Code 9088: SPN_n_: COOLING RADIFAN FAILURE
Issue Description & Safety Warning
The Fanuc 16i/18i/21i CNC has triggered a critical SPN_n_: COOLING RADIFAN FAILURE alarm. Immediate attention from a qualified operator or maintenance technician is required to prevent secondary damage to the equipment or spoiled parts during the manufacturing cycle. Always ensure standard safety and LOTO procedures are followed before accessing electrical cabinets.
Official Troubleshooting Steps
Replace the SPM external cooling fan. The external cooling fan stopped. Note that the meanings of the SPM indications differ depending on which LED, the red or yellow LED, is on. When the yellow LED is on, an error code is indicated with a 2–digit number. The error code is not displayed on the CNC screen. When the red LED is on, the SPM indicates the number of an alarm generated in the serial spindle. ! See, “Alarms (Serial Spindle).” α Check the *ESP and MRDY sequence. (For MRDY, pay attention to the parameter setting regarding the use of the MRDY signal (bit 0 of parameter No. 4001).) Although neither *ESP (emergency stop signal; there are two types of signals including the PMC signal and PSM contact signal(*2)) nor MRDY (machine ready signal) is input, SFR (forward rotation signal)/SRF (reverse rotation signal)/ORCM (orientation command) is input. Check the spindle motor speed detector parameter (bits 2, 1, and 0 of parameter No. 4011). When the spindle motor has a high–resolution magnetic pulse coder (Cs sensor) (bits 6 and 5 of parameter No. 4001 are set to 0 and 1, respectively), 128 /rev is to be set for the speed detector (bits 2, 1, and 0 of parameter No. 4011 are set to 0, 0, and 1, respectively). However, a value other than 128 /rev is set. In this case, the motor is not excited. Check the parameters for the detector for Cs contour control (bit 5 of parameter No. 4001 and bit 4 of parameter No. 4018). Although use of a high–resolution magnetic pulse coder (bit 5 of parameter No. 4001 = 1) or use of the Cs contour control function by the sensor (bit 4 of parameter No. 4018 = 1) is not set, a Cs control command is input. In this case, the motor is not excited. Check the position coder signal parameter (bit 2 of parameter No. 4001). Although use of the position coder signal (bit 2 of parameter No. 4001 = 1) is not set, a servo mode (rigid tapping, spindle positioning) or spindle synchronization command is input. In this case, the motor is not excited. Check the orientation software option. Although the orientation option is not set, an orientation command (ORCM) is input. Check the spindle output switching software option and power line status signal (RCH). Although the output switching option is not set, the low–speed winding is selected (RCH = 1). Check the sequence (CON, SFR, SRV). Although the Cs contour control mode is specified, SFR/SRV is not input. Check the sequence (SFR, SRV). Although the servo mode (rigid tapping, spindle positioning) is specified, SFR/SRV is not input. Check the sequence (SPSYC, SFR, SRV) Although spindle synchronization mode is specified, SFR/SRV is not input. During execution of the C–axis control command, do not specify another operation mode. Before entering another mode, cancel the Cs contour control command. Although Cs contour control mode is set, another operation mode (servo mode, spindle synchronization, or orientation) is specified. During execution of the servo mode command, do not specify another operation mode. Before entering another mode, cancel the servo mode. Although servo mode (rigid tapping, or spindle positioning) is set, another operation mode (Cs contour control, spindle synchronization, or orientation) is specified. During execution of the spindle synchronization command, do not specify another operation mode. Before entering another mode, cancel the spindle synchronization command. Although spindle synchronization is being performed, another operation mode (Cs contour control, servo mode, or orientation) is specified. During execution of the orientation command, do not specify another operation mode. Before entering another mode, cancel the orientation command. Although the orientation command is being executed, another operation mode (Cs contour control, servo mode, or synchronization) is specified. Input the SFT or SRV signal. The SFT and SRV signals are both input at the same time. Check bit 5 of parameter No. 4000 and PMC signal (CON). When bit 5 of parameter No. 4000 is set to 1 to indicate the presence of the differential speed mode function, Cs contour control is specified. Check bit 5 of parameter No. 4000 and PMC signal (DEFMD). When bit 5 of parameter No. 4000 is set to 0 to indicate the absence of the differential speed mode function, the differential speed mode command (DEFMD) is input. Check bits 2, 1, and 0 of parameter No. 4011. Setting of the speed detector parameter (bits 2, 1, and 0 of parameter No. 4011) is invalid. (The corresponding speed detector is not present.) Check bit 2 of parameter No. 4001 and PMC signal (ORCM). Although bits 2 of parameter No. 4001 is set to 0 not to use the position coder signal, a command for orientation by a position coder (ORCMA) is input. During execution of the orientation command, do not specify another operation mode. Before entering another mode, cancel the orientation command. Although orientation by a magnetic sensor is being performed, another operation mode is specified. Check bit 5 of parameter No. 4001, bit 5 of parameter No. 4014, and bit 4 of parameter No. 4018. When the use of the slave operation mode function is set (bit 5 of parameter No. 4014 = 1), the use of a high–resolution magnetic pulse coder (bit 5 of parameter No. 4001 = 1) or the use of the Cs contour control function by the sensor (bit 4 of parameter No. 4018 = 1) is specified. These items cannot be set at the same time. Input the slave operation mode command (SLV) in normal operation mode. Although position control (such as servo mode or orientation) is being performed, a slave operation mode command (SLV) is input. Input the position control command in normal operation mode Although slave operation mode is set (SLVS = 1), a position control command (such as servo mode or orientation) is input. Check bit 5 of parameter No. 4014 and PMC signal (SLV). Although bit 5 of parameter No. 4014 is set to 0 not to use the slave operation mode function, a slave operation mode command (SLV) is input. Check the PMC signal (INCMD). Perform orientation by specifying an absolute position first. Orientation is performed in incremental operation mode (INCMD = 1) first, then the absolute position command (INCMD = 0) is input. Check the spindle amplifier specifications and parameter setting (bit 4 of parameter No. 4018). Although the spindle amplifier SPM type 4 is not used, the use of the Cs contour control function by the sensor is set (bit 4 of parameter No. 4018 = 1). PSM contact signal Between ESP1 and ESP2 on the PSM Contact open: Emergency stop Contact closed: Normal operation (These alarms cannot be reset with reset key.)
Source: Fanuc Series 16i/18i/21i-B Operator's Manual, Appendix G Alarm List (B-63864EN/03)
Last reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Verified against the manufacturer’s official documentation.
About Fanuc 16i/18i/21i CNC Alarms
Fanuc controllers include extensive self-diagnostics that flag or halt the machine when a fault is detected. Error code 9088 on the 16i/18i/21i CNC identifies one specific fault condition — its documented cause and the official corrective steps are listed above, sourced from Fanuc's service documentation. Always confirm against the manual for your exact machine configuration and follow LOTO procedures before servicing.
Complete Alarm List: 360 Fanuc 16i/18i/21i CNC codes.
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