Newbie here...HV Battery Cooling Fan Question

I have a 2014 C Four, replaced the HV Battery after the death code PA080 appeared during what appears to be a strange and unique problem(?)

Re-utilized the HV Battery Cooling Fan from my previous battery. First time out after new HV battery install, car drove about 5 miles, charging properly when viewing the power meter screen and the same death triangle / warning came up on the screen. This time however, because I did not reinstall the back seat, I observed what may be a cause for the repeated trip. I noticed, just as I felt the "thump" and sudden power change in the car, the cooling fan had kicked on simultaneously. I reset the code and drove about another 4 miles and again appears that when the fan engaged, the power loss and code was tripped.

After clearing the codes a second time the "trip" happened again almost immediately but now the fan was turning very slowly, eventually the fan sped up to what appears to be normal speed. Mechanic friend thinks that the fan has gone bad and any surge or drop in AMPS when that fan kicks on is signaling the computer to trip PA080 code.

If anyone has knowledge on this and can assist, greatly appreciate the help. Questions are:

1. Is it normal operation for the cooling fan to vary in its speed? EG: Fan speed starts off very slow, and speed increases slowly or suddenly as part of normal operation

2. What is the location, in the hybrid system where one can find the fan relay, if there is one?

Thanks All
StevieD