P0A81Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Cooling Fan 1 Control Circuit/Open
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- Can trigger limp mode
- How the car detects it
- The controller watches the output that drives battery cooling fan 1 for an open circuit. In the 2016 GM table the fan is commanded at low duty (under 10 %) and the circuit voltage sits between about 1.6 and 5.85 V instead of being pulled low; 16 failures in 20 samples set it as Type B. An older GM program used it as a general fan unit fault judged by a monitor voltage. Ford found P0A81, often with P0A96 for fan 2, in the battery control module of 2005–12 Escape and Mariner Hybrids and replaced both fans; drivers usually noticed nothing. Low and high faults have their own codes (P0A84, P0A85). Without airflow the pack heats up and power may be limited.
- What you may notice
- Check engine or hybrid warning, often no other complaint
- Battery cooling fan does not run when commanded
- Reduced hybrid power in hot conditions
- Likely causes
- LikelyFan motor or its internal electronics open
- PossibleLoose or corroded fan connector, broken control wire
- PossibleBlown fan supply fuse
- RareFaulty output stage in the battery control module
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Medium · Usually a job for a workshop.Typical cost: €80 – €900
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.