Powertrain, generic (extended)

P26C7 Exhaust Flow Control Valve A Control Circuit High

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

P26C7 is the high-side counterpart: the control line of exhaust valve A carries more voltage than the driver expects, usually because the line touches battery positive or the actuator is damaged. In Ford's 2024 OBD summary it appears as failure type 12 of the valve A check, monitored all the time with a five-second window; the earlier summaries misprint it as P25C7 in their threshold list. Deutz's MD1 list uses it for an exhaust flap whose voltage is too high or shorted. Ford bulletin 25-2146 (Mustang 2018–2023 and Shelby GT500 2020–2022) groups P26C7 with the other flap codes, a lit warning lamp and a mode warning, and directs the technician to inspect the tailpipe actuator and its harness. Unlike P26C6, a high signal can also stem from a wire touching a powered circuit.

Likely causes

Control wire shorted to battery voltage or another powered circuit
Defective flap actuator electronics
Missing ground at the actuator pulling the line high

Symptoms

  • Check engine lamp on
  • Exhaust mode warning in the instrument cluster
  • No change in exhaust sound between modes

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€50–1,200
Time0.5–3 h

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

Parts involved

exhaust flow valve aactuatorwiring harness

Related codes

P26C5P26C6P2BFAP26FE

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