P266E describes a bank 2 position signal from actuator A that flickers: brief dropouts or spikes appear while the reading is otherwise fine. Heat cycling near the exhaust side, vibration on a loose pin or a harness rubbing on a bracket can produce it, and it often comes and goes. No manufacturer documents P266E publicly. CARB expects lift system inputs to be checked for continuity and rationality, which includes such short interruptions. A jumping signal makes the lift control on bank 2 unsteady or forces it to a default position, felt as hesitation or uneven running. Logging the sensor value while flexing the harness on that bank is the usual way to catch it.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
Bank 2 is the side without cylinder 1, so it only exists on V or boxer engines.
Symptoms
- MIL comes and goes
- Hesitation or uneven running
- Fault often not present at the workshop
Most likely causes
- Loose pin vibrating in the bank 2 sensor plug
- Connector contact degraded by heat cycling near the exhaust
- Harness rubbing on a bracket
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: hard
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P266E means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 2: Generic code: same on every make
- 6: Control modules and outputs
- 6E: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P266E?
If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
What causes code P266E?
The most common causes are: loose pin vibrating in the bank 2 sensor plug; connector contact degraded by heat cycling near the exhaust; harness rubbing on a bracket.
Related codes
- P266A"A" Rocker Arm Actuator Position Sensor Circuit (Bank 2)
- P266B"A" Rocker Arm Actuator Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 2)
- P264E"A" Rocker Arm Actuator Position Sensor Circuit Intermittent/Erratic (Bank 1)
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.