P2600: Coolant pump control circuit open

Coolant pump A control circuit/open (electric water pump)

Severity: Inspect soon

The computer cannot control an electric coolant pump, which can leave the engine or hybrid parts short of cooling. Kelley Blue Book says not to drive with the code active, although the Kia case may show no symptoms.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: Stop if the temperature gauge rises, a hot-engine or hybrid system warning shows, or the car loses power.

Source: how we rate severity

P2600 in short

P2600 means the computer sees an open circuit in the control of an electric coolant pump. On Hyundai and Kia hybrids a failing pump or water getting into its connection is the reported cause. Kelley Blue Book says not to drive with it active, so have it inspected promptly.

Many hybrids and some other engines use an electric water pump that the computer turns on and off. P2600 sets when the pump control circuit is open or the pump does not respond as commanded.

Kelley Blue Book lists the pump, its relay and its wiring as the usual causes. The code can appear without obvious symptoms, but without cooling the engine can overheat, especially in warm weather.

Hyundai and Kia both have bulletins naming P2600. The Hyundai bulletin diagnoses and repairs the engine electric water pump on 2019 Sonata Hybrids, and the Kia bulletin replaces the can case of the auxiliary electric pump on some 2019 Niro hybrids after water got into the pump electrical connection.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Failing electric water pump or water in its electrical connection
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Hyundai diagnoses the engine electric water pump for P2600 on the 2019 Sonata Hybrid, and Kia attributes P2600 and P0C73 on some 2019 Niro hybrids to water entering the pump case. Only NHTSA summaries were read.
What would change this
Rises if the pump does not run when commanded or the connector is wet or corroded. Falls if the pump runs normally.
Cause 2: Pump relay or wiring fault
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
KBB lists the water pump relay and wiring around the pump.
What would change this
Rises if the relay clicks without power at the pump or the harness is damaged. Falls if power and ground at the pump are good.
Cause 3: Engine or hybrid control computer fault
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
KBB says computer failure is possible but unusual.
What would change this
Rises only after the pump, relay and wiring pass testing.
How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

Step 1: Read all codes and note whether P0C73 or a hybrid warning is stored with P2600.
Low risk
- IfP0C73 is also stored on a 2019 Kia Niro
  It meansKia has a bulletin for a pump case water-sealing problem; ask a dealer.
  Points to: Failing electric water pump or water in its electrical connection
- IfP2600 is stored on its own
  It meansCheck the pump operation and wiring.
  Go to step 2
Step 2: Have a shop command the electric pump on with a scan tool and check that it runs, and check power, ground and the connector.
Best left to a shopTool: bidirectional scan tool, multimeter
Warning:Hybrids have high-voltage parts and hot coolant. Leave testing to a shop.
- IfThe pump does not run or its connector is wet or corroded
  It meansThe pump or its connection needs repair or replacement.
  Points to: Failing electric water pump or water in its electrical connection
- IfThe pump runs but there is no power or the relay fails
  It meansRepair the relay or wiring.
  Points to: Pump relay or wiring fault
- IfEverything checks out
  It meansThe control computer is a remote possibility.
  Points to: Engine or hybrid control computer fault

Symptoms

Check engine light or hybrid system warning on
Often no other symptom at first
Temperature gauge rising in warm weather Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

Step 1: With the engine fully cool, check the coolant level in the reservoir.
Warning:Never open the cap on a hot cooling system.
Step 2: Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a bulletin or warranty coverage for P2600.

On your vehicle

Kia

2019 · Niro
Supported by vehicle data
Kia TSB_ELE211 replaces the auxiliary electric water pump can case on some 2019 Niro hybrids with P2600 and/or P0C73 after poor sealing let water into the pump. Whether it is still current is not verified.

TSB_ELE211Status unverified
Auxiliary electric water pump partial replacement for P2600/P0C73
2019niro · NHTSA 10187725
Replaces the can case of the auxiliary electric water pump on Niro hybrids built between Nov 26 2018 and Jan 23 2019.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
TSB_ELE211_R1Status unverified
Auxiliary electric water pump partial replacement for P2600/P0C73 (revised)
2019niro · NHTSA 10188138
Revision of TSB_ELE211 covering the 2019 Niro Plug-in Hybrid.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Hyundai

2019 · Sonata
Supported by vehicle data
Hyundai 21-EM-007H covers diagnosis and repair of the engine electric water pump on the 2019 Sonata Hybrid with P2600. The steps were not read.

21-EM-007HStatus unverified
Engine electric water pump diagnosis and repair, P2600
2019sonata · NHTSA 10199106
Diagnosis and repair of the engine electric water pump on Sonata Hybrid and plug-in hybrid; the NHTSA summary does not give the steps.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Audi

2023 · A6
Supported by vehicle data
Audi bulletin A9723952070557_1 lists P260000 (the P2600 circuit code) among codes that light the check engine lamp. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

A9723952070557_1Status unverified
Check engine lamp with P157600, P157200, P218100, P260200 or P260000
2023a6 · NHTSA 10238195
Names the hex-format P260000 coolant pump code among several. The summary does not give the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

No curated relationships for P2600 yet.

All Engine cooling (thermostat) codes

P2600 questions

Can I drive with P2600?

Kelley Blue Book says not to drive with it active, because the engine may not cool properly. If you must move the car, watch the temperature and stop if it rises.

Is P2600 only a hybrid code?

It is most common on hybrids because they use electric coolant pumps, but it applies to any engine with a computer-controlled electric pump.

Sources and review

P2601 code: coolant pump A control circuit range/performance (also covers P2600) — Kelley Blue Book
21-EM-007H: Engine electric water pump diagnosis and repair, P2600 — Hyundai
TSB_ELE211: Auxiliary electric water pump partial replacement for P2600/P0C73 — Kia
A9723952070557_1: Check engine lamp with P157600, P157200, P218100, P260200 or P260000 — Audi

Last reviewed: October 15, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Failing electric water pump or water in its electrical connection

Cause 2: Pump relay or wiring fault

Cause 3: Engine or hybrid control computer fault

What to test first

Step 1: Read all codes and note whether P0C73 or a hybrid warning is stored with P2600.

Step 2: Have a shop command the electric pump on with a scan tool and check that it runs, and check power, ground and the connector.

Symptoms

How to fix

On your vehicle

KiaYour car

HyundaiYour car

AudiYour car

Related codes

P2600 questions

Sources and review

Kia

Hyundai

Audi