P261A: Coolant Pump B Control Circuit/Open

P261A reports an open circuit in the drive of an auxiliary electric coolant pump labelled B. Ford's gasoline OBD summaries for 2020-2023 and 2024 define pump B as the high-temperature loop pump for component cooling and check it continuously over 5 s with at least 11 V on board. Ford's EcoSport 1.0 EcoBoost of 2018 (SSM 47359) set P261A because connector C1450 at that pump could not latch fully; a pigtail kit cures it. Audi bulletin 2043142 for 2012-2016 2.0 TFSI engines (CAE, CPM) links P261A to P261C to a failing after-run circulation pump and fits an updated pump. VW's 2014 Touareg book flags it at 4.8-5.3 V on the line. P261C/P261D are the shorts, P261B the performance fault.

Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Watch the temperature gauge. If it climbs or a warning appears, stop the car in a safe place and turn off the engine: overheating can cause serious damage.

Symptoms

Malfunction indicator lamp on, sometimes only sporadically
No after-run circulation, heat soak after hot shutdown
Component temperatures (turbo, electronics) rise

Most likely causes

Pump connector not fully seated or with spread terminals
Auxiliary pump with internal open (electronics or motor)
Broken supply or control wire, or failed relay where fitted

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

With the engine cold, check the coolant level; never do this when the system is hot
Check the continuity of the wire between the component and the control module.
Check the actual temperature in live data
Make sure the fan comes on when it should
Check the thermostat and connector
Measure the sensor and replace it if its readings do not make sense

Good to know

Repair difficulty: medium
It affects emissions.

What each character of P261A means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
2: Generic code: same on every make
6: Control modules and outputs
1A: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P261A?

Watch the temperature gauge. If it climbs or a warning appears, stop the car in a safe place and turn off the engine: overheating can cause serious damage.

What causes code P261A?

The most common causes are: pump connector not fully seated or with spread terminals; auxiliary pump with internal open (electronics or motor); broken supply or control wire, or failed relay where fitted.

Related codes

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.