Maintaining the engine’s optimal condition relies heavily on the cooling system of a car. Each element of this system must function seamlessly to ensure the engine’s temperature remains ideal, be it during highway cruising or traffic congestion.

In case of a malfunctioning component within the cooling system, prompt action is essential to avoid causing any further damage to the engine.

One of the indicators of a defective part within the cooling system is the P0493 check engine light code. In this article, we will discuss its meaning, potential causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and repair procedures.

What Does The P0493 Code Mean?

The P0493 fault code stands for “Fan Overspeed”, however, it doesn’t mean that the auxiliary fan is actually spinning faster than expected. The P0493 code indicates that there’s an issue with the auxiliary fan and that it’s operating outside normal parameters

Such issues are considered serious. A malfunctioning radiator fan can lead to engine overheating in heavy, or even moderate traffic. 

What Are The Most Common Symptoms Of P0493?

Because of the sensitive nature of the P0493 code, and how quickly it can lead to engine damage, it’s imperative to know what are the most common symptoms of this fault code. Depending on the make and model of your car, you might notice fewer or more symptoms associated with the P0493 code.

Illuminated Check Engine Light

The most common symptom which will be visible on all cars with an OBD II system is a flashing check engine light. Although the light doesn’t point to any specific fault itself, it’s a clear sign that there’s an issue with your car that should be inspected as soon as possible. By connecting your OBD II scanner to your car, you’ll easily be able to read the fault code that’s causing the check engine light.

Engine Running Hot

Another common symptom to look out for is that your engine might be running a little hot, especially during city driving. This can happen when the auxiliary fan is spinning slower than it should, and can’t cool down the coolant enough. In case the fan stops working completely, the engine will overheat, and it’s also one of the symptoms to look out for.

Increased Fuel Consumption

Aside from these, one more symptom that can point to the P0493 code is increased fuel consumption. Typically, the least fuel is used when the engine is running at optimal temperature. If the temperature is higher or lower than optimum, it will burn more fuel.

What Causes The P0493 Fault Code?

There are only a couple of things that can trigger the P0493 fault code. The causes are thankfully all related to the auxiliary fan which makes it easier to diagnose and fix.

The most common causes of the P0493 code include:

• Faulty wiring or connectors
• Faulty auxiliary fan motor
• Faulty auxiliary fan relay
• Faulty coolant temperature sensor
• Blown fuse

How To Diagnose and Fix The P0493 Code?

Because there’s only a limited number of things that can trigger the P0493 fault code, diagnosing and fixing the issue isn’t as difficult. Here are the things you can do to successfully diagnose and fix this issue.

Check the ECU With an OBD II Scanner

The first and foremost, connect your car to an OBD II scanner. This way, you’ll know what fault codes you’re dealing with, and if there’s more than one code causing the illuminated check engine light. This alone can give you enough information to diagnose and fix an issue.

Visually Inspect the Fan and Wiring

The next step in successfully diagnosing the P0493 fault code is visually inspecting the auxiliary fan, wiring harness, and connectors. Faulty wiring can often lead to triggered fault codes such as the P0493. This mostly happens in older cars, where the wiring becomes fragile due to frequent temperature changes. A small crack in wiring and corrosion on the connectors can easily lead to a big issue that can be fixed with a little electrical tape.

Commonly, these cracks are small and difficult to see, so make sure you take your time when inspecting the wiring and connectors. Also, make sure to do it during the day when you have enough light and use a flashlight if necessary.

If you notice corroded connectors or cracked wires leading to the auxiliary fan, that’s what’s likely causing the P0493 code. Repair the cracked wiring or connectors, and see if the fault code is still present in the ECU. In some cars, you may need to clear the fault codes with an OBD II scanner.

Check the Fuse Box

Checking the fuse box is essential when it comes to fault codes that are commonly caused by electrical faults. There have been many cases where severe issues were resolved just by replacing a blown fuse.

You can check the fuses by visually inspecting them, or by using a multimeter if you suspect more than one blown fuse.

Modern cars have 50 or more fuses, so before you start removing them one by one, it’s best to check the owner’s manual to find the auxiliary fan fuse faster. Also, make sure the fuse is of the right type and voltage because that can also cause issues.

Replacing a blown fuse is a straightforward process. You just need to remove the blown fuse from the fuse box and replace it with the same type.

Check The Fan

If the wiring and connectors look like they’re in good condition, and the fuses are good, the next thing to check is the fan itself. You’ll need a bit of electrical know-how for this step because it includes powering the fan by jumping the relay or sending 12V directly to the fan. Turning the AC on will also trigger the fan. If you can turn the fan on by jumping the relay, but it doesn’t turn on when you turn on the AC, the clear culprit for the P0493 fault code is the relay.

If the fan doesn’t turn on at all, it means that most likely the fan motor isn’t working and needs to be replaced by a new one. We offer a wide range of radiator cooling fans for all kinds of European vehicles. Check our catalog for more a quality replacement option!

How Serious Is The P0493 Code?

Although the P0493 code is triggered, it’s unlikely that it will result in serious engine damage right away. On the other hand, if you use your car as a daily driver, and you mostly drive in the city, it’s best to park your car until you resolve the issue.

Most commonly, the cause is a simple thing such as a bad connector, blown fuse, or relay, and fixing it isn’t expensive and doesn’t take long. When it comes to the engine cooling system, it’s best to keep it in the best condition possible because it prevents the engine from overheating.

Whatever caused the P0493 fault code on your car, you can find a replacement part at eEuroparts.com. We offer a wide range of car parts from reputable manufacturers. Finding the right part is made easy by our vehicle selector tool. Select the year, make, and model of your car, and we’ll show you pats that are a guaranteed fit for your vehicle.