PO494 Fault Code

[MDSR21]

2024 Equinox threw code PO494 while idling, waiting outside office building. Outside air temp was 60°. Warning on dash popped up: "Overheating. Return engine to idle." I shut off engine, went to a mtg. Coolant fan was running as I entered the building. Came out an hour later. Engine started right up, analog gage rose to a tad over 1/4 on the gage. The Warning message was gone, but the amber engine check engine light stayed illuminated. Drove 80 miles home and engine never went over 3/8 on analog temp gage. No more warnings displayed on instrument cluster. Anyone run into this? SUV has 11,000 miles on it.

 

[Moonwink]

The best way to start here is to have the car scanned. Only then can anyone advise what to do. Anything else will be a guess.

 

[MDSR21]

The best way to start here is to have the car scanned. Only then can anyone advise what to do. Anything else will be a guess.

Code PO494 comes up when scanned. Which is low fan speed. Which is why I asked if anyone has run into this.

 

[KenLJr]

My wife had a front-end collision (July 2025) with our 2021 Equinox (51,000), one of the items they replaced was the coolant fan. I have gotten the same code. i am taking it for the repair shop in a day or so.
so, i will advise! I have seen the same problem before with the controlled vents on the lower radiator, in my case something had gotten into the vent and stopped it movement!

 

[Big Papi]

Never had this but it looks like you had low fan speed.

 

[PoManNox]

My wife had a front-end collision (July 2025) with our 2021 Equinox (51,000), one of the items they replaced was the coolant fan. I have gotten the same code. i am taking it for the repair shop in a day or so.
so, i will advise! I have seen the same problem before with the controlled vents on the lower radiator, in my case something had gotten into the vent and stopped it movement!

I wonder if they used an aftermarket cooling fan that isn't jiving with the system.

 

[KenLJr]

I checked that - the bom shows an Oem unit. Had taken it to Gerber repair shop, they looked at the code and said that they can’t help. Need to take it to the dealership.
Even though they installed a new fan and other items as part of the repair.
So much for their warranty!