Guide To P261A OBD Error Code Solutions

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Do you notice a coolant leak at the front or centre of the car? Do you hear whining sound from under the hood? Is your car engine overheating? All these can be due to faulty engine coolant pump leading to OBD code P261A getting stored in the powertrain control module (PCM)

Your car engine needs to have a consistent flow of coolant supplied from the radiator through the engine to keep it running properly under extreme heat conditions. The water pump is the primary component responsible for maintaining this flow. When it works properly, the vehicle will maintain a consistent operating temperature, run smoothly, and take you anywhere you need to travel. When the water pump fails or is beginning to wear out, it may lead to complete engine failure. 

OBD code P261A means that the coolant pump “B” control circuit has malfunctioned.

What causes this problem with the Coolant Pump "B" Control Circuit/Open?

• Coolant pump malfunction
• Harness to the coolant pump is opened or shorted
• Poor electrical connections to the coolant pump
• Coolant pump relay faulty
• Powertrain Control Module failure

1. Engine Control Module - There can be some engine performance issues due to faulty engine control module. If the ECM fails or has any problems it can lead to performance issues with the vehicle like misfires, hesitation, loss of power, and sometimes even decreased fuel economy.
2. Powertrain Control Module - PCM stands for powertrain control module. It is a car part, a control unit which is utilized on motor vehicles. It is generally a combined control unit, consisting of the engine control unit (ECU) and the transmission control unit (TCU).
3. Electronic Control Unit - If your automobile's check engine light remains on constantly, and never goes off, there's a good chance that your vehicle has a damaged electronic control unit. There are a lot of reasons why a car's check engine light will remain on. The most common reason is a defective ECU.
4. Diagnostic Tools - It is always advisable to use the correct tools and equipment while resolving any OBD code issue as even small mistakes can lead to wrong diagnosis. Thus, always take help from a professional who has the knowledge and experience to such tools in an efficient manner. Buy new quality diagnostic tools from us today!
5. Engine Wiring Harness - The broken wires in the wiring harness might lead to some serious engine problems. So make sure that you replace your faulty engine wiring harness to avoid such a situation.
6. Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor - The engine coolant temperature sensor is also known as the coolant temperature switch. It is an engine management system sensor which is utilized to monitor the temperature of the engine’s coolant. If there are any faults in the ECT sensor, then it would lead to engine performance issues. Purchase high grade engine coolant temperature sensor from us online.
7. Water Pump - The water pump is a simple centrifugal pump driven by a belt connected to the crankshaft of the engine. The pump circulates fluid whenever the engine is running. It is important in keeping the engine cool and running.
8. Hybrid Drive Cooling Pump – The cooling is responsible for keeping the engine cool during operation and saving it from complete failure and overheating. Thus, replace the faulty pump now!
9. Water Pump Pulley – Always check if the water pump pulley is loose or the bearing is damaged and replace it immediately as the pump will not function properly if the pulley is loose due to any reason. Check and replace it now!
10. Electric Water Pump Relay – The water pump relay helps to control the operations of the pump motor as well as continuous supply of power. Thus, replace the faulty relay as without it the pump motor will not start. Buy new relay and its components from us.

For us our customers are everything, and that’s why we will help you to diagnose P261A code by mentioning some important symptoms below:

Common Symptoms

• Check engine light on
• Car engine overheating
• Steam coming from the radiator
• Coolant leaks from the pump

After you know the symptoms of your vehicle’s problem, it becomes easy to detect it and get started with solving it. So, next on our list is few common steps to correct this issue with your vehicle.

• Coolant pump replacement
• Water pump relay replacement
• Water pump pulley replacement
• Engine coolant temperature sensor replacement
• Refilling engine coolant to optimal levels

To do all this, you will need a few high-quality auto parts such as Pcm, Coolant Pump, Coolant Pump Relay, Water Pump, Electronic Pressure Regulator, Fuel Pump, Water Pump Relay and so on. From where will you get them? From your local store? Well, why go there when you can order quality parts with us while sitting in the comfort of your home. So, just browse through our website and order your needed parts today.

Here are some steps which you should follow in order to diagnose this fault code P261A:

• First, check for technical service bulletins (TSB) for your particular vehicle make and model. This particular issue may be an already a known issue with a known fix put out by the manufacturer and can save time and money during diagnosis.
• Next, locate the coolant pump ‘B’ which can be mounted in front of the engine, on top, inside the wheel wells or against the bulkhead.
• Next, carefully inspect all the wiring and connectors. Check for burnt, melted or broken wiring. Also check for damaged connector terminals. Replace all the damaged parts immediately.
• After doing this, using an OBD scan tool, clear the code from the system and see if the code returns or not. If it does, continue with the diagnosis.
• Now the pump needs to be tested along with the associated circuitry. Using a digital volt-ohm meter (DVOM) test for the resistance by connecting it to both the terminals. If the resistance is found to be infinite or zero, there may be an open or short in the pump. Thus, the pump might need replacement.
• If the resistance is OK, then check for the coolant pump power supply using a DVOM. The power supply should be of 12V. If this voltage is not present, a wiring problem in the relay or the PCM. Also check for the ground to the water pump. Repair the faulty circuitry immediately.
• PCM diagnosing is always a last resort but sometimes it can be done with relative ease. It usually involves doing a pinout test at the PCM itself and compare your recordings to desired values.

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing the P261A Code

Some of the common mistakes done while changing diagnosing the OBD code P261A are:

• Improper assessment of the coolant pump and circuit
• Simply replacing the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) without considering other possibilities of problem
• Not noticing the damaged or loosened wiring and circuit problems