P0693🔧 Engine cooling (electric radiator fan)Stop and fix promptly

P0693: Cooling Fan 2 Relay Control Circuit Low (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0693 means

Many cars have two electric fans that pull air through the radiator when the car isn't moving fast enough to cool it, such as in stop-and-go traffic, on hot days or with the A/C on. The powertrain computer (PCM) switches the fans on and off based on the engine coolant temperature sensor. OBD-Codes.com explains that the PCM turns a fan on by grounding its relay's control circuit: that circuit sits near battery voltage when the fan is off and near zero when the fan is commanded on. P0693 is set when the PCM sees low voltage on the circuit while cooling fan 2 is off. RepairPal defines the code a little more broadly as 'Fan 2 Control Circuit Low' and says the PCM sets it when it can't control the cooling fan as desired. It is a generic code for 1996 and newer vehicles, and repair steps vary by make and model. The sources differ on symptoms: OBD-Codes.com lists engine overheating and the check engine light, while RepairPal also says the fans may stay on all the time and the A/C may not work. They also differ on causes: OBD-Codes.com names a blown fan 2 fuse, the fan 2 relay and, rarely, the PCM, while RepairPal adds a failed fan control module, a failed fan motor and wiring problems. P0694 is the matching 'circuit high' code for fan 2, and P0691 and P0692 are the same codes for cooling fan 1.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get it fixed soon. OBD-Codes.com says overheating from cooling fans that don't run is very probable, so use caution driving and repair it as soon as possible. RepairPal rates P0693 Urgent, meaning immediate action is needed.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

  1. Blown cooling fan 2 fuse (OBD-Codes.com says this is the most common cause in the author's experience)
  2. Bad cooling fan 2 relay (OBD-Codes.com, RepairPal)
  3. Failed cooling fan motor (RepairPal; OBD-Codes.com says a fuse that blows once the engine warms up points to the fan motor)
  4. Failed engine cooling fan control module (RepairPal)
  5. Wiring problem, including a short between the fuse and the relay (RepairPal, OBD-Codes.com)
  6. Faulty engine computer (PCM), which OBD-Codes.com says is rare (OBD-Codes.com, RepairPal)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

  1. Start with the cooling fan fuse (your owner's manual or the fuse box lid shows which one). OBD-Codes.com says you can usually tell a blown fuse by looking at it. Replace it only with one of the same amperage.
  2. If the new fuse blows right away, OBD-Codes.com says there is a direct short somewhere between the fuse and the relay. If it blows once the engine reaches operating temperature, the fan motor itself is the most likely cause.
  3. With the engine and key off, carefully try to spin the fan blades by hand. OBD-Codes.com says they should spin freely; if they don't, the fan motor is seized and needs replacing.
  4. If the fuse is good, OBD-Codes.com says the fan relay is the most likely cause. Use caution around hot parts and fans that can start on their own, and watch the temperature gauge while this code is set.

Typical fixes

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

  • The engine is overheating or the temperature gauge is climbing
  • A new fuse blows right away, which points to a short
  • A new relay doesn't clear the code
  • Your car uses a cooling fan control module instead of simple relays

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Can I drive with P0693?

Only with care. OBD-Codes.com says overheating from cooling fans that don't run is very probable and it should be repaired as soon as possible, and RepairPal rates it Urgent. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and stop if it climbs.

What is the most common cause of P0693?

OBD-Codes.com's author says a blown cooling fan fuse is the most common cause in their experience. RepairPal also lists the fan relay, the fan motor, a fan control module, wiring and the PCM.

What's the difference between P0691 and P0693?

Both mean the fan relay control circuit voltage is low while the fan is off. Per OBD-Codes.com, P0691 is for cooling fan 1 and P0693 is for cooling fan 2.

How much does it cost to fix P0693?

Neither source gives a repair cost for P0693. A fuse or relay is a much smaller job than a fan assembly or engine computer, so find the cause before buying parts.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0693 Cooling Fan 2 Relay Control Circuit Low (Daniel Young, ASE Master Technician)
  2. RepairPal: P0693 Fan 2 Control Circuit Low (rated Urgent)

Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.