P261CCoolant Pump B Control Circuit Low
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- How the car detects it
- P261C points to a control line of coolant pump B pulled toward ground. VW's 2014 Touareg data book sets it when the signal voltage drops below 2.8-3.2 V. Ford (gasoline summaries 2020-2023 and 2024) relies on a smart driver that watches pump B, which cools components in the hot loop, and sets P261C or P261D as soon as it reports an output fault, within a 5 s window above 11 V. Audi's bulletin 2043142 (2.0 TFSI CAE/CPM, model years 2012 to 2016) names the low-side code alongside P261A and P261B and replaces the after-run pump with an updated part and bracket. GM's hybrid tables put P261C both in the control fault bundle and in the no-flow bundle of the switchable water pump. Look for chafed wires near hot parts, then for a pump with an internal short.
- What you may notice
- Malfunction indicator lamp on
- Auxiliary pump does not run, no after-run cooling
- Rising temperatures at turbo or electronics in heavy use
- Likely causes
- LikelyChafed wire to ground near exhaust or engine parts
- PossibleInternal short in the pump electronics, often after water ingress
- RareCorroded connector bridging pins
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Medium · Often possible to do yourself.Typical cost: €50 – €700
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.