Powertrain, generic (extended)

P261A Coolant Pump B Control Circuit/Open

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

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.

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

Symptoms

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

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€50–700
Time0.5–2.5 h

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

Parts involved

coolant pump bpump relaywiring harness

Related codes

P261BP261CP261DP261EP2600

References: fordservicecontent.com, fordservicecontent.com, static.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov.