P0693 means Fan 2 Control Circuit Low. The computer has detected that the control circuit for cooling fan 2 is reading lower than expected, so the fan may not be running when commanded or may run when it should not. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0693 means
The coolant temperature reading feeds many systems: warm-up fueling, ignition timing, idle speed, cooling fan control, transmission shift timing and often the dash gauge. A wrong reading causes symptoms far beyond the cooling system, and a real overheat can damage an engine quickly. Confirm the actual temperature with a scan tool or an infrared thermometer before replacing parts.
P0693 symptoms
- Engine overheating in traffic
- Air conditioning weak at idle
- Fan running constantly on some vehicles
Common causes of P0693
- Failed fan relay or fan control module
- Wiring shorted or open
- Failed fan motor drawing abnormal current
- Blown fuse
How to diagnose P0693
- Check the fan fuse and relay
- Command the fan on with a scan tool and listen
- Check the control circuit for shorts or opens
- Check the fan motor’s current draw
Can you drive with P0693?
Watch the temperature gauge closely; avoid idling in traffic until fixed.
P0693 tips
Vehicles with two fans may use fan 2 for air conditioning or high-temperature cooling; check when it should run.
Will P0693 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0693 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0217 | Engine Coolant Over Temperature Condition |
| P0118 | Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit High |
| P0128 | Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature) |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Most cooling codes end with a thermostat, sensor, fan or leak repair. If the engine overheated badly enough to fail the head gasket or warp the heads, compare a repair against a replacement on our engines page and read engine replacement cost.
Shipping is a flat $80.00 per order to US addresses, with 15-day free returns. Questions? Ask a parts specialist.