Powertrain, generic (extended)

P2601 Coolant Pump A Control Circuit Performance/Stuck Off

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

P2601 is set when electric coolant pump A is commanded on, yet its feedback or its effect shows that it is not really working, while the wiring itself tests sound. GM's 2008 table for the 3.6 L LLT judges its auxiliary pump indirectly: after a shutdown with coolant above 110 °C the pump runs on, and if the coolant does not cool down as the ambient-dependent calibration expects within about 80 s, the code is logged. Ford reprograms the PCM of 2021 F-150 trucks with the 3.5 L PowerBoost hybrid under bulletin 21-2053 for P2601 together with other codes. FCA lists P2601-00 for the electric coolant pump of the 2024 Dodge Hornet plug-in hybrid and cures it with control-module software. P2600, P2602 and P2603 report the electrical faults. Heating or post-shutdown cooling may suffer.

Likely causes

Electric pump seized, worn or running too slowly
Control module software misjudging the pump (update available)
Air pocket or low coolant so the pump runs dry

Symptoms

  • MIL on
  • Weak cabin heating
  • Coolant temperature stays high after shutdown

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€0–700
Time0.3–3 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

coolant pump apump motor

Related codes

P2600P2602P2603P261B

References: gsi.ext.gm.com, static.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov.