Fault Code P261AA00: Coolant Pump "B" Control Circuit/Open

[½cwt]

Had an engine warning light come on and I've been given the above fault code from SEAT dealer on my '09 Exeo 143 TDi Sport after they've run a diagnostic.

Any ideas anyone?

It's described as passive/sporadic and symptom is 4875 and didn't come on the first run after the dealer cleared it. Came on again on the next engine start. I dont even know what Cooland Pump B is? Car is running OK, fule consumption and performance both as before error light came on. Dealer says will need more investigation as they don't know what it is straight off and it'll be at my expense.

[Crasher]

I don't recognise that fault code. Do you have a CAGA or CJCA engine? Coolant pump B is an electric pump for the EGR cooler which is why the light has come on, the EGR cooler could get too hot which increases emissions at the very least.

[½cwt]

Its a CAGA.

Chris

[Crasher]

009754 (P261A) - Coolant Pump 2 - Open Circuit - Intermittent - MIL ON

This is the electric water pump in the cooling system which provides run on water flow.

The pump is part number 03L 965 561 and costs £120 approx plus you may need a mounting kit 5N0 198 093 which is around £11.

[½cwt]

A DIY job? If so, where can I find it in the engine bay? Worth tracing for a broken wire/electrical problem first?

[Crasher]

It is in the left of the engine bay and yes checking the wiring would be sensible.

This is the best diagram I have, 4 is the power plug.

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20/Crasher1964/CAGApumpBV400_zps747a61e2.jpg

[½cwt]

Thanks. Diagram is perfect!

Had a good look, getting signal/resistance on all 3 cables to power plug, so loom should be OK. Don't need the bracket as well as pump, the bracket is just fixed with a 10mm nut and has a loom clip on the bottom of it, pump is fixed to bracket by 2 screws from underneath.

Chris

[Stu Sheridan]

Thanks. Diagram is perfect!

Had a good look, getting signal/resistance on all 3 cables to power plug, so loom should be OK. Don't need the bracket as well as pump, the bracket is just fixed with a 10mm nut and has a loom clip on the bottom of it, pump is fixed to bracket by 2 screws from underneath.

Chris
Chris, were you able to repair this easily enough?

I have the same fault reported (amongst others! ) and trying to get a handle on what needs doing.

Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

[½cwt]

Hi,

Yes it was quite straight forward. You lose a bit of coolant but you can clamp the pipes so not too much that you can’t just top up with water. It was a surprisingly quick job. Pump was a bit dear at about £125 if I recall but it was about 2½ years ago now.

Chris

[Stu Sheridan]

Thanks Chris.

[RdN]

Hi Chris, I hope you are still here.
I know it was quite a long time ago when you wrote about this but I have exactly the same problem today. I get the same fault code in my Audi Q5 (engine CAHA).
I'm not a car mechanic but I would like to change this pump by myself and I wonder if you have any instruction how to do it?
Do I need to worry about the air that can get to the system?

Thank you in advance
Pawel

[½cwt]

It was fairly straight forward if you are a bit mechanically minded but as you say it was some time ago and I don't have the car any more to 100% confirm the following description. If I recall there are just 2 pipes to disconnect and a plug to remove and reconnect and a bolt or two that attach the pump in position. You will lose some coolant, I rigged up pipe clamps with two G clamps I had in the shed and in the Exeo/A4 ot is a bit of a reach down the right side of the engine as you look into the engine bay so the Q5 could be a bit more of a reach as it is higher off the ground. You can get premixed cooland from most car parts out lets and the system should self belld, just check the elvel after running the engine when its all reconnected and tehn agaon a day or two later. You dash will tell you if you have low coolant. The biggest pain is the price of the pump, I believe it was around £130 4 years ago.

Good Luck!

[RdN]

Thank you so much, I think I can manage it.

So everything I have to be worry about is a coolant level? I don't need to worry about the air that can get to the system?
I know for example if you change fuel filter you have to fill it up with fuel first and then connect to the system so there no air gets to the system.

Regards
Pawel

[½cwt]

Sorry there was a typo in my reply, it should self bleed! I certainly didn't; have a problem with air, the check after a couple of day's running will top up for any air that has beld out after compelteing the job that the initial top up when you do the work might have missed.

[3DBernie]

For anyone still looking, I got away without buying the $500 pump, opened it up and rinsed out some rust/debris that was jamming the impeller and causing the fault. Hope this helps someone

[Alexutzu21]

Hi. I have the same issue but on a A6 c7 , I replaced the old one and finding out that was stuck but after replacing, the error still popped up. What can cause the problem? Thank you

[½cwt]

I did this back in 2014 so my memory is not totally clear. IIRC I just fitted the replacement pump and I either used VAGCOM ( now VCDS) to clear or the fault cleared itself, not sure which. It never came back whilst I had the car. Not much help for your case I'm afraid. Crasher could be able to help if you PM him.