Powertrain, generic (extended)

P2610 ECM/PCM Internal Engine Off Timer Performance

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

Several emission monitors need to know how long the engine was off, for example to judge a cold start or an evaporative test after a soak. P2610 reports that the module's engine-off timer gives implausible values. Ford's 2020–2023 gasoline summary flags an engine-off time under 30 s after an inferred soak, an error above 15 s or a missing CAN timer message at start; its 2023 diesel compares 30 degrees of coolant cooling with at least 1200 s counted and checks an 8 s afterrun window (7.52–8.48 s). GM's 2013 tables test the initial value (below 0 or above 10 s) and tick spacing (0.8–1.2 s), Type B. Toyota and Lexus fixed false sets on 2014–2018 models by ECM reprogramming (T-SB-0146-16, T-SB-0336-17); Mazda keeps the timer in the cluster and logs P2610 with P2507 after short restarts in transport mode.

Likely causes

Engine module software prone to false timer faults (update available)
Battery disconnect, transport fuse removed or supply dropout during soak
Timer message from another module (e.g. cluster) missing on CAN
Internal timer fault in the control module

Symptoms

  • MIL on, usually without drivability change
  • Cold-start and EVAP monitors may not run

Repair estimate

DifficultyShop_onlyWorkshop job
Parts and labour€50–900
Time0.3–2 h

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

Parts involved

ecm

Related codes

P262BP2507P0603P0606

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