The most common cause of this is that the coolant temp sesnor is either bad of disconnected. the system will default to high fan operation if it detects a bad coolant sensor. It will also turn the fans on if it detect high freon pressure or a diconnected a/c pressure switch.
Here is the operational theroy of the system for you.
COOLING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Cooling Fan Control The engine cooling fan system consists of two electrical cooling fans and three fan relays. The relays are arranged in a series/parallel configuration that allows the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to operate both fans together at low or high speeds. The cooling fans and fan relays receive battery positive voltage from the underhood junction block. The ground path is provided at G103.During low speed operation, the PCM supplies the ground path for the low speed fan relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the cooling fan 1 relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and supplies battery positive voltage from the cool fan 1 fuse through the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the left cooling fan. The ground path for the left cooling fan is through the cooling fan S/P relay and the right cooling fan. The result is a series circuit with both fans running at low speed.During high speed operation the PCM supplies the ground path for the cooling fan 1 relay through the low speed cooling fan relay control circuit. After a 3-second delay, the PCM supplies a ground path for the cooling fan 2 relay and the cooling fan S/P relay through the high speed cooling fan relay control circuit. This energizes the cooling fan S/P relay coil, closes the relay contacts, and provides a ground path for the left cooling fan. At the same time the cooling fan 2 relay coil is energized closing the relay contacts and provides battery positive voltage from the cool fan 2 fuse on the cooling fan motor supply voltage circuit to the right cooling fan. During high speed fan operation, both engine cooling fans have there own ground path. The result is a parallel circuit with both fans running at high speed.The PCM commands Low Speed Fans ON under the following conditions:
The PCM commands High Speed Fans on under the following conditions:
Looking at the diagram and reading the operational detail the only thnig I can see if the pcm is good is that realy #1 is stuck. This would give you continous fan operation any time there is voltage to the fans. Control is all ground side on this for the left fan and power side for the right fan, but it uses the right fan in the ground for the left fan for low speed operation of both fans.
Check at the relays to see if the ground is being commanded by the pcm, if not it has to be a relay.
The Modis should show fan command status in the pcm and it should be off.
Do you use I-atn?
The commanded on means that the PCM is for some reason keeping your fans on. I would look at the data stream and see if anything is in the parameters that are listed above to keep fans on.
If you have good accurate inputs and the fans should be off but the pcm is still commanding on then the "logic" says that you have bad pcm.
I am going to paste the replies to a question just like this one on I-ATN, but be sure to look at the last reply. I never did ask if you had any trouble codes, they will keep the fans in default.
This help request was closed with the following on Jan 15, 2004 7:53 AM:
First thanks to all of you that sent us an answer. A couple of you said GM is having trouble with ther computers controlling the fans in this year. We went through the systems and did not see any reason for the computer failing to control the fan operation. But sure enough the new computer had failed. We installed a second computer, flashed burned it and now the fans operate correctly again. We are a little concerned as this fixed this car once before. Only time will tell if it will last. Thanks again for all your help and suggestions.
The following replies were received after this help request was closed:
Been there doing that for the last 40 years!
You can get a tech subscription to I-ATN for $10 a month. Considering the time you lost here it would probably be worth it even if the boss wouldn't pay for it.
A shop subscription cost $20 a month. We have both here and use it ALL the time. It has saved me tons of money.