-shutter (#70). If those fuses blow, airflow across the radiator can drop even with a healthy fan (Fuse Box).

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Trouble Codes

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Q: Where is the cooling-fan fuse on a Cadillac ATS?
A: It's fuse #71 (60 A J-case) in the under-hood engine-compartment block, just ahead of the strut tower (StartMyCar).

Q: Does the ATS have a cooling-fan relay?
A: No. The brushless fan has an internal controller that talks directly to the PCM, so a failed relay is not the issue (Cadillac Forums).

Q: What temperature should make the fan switch on?
A: Low‐speed starts near 203 °F; full speed near 221 °F, or any time the A/C pressure climbs above about 250 psi (Cadillac Europe).

Q: Why does my fan run after I shut the engine off?
A: The PCM will command fan run-on for up to 3 minutes if coolant or turbo temperature is still high; that behavior is normal .

Q: Can I upgrade to an ATS-V dual-fan on a non-V car?
A: Yes, the shroud fits the same radiator, but you must re-pin the connector and update fan-speed tables in the PCM tune (ZZPerformance, DeWitts™ Direct Fit® Aluminum Radiators).

Q: What blows the fan fuse most often?
A: Shorted harness, seized fan motor, or water intrusion into the module; always inspect wiring before replacing the assembly (Kbb.com, Reddit).

Q: Will a bad thermostat stop the fan from working?
A: Yes. On ATS models a stuck-open thermostat can set P0128, prevent coolant from reaching trigger temperature, and the fan may never get the "ON" command (YouTube).

Q: Is there a service bulletin on fan run-on in cold weather?
A: GM bulletins advise checking coolant-level sensors and PCM software; an OTA or dealer flash usually cures excessive after-run (JustAnswer).

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Outbound Resources

• Cadillac Owner's Manual - coolant and fan safety warnings (Cadillac Europe)
• Fuse-box.info diagrams - exact fuse/relay maps for 2013-2019 ATS (Fuse Box)
• Kelley Blue Book OBD guide - plain-English explanations of P0480-series codes (Kbb.com)

Use these references to dive deeper into wiring, diagnostics, and safe repair practices.