C0267 – Pump Motor Circuit Open/Shorted

System: Chassis | Standard: ISO/SAE Controlled | Fault type: Circuit/Open

Official meaning: Pump Motor Circuit Open/Shorted

Definition source: SAE J2012 naming/structure guidance

C0267 means the vehicle has detected a problem in the pump motor electrical circuit, such as an open circuit or a short. For most drivers, this can show up as warning lights and reduced operation of the chassis system that relies on the pump, which may affect stability, braking assist behavior, or system availability depending on the vehicle. Technically, the chassis control module (or a related controller) is not seeing the expected electrical response when it commands the pump motor on, or it detects an abnormal circuit condition. The code points to a suspected circuit fault area, not a confirmed failed pump.

C0267 points to an open or short in the pump motor circuit within the chassis system. Check the pump motor wiring, connectors, and power/ground feeds first before condemning the pump or control module.

What Does C0267 Mean?

The meaning of C0267 is “Pump Motor Circuit Open/Shorted.” In plain English, the vehicle can’t reliably power or monitor the pump motor because the electrical circuit looks broken (open) or electrically incorrect (shorted). In technical terms, the responsible chassis controller detects a circuit/open-type fault when the commanded pump motor operation does not match expected electrical behavior, such as a missing response due to loss of continuity, excessive resistance, a short to power, a short to ground, or a related wiring/connector issue. The exact pump function varies by make/model, so confirm the pump motor circuit identification with a wiring diagram for your vehicle.

Theory of Operation

Many chassis systems use an electric pump motor to build or maintain hydraulic pressure (or provide system assist) when certain operating conditions are met. Under normal operation, the controller commands the pump motor on through a driver, relay, or integrated power stage, and expects the circuit to behave predictably: power and ground are present, current can flow through the motor windings, and the circuit remains continuous with stable connections.

When there is an open circuit (broken wire, unplugged connector, high resistance, poor terminal contact) the motor may not run and the controller may detect a loss of electrical response. When there is a shorted condition (wiring insulation damage, water intrusion, pin-to-pin contact, or an internal electrical fault), the circuit may pull voltage unexpectedly or trigger protective shutdown. C0267 sets when the controller’s circuit checks indicate an open/short condition rather than normal commanded operation.

Symptoms

You will usually notice one or more of these C0267 symptoms, depending on how the pump motor is used on your specific chassis system:

• Warning lights: ABS, traction control, stability control, or a general chassis/brake warning indicator illuminated
• System disabled: stability/traction functions may be reduced or temporarily unavailable because the pump can’t be commanded reliably
• Brake feel change: brake assist behavior or pedal feel may feel different on some platforms if the pump supports hydraulic modulation
• Unusual pump sound: pump may not run at all, may run intermittently, or may sound strained if the circuit is unstable
• Intermittent faults: warning lights may come and go with bumps, temperature changes, or moisture due to marginal connectors
• Stored chassis codes: additional related chassis DTCs may appear alongside C0267, pointing toward a shared power/ground or harness issue

Common Causes

• Cause: Open circuit in the pump motor power or control wiring (broken wire, damaged harness, poor splice)
• Cause: Short to ground or short to power in the pump motor circuit causing the module to see an invalid electrical state
• Cause: Corroded, loose, backed-out, or water-intruded connector/terminal at the pump motor, relay, fuse block, or control module
• Cause: Blown fuse or fusible link feeding the pump motor circuit (often a result of a short, but not always the root cause)
• Cause: Faulty pump motor relay, relay socket terminal tension issues, or an internal relay contact problem (if the system uses an external relay)
• Cause: Poor ground path for the pump motor or control side (high resistance at ground eyelet, chassis ground point, or shared ground splice)
• Cause: Pump motor internal electrical fault (open winding or internal short) leading to abnormal current draw or no response
• Cause: Control module driver circuit issue or internal fault (rare), after all power/ground/wiring checks pass

Diagnosis Steps

Use a scan tool capable of reading chassis DTCs and running output tests (where supported), a digital multimeter for voltage/ground/continuity checks, and the correct wiring diagram for your exact year/make/model. A test light or fused jumper can help verify load capability, and a battery charger helps prevent low-voltage side effects during testing.

1. Confirm C0267 is current: read all stored and pending codes, note module(s) reporting the fault, and record freeze-frame or failure records (battery voltage, vehicle speed, commanded pump state if available).
2. Check for other related chassis/brake/traction codes. Similar issues can occur with codes like C0265, C0268, and C0269; diagnose power/ground or network-related codes first if present.
3. Verify system voltage and basics: check battery condition and charging voltage, then inspect the relevant fuses/fusible links for the pump motor circuit. If a fuse is blown, do not replace it repeatedly without finding the cause.
4. Perform a focused visual inspection of the pump motor circuit wiring from the pump to the fuse/relay/module: look for rub-through, pinched sections, heat damage, previous repairs, and areas exposed to road splash.
5. Inspect connectors and terminals at the pump motor, relay/fuse block, and control module: check for corrosion, moisture, loose terminal fit, bent pins, and evidence of overheating. Repair terminal tension issues rather than “wiggling it and hoping.”
6. Use the scan tool to command the pump on (output control/actuator test) if supported. Listen/feel for operation and watch for code reset behavior. If the command is not available, proceed with circuit testing.
7. Check for correct power feed at the pump motor connector with the circuit commanded on (or during the condition when it normally runs). If power is missing, backtrack to the relay/fuse/module output to find where voltage is lost.
8. Check the pump motor ground under load: measure voltage drop from the pump ground pin to battery negative while commanded on. Excessive drop indicates high resistance in the ground path even if continuity looks “okay.”
9. Perform continuity and short checks with power disconnected: verify continuity end-to-end on the pump motor power and control circuits; then check for shorts to ground and shorts to power. Flex the harness gently during testing to catch intermittent opens.
10. If wiring and power/ground are verified, evaluate the pump motor as a load: confirm it is not open internally and is not causing abnormal current draw. If safe and specified by service information, bench testing or a fused jumper test can help confirm motor response.
11. Only after circuit integrity and pump motor load checks pass, consider the control module/driver as a possibility. Verify module powers/grounds and connector condition before suspecting an internal driver fault.

Professional tip: For C0267, a “good” continuity reading can still hide a problem. Always verify the pump motor circuit can carry current by testing voltage drop under load (commanded on) before replacing a pump motor, relay, or control module.

Possible Fixes

• Repair open/shorted wiring in the pump motor circuit (replace damaged section, correct routing, solder/heat-shrink or OEM-approved splice)
• Clean, dry, and secure connectors; replace corroded terminals or repair terminal pin fit issues at the pump, relay/fuse block, or module
• Replace a blown fuse or faulty relay after verifying the underlying cause (short, corrosion, water intrusion, harness damage)
• Restore power/ground integrity (clean and tighten ground points, repair ground splice packs, address high-resistance connections)
• Replace the pump motor only after confirming the circuit is good and the motor is electrically faulty or non-responsive under proper power/ground
• Reprogram, repair, or replace the control module only if all external circuit and load tests pass and the driver/output is proven not to function

Can I Still Drive With C0267?

In many cases you can still drive with a C0267 code, but you should treat it as a safety-related warning because it points to a pump motor circuit that the chassis control system detects as open or shorted. Depending on the vehicle, that pump motor may support functions like ABS/traction/stability assist or other hydraulic pressure management, so the car may revert to reduced assist or disable certain features. If ABS, traction control, or stability control warning lights are on, increase following distance, avoid hard braking and slick conditions, and schedule diagnosis soon. If braking feel changes, warning messages escalate, or multiple chassis codes appear, stop driving and have it towed.

How Serious Is This Code?

C0267 is typically more serious than a comfort or emissions code because it involves a chassis pump motor circuit that may be required for electronic brake assist features. When it’s mostly an inconvenience: the vehicle drives normally but has ABS/traction/stability lights on and those systems are disabled or limited. When it becomes a safety issue: you notice longer stopping distances on slippery roads, loss of anti-lock braking function, unexpected traction/stability intervention behavior, or any change in brake pedal feel. Ignoring C0267 can also lead to repeated pump cycling attempts, blown fuses, or further electrical damage if a short is present, so confirm the root cause rather than clearing the code repeatedly.

Repair Costs

Repair cost depends on whether the confirmed root cause is wiring, connector condition, a switch or module issue, or the labor needed to diagnose the fault correctly.

Last updated: March 25, 2026