P0494

What it means

Cooling fan 1 is rotating slower than commanded. The ECU sees the tachometer feedback below the expected window for the requested duty cycle - usually a worn fan motor, a high-resistance harness or feed, or a partially seized impeller.

Is it safe to drive?

The vehicle is usually drivable for short distances, but the problem can worsen or affect emissions. Diagnose and repair as soon as practical.

Most likely causes

• Fan 1 motor worn or brushes degraded

  high

  One of the most commonly reported causes for this code — check this first.

• High contact resistance in feed

  medium

  A plausible cause — test and verify before replacing parts.

• Fan impeller seized or blocked

  low

  Less common, but worth ruling out after the more likely causes.

Related help

• Full P0494 diagnosis, causes & costs
• How to read check engine light codes
• Is it safe to drive with the light on?