Diesel machines often have a separate dashboard lamp that tells the operator a particulate filter regeneration is needed or running. P260E covers the circuit that switches this lamp. Deutz documents it for its EMR5/MD1 engine controllers: fault type 11 (J1939 SPN 3697, FMI 4) means the lamp output reads below normal or is shorted to ground, type 12 (FMI 3) means it is too high or shorted to the supply. Deutz engines go into tractors, construction and other off-road equipment, so the code is mostly met there. For on-road heavy-duty engines CARB section 1971.1 requires electrical checks of such output components. A failed lamp output does not affect the filter itself, but the operator may miss a request for a parked regeneration, letting soot load build up until power is reduced.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?If the light is on steadily, take a highway drive or go to a repair shop soon. If the car is in limp mode or the light is flashing, do not push the engine.
Symptoms
- Regeneration lamp dark or permanently lit
- Missed regeneration requests leading to high soot load
- Later power reduction by the engine controller
Most likely causes
- Lamp wire shorted to ground or to supply
- Lamp or bulb holder open, or lamp not fitted on this machine
- Corroded connector at dashboard or engine controller
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P260E means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- 6: Control modules and outputs
- 0E: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P260E?
If the light is on steadily, take a highway drive or go to a repair shop soon. If the car is in limp mode or the light is flashing, do not push the engine.
What causes code P260E?
The most common causes are: lamp wire shorted to ground or to supply; lamp or bulb holder open, or lamp not fitted on this machine; corroded connector at dashboard or engine controller.
Related codes
- P2002Diesel Particulate Filter Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
- P2458Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Duration
- P2459Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration Frequency
Sources
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.