P261A on Audi
Coolant Pump "B" Control Circuit/Open
P261A on Audi vehicles indicates coolant pump "b" control circuit/open. Au7o has documented this code across 5 Audi models — most commonly on A4 allroad, A5, A5 Sportback. This code sets when the engine control module detects an open (broken) circuit in the control wiring for electric coolant pump "B," an auxiliary pump that circulates coolant for engine, turbo, hybrid, or A/C cooling. An open circuit means the computer cannot drive the pump at all, so coolant may not move when needed. If the pump cannot run, the affected component can overheat, making this an important code to address promptly. Typical repair costs on Audi range from $300 to $3,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P261A
- •Open or broken wire in the pump control circuit
- •Disconnected or corroded pump connector
- •Failed electric auxiliary coolant pump
- •Faulty pump relay or loss of power feed
- •Poor ground connection
- •ECM/PCM driver fault (less common)
P261A on Audi by Model
Audi A4 allroad(1 issue)
- Electric Water Pump Premature Failure2013-2024
The EA888 2.0T engine uses an electric water pump that is prone to premature failure, typically between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. The internal impeller can crack or the electric motor can fail, causing loss of coolant circulation and potential overheating. This is the same issue affecting A4, A5, and Q5 models with the EA888.
Audi A5(1 issue)
- Water Pump and Thermostat Failure2008-2023
Water pump failures are common across all A5 and S5 generations due to plastic impeller degradation and seal leaks. Audi uses plastic impellers that crack or disintegrate over time (typically 80,000-120,000 miles), causing coolant leaks and overheating. The water pump is timing belt/chain driven in many models, so replacement during timing service saves labor. Thermostat housings also crack from heat cycling, causing coolant leaks and erratic temperature readings. Symptoms include coolant puddles under the car, overheating in traffic, and temperature gauge fluctuations. Ignoring a failed water pump can cause severe engine overheating, warped cylinder heads, and blown head gaskets ($3,000-$5,000). The 3.0T S5 also has an electric auxiliary water pump for turbo cooling that fails separately.
Audi A5 Sportback(1 issue)
- Electric Water Pump Failure (2.0T)2018-2025
The auxiliary electric water pump for the turbo cooling circuit fails, causing potential turbo overheating after engine shutdown. The pump impeller seizes or the electronic controller faults.
Audi Q3(1 issue)
- Water Pump Failure and Coolant Leak2015-2023
The EA888 water pump in the Q3 uses a plastic impeller that can crack or separate from the shaft, causing coolant leaks and loss of cooling. The thermostat housing gasket is also prone to failure in the same mileage range. Both components are located on the front of the engine and failures typically occur between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.
Audi S5(1 issue)
- EA839 Water Pump Internal Leak and Vacuum System Contamination (2.9T)2018-2024
The B9/B9.5 Audi S5 (2018-2024) with the EA839 2.9T twin-turbo V6 suffers from a particularly insidious water pump failure. Unlike typical water pumps that leak externally, the EA839 water pump leaks INTERNALLY. The pump uses vacuum to operate a slide valve controlling impeller actuation. When the internal seals fail, coolant is drawn into the vacuum system and migrates into other components where coolant should never be present—including the brake booster, turbo wastegate actuators, and other vacuum-operated systems. This makes the failure especially dangerous as it can affect braking and boost control simultaneously. New German Performance and AudiWorld forums describe this as a 'when, not if' failure on EA839 engines. Failures typically occur between 40,000-70,000 miles.
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View P261A across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P261A mean on Audi?▼
P261A stands for "Coolant Pump "B" Control Circuit/Open." This code sets when the engine control module detects an open (broken) circuit in the control wiring for electric coolant pump "B," an auxiliary pump that circulates coolant for engine, turbo, hybrid, or A/C cooling. An open circuit means the computer cannot drive the pump at all, so coolant may not move when needed. If the pump cannot run, the affected component can overheat, making this an important code to address promptly. On Audi specifically, this code is documented across 5 models.
What causes P261A on Audi vehicles?▼
Common causes on Audi: Open or broken wire in the pump control circuit, Disconnected or corroded pump connector, Failed electric auxiliary coolant pump, Faulty pump relay or loss of power feed, Poor ground connection. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P261A on a Audi?▼
Repair costs on Audi range from $300 to $3,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Audi models have P261A documented?▼
Au7o has documented P261A on 5 Audi models: A4 allroad, A5, A5 Sportback, Q3, S5.