P1473 Code: Meaning, Symptoms, Causes & Fix

Overview

Code P1473 indicates a fault in Fan Secondary High With Fan(s) Off, typically within powertrain controls.

Symptoms

rough operation in certain conditions
check engine light
increased fuel use

Common causes

Reference/ground fault affecting fan secondary high with fan(s) off
Signal biased high from short-to-voltage
Connector pin damage/corrosion or harness stress near related components

How to diagnose P1473

Confirm P1473 and capture freeze-frame data with a professional scan tool.
Inspect wiring, connectors, and grounds related to fan secondary high with fan(s) off for obvious defects.
Compare live data against expected upper threshold and verify reference voltage.
Check for related DTCs to identify the root-cause chain before replacing parts.
After repair, clear codes and confirm readiness monitors complete without recurrence.

Severity of code P1473

Moderate: This code is moderate severity: the vehicle may still operate, but fault progression can increase repair cost over time.

Can you drive with P1473?

Most vehicles can be driven short-term with P1473, but postpone heavy load/highway driving until repaired.

If the warning lamp is flashing or drivability/safety is affected, avoid driving and diagnose immediately.

How to fix it (step-by-step)

Repair obvious wiring/connector faults first to prevent repeat parts replacement.
Address the root fault mode (high) in the fan secondary high with fan(s) off circuit/system.
Apply the required relearn/adaptation procedure if specified by service information.
Road-test and verify P1473 remains cleared under the conditions that originally set the code.

Fix options

Perform relearn/adaptation if required.
Replace failed sensor if signal remains high.
Clear DTCs and verify with live data and completed drive cycle.

Typical repair cost

$200-$900

Common mistakes when diagnosing P1473

Replacing parts without verifying voltage, ground, and signal integrity first.
Ignoring related stored/pending codes that indicate upstream faults.
Skipping post-repair verification drive cycle and readiness checks.

P1473 in common vehicles

P1473 appears across makes such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo. Failure patterns differ by platform: wiring routes, software calibration, and component supplier revisions can change root cause.

Frequently asked questions

What causes P1473?

P1473 is commonly set by high faults affecting fan secondary high with fan(s) off.

How much does it cost to fix P1473?

For P1473, repair costs are typically $200-$900 depending on exact root cause, labor rates, and part quality.

Can I clear P1473 without repair?

You can clear P1473 temporarily, but the code usually returns until the underlying fault is corrected.