Open or high-resistance ground circuit between the fan relay and the PCM; Faulty fan relay number three (internal coil open or shorted); Short to voltage on the control circuit between the relay and PCM; Corroded or damaged connector pins at the relay or PCM; Failed PCM driver for the fan relay control circuit; Aftermarket accessories or wiring tapped into the fan circuit causing interference

DTC codes / P06xx · Computer and output circuits / P0696

P0696Fan 3 Control Circuit High

Q: What does code P0696 mean?

Fan 3 Control Circuit High. P0696 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an abnormally high voltage on the control circuit for fan relay number three, which is part of the engine cooling fan system. The PCM commands the relay by providing a ground path, so a high-voltage reading on that circuit typically means the ground command is not being completed or the circuit is shorted to voltage.

P0696 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an abnormally high voltage on the control circuit for fan relay number three, which is part of the engine cooling fan system. The PCM commands the relay by providing a ground path, so a high-voltage reading on that circuit typically means the ground command is not being completed or the circuit is shorted to voltage.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaComputer and output circuits

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light with no other noticeable symptoms
Engine cooling fan may run continuously or not at all, depending on the failure mode
Possible engine overheating if the fan does not activate when needed
Fan relay may click repeatedly or not click at all when commanded
In some vehicles, the air conditioning compressor may be disabled as a protective measure

Common causes, most likely first

Open or high-resistance ground circuit between the fan relay and the PCM
Faulty fan relay number three (internal coil open or shorted)
Short to voltage on the control circuit between the relay and PCM
Corroded or damaged connector pins at the relay or PCM
Failed PCM driver for the fan relay control circuit
Aftermarket accessories or wiring tapped into the fan circuit causing interference

How to diagnose and fix it

Verify the code is current and check for any related fan or cooling system codes
Inspect the fan relay, its connector, and the PCM connector for corrosion or damage
Test the control circuit for continuity to ground with the relay disconnected and the PCM commanding the fan on
Check for short to voltage on the control circuit with the relay and PCM disconnected
Swap the fan relay with an identical known-good relay to see if the code changes
Measure resistance of the relay coil and compare to specifications
If all circuits and the relay test good, suspect the PCM and perform further driver testing before replacement

Fan relay control circuit pitfalls

A high-voltage code on a ground-controlled circuit often means the PCM is not providing ground, which can be caused by a failed driver inside the PCM rather than a wiring fault.
Some vehicles use a solid-state fan control module instead of a simple relay, and the PCM may set this code when the module's feedback signal is out of range.
A fan relay that tests good on a bench may still fail under load, so always test the circuit under operating conditions.
Corrosion inside the relay socket can create enough resistance to set a high-voltage code without any visible damage to the relay itself.
The cooling fan may still operate normally in some failure modes, leading owners to ignore the code until overheating occurs in traffic.

Can I keep driving with P0696?

You can usually drive the vehicle short distances if the engine temperature remains normal, but avoid heavy traffic, prolonged idling, or towing until the fault is repaired. If the temperature gauge climbs above normal or the air conditioning stops working, pull over and shut off the engine to prevent damage.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.