What it means
The control line for cooling fan 3 (typically condenser fan or auxiliary fan) is shorted to ground. Wiring faults of this kind typically come from chafing, water ingress at connector seals, or pin push-back — a wiggle test on the harness while the code is active often confirms the location.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
How it works
The controller monitors the control line for Fan 3, a third cooling fan that may serve as an auxiliary or condenser fan. P0695 sets when this circuit voltage is below its expected range, consistent with a control line shorted to ground or another low-side circuit fault.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Control line shorted to ground
- Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance
- Harness chafing through insulation
Symptoms
- Cooling fan may not operate as commanded
- Engine or A/C condenser may overheat
How to diagnose it
- Record freeze-frame data and check coolant temperature, A/C request, and any available Fan 3 command or status data to identify when the fault occurred.
- Locate Fan 3 from the vehicle wiring information, then inspect its connector and harness for corrosion, loose pins, or insulation rubbed through to ground.
- Command Fan 3 with scan-tool output controls if supported and compare its response with the other cooling fans.
- Check the Fan 3 control line for an unintended short to ground using the manufacturer's circuit test procedure.
- Test the Fan 3 relay or switching device and verify controller-side wiring according to the vehicle wiring diagram.
Common fixes
- Clean and secure corroded or loose Fan 3 connector terminals.
- Repair chafed Fan 3 control wiring shorted to ground.
- Restore damaged harness insulation and routing near the auxiliary fan.
- Replace the Fan 3 relay or switching device if it fails the specified test.
Can I keep driving?
Avoid driving if the engine overheats or the temperature gauge rises, and turn off the A/C if condenser cooling is affected. Stop safely if temperatures climb because loss of the auxiliary Fan 3 can reduce cooling capacity.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.