OBD-II DTC · SAE J2012
P261B
Coolant Pump B Control Circuit Performance/Stuck Off
What P261B means
P261B is a standard SAE J2012 powertrain diagnostic trouble code with the defined meaning: Coolant Pump B Control Circuit Performance/Stuck Off. This is the OEM-agnostic definition; specific manufacturer interpretation may add detail (subsystem, bank, sensor location) but the core meaning is consistent across all OBD-II compliant vehicles since 1996.
Common symptoms when P261B is active
Coolant temp sensor MIL, fan stays on / off, thermostat performance DTC, heater core slow to warm.
Can this code be suppressed via ECU tuning?
Whether this code is safe to suppress depends on the underlying cause. Diagnose first, suppress only after confirming the mechanical issue is benign or rectified.
How to remove P261B with Softechpro V5
Recommended service: DTC OFF (cooling branch). Step-by-step workflow:
- Check the thermostat / sensor / fan circuit physically first.
- If the issue is a long-standing nuisance code on an old vehicle, Softechpro V5 DTC OFF can suppress it.
- Load .bin, select cooling DTC group, save, flash.
Softechpro V5 supports 1,400+ ECU firmwares across Bosch (EDC15, EDC16, EDC17, MD1, MG1, ME7, MED17), Siemens / Continental (SID, SIMOS, EMS), Delphi (DCM, DDC), and Magneti Marelli platforms.