C0268 – 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

What Does C0268 Mean?

C0268 – Pump Motor Circuit Open/Shorted means the chassis control system has detected that the pump motor circuit has a circuit integrity fault, specifically an open circuit and/or a shorted circuit. In other words, the electrical path that powers and/or controls the pump motor is not behaving as expected.

This is an ISO/SAE controlled chassis DTC with a Fault Type: Circuit/Open. The code identifies an electrical problem in the circuit (wiring, connectors, power/ground, protection devices, or control path). It does not by itself confirm that the pump motor has failed; it indicates the module has detected an abnormal electrical condition consistent with an open or short in the pump motor circuit.

Quick Reference

• DTC: C0268
• Official Title: C0268 – Pump Motor Circuit Open/Shorted
• Official Meaning: Pump Motor Circuit Open/Shorted
• System: Chassis
• Standard classification: ISO/SAE Controlled
• Fault Type (enforced): Circuit/Open
• What it indicates: The pump motor electrical circuit has an open and/or short condition as detected by the chassis control module.
• What to check first: Circuit power supply, ground, connectors/terminals, fuses/relays (if used), and harness damage related to the pump motor circuit.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on how the vehicle’s chassis system uses the pump motor and how the fault is detected. One or more of the following may be present when C0268 sets:

• Warning indicators: Chassis-related warning lamps illuminated (for example, ABS/brake/traction/stability indicators depending on the vehicle’s configuration).
• Reduced system function: Limited or disabled chassis assistance features that rely on pump operation.
• System self-test concerns: Self-check routines may not complete as expected if pump motor operation cannot be verified.
• Pump operation abnormality: Pump motor does not run when commanded, runs intermittently, or runs unexpectedly (behavior varies by strategy and failure mode).
• Additional DTCs: Companion chassis DTCs related to power supply, relay control, motor control, or circuit feedback may also be stored.

Common Causes

• Open in the pump motor circuit: Broken wire, high resistance in the harness, or a disconnected connector causing loss of continuity.
• Short to ground: Insulation damage allowing the pump motor circuit to contact chassis ground.
• Short to power: Damaged wiring/connector faults causing unintended battery voltage on a circuit segment.
• Connector/terminal faults: Loose terminals, backed-out pins, corrosion, moisture intrusion, or heat-damaged terminals creating an open or intermittent connection.
• Protection/control device issues: Open fuse, faulty relay, or poor relay contact (where the design uses external fusing/relays for the pump motor feed).
• Poor ground or power feed integrity: Ground point corrosion, loose fasteners, damaged splices, or voltage drop in a shared supply/ground path.
• Pump motor electrical fault: Internal open/short within the motor assembly that presents as a circuit open/shorted condition to the controller.
• Control module output/driver issue: A fault in the module’s ability to drive or monitor the pump motor circuit (diagnosis should confirm all external circuit paths first).

Diagnosis Steps

Diagnosing C0268 focuses on verifying circuit integrity. Use a scan tool that can access chassis DTCs, a digital multimeter, and the correct wiring diagram for the vehicle. If supported, bi-directional controls can help command the pump motor for testing.

1. Confirm the code and capture data: Verify C0268 is present (current or history) and record any freeze-frame/event information and any companion chassis codes.
2. Check basic electrical conditions: Verify battery voltage and charging system stability. Low system voltage can complicate circuit testing and DTC setting logic.
3. Inspect the pump motor circuit visually: Follow the harness routing to the pump motor and related control elements. Look for chafing, pinched sections, melted insulation, and signs of water intrusion.
4. Inspect connectors and terminals: Unplug and inspect the pump motor connector and any inline connectors used in the circuit. Check for corrosion, bent pins, pushed-out terminals, and poor terminal tension.
5. Check fuses and relays correctly: If the pump motor circuit uses a fuse/relay, verify the fuse is intact and confirm power is present where required. If possible, verify under-load operation rather than relying only on visual inspection.
6. Verify power feed at the pump motor: With the circuit commanded on (or during an appropriate functional test), confirm the pump motor receives the expected supply voltage at the correct terminal(s) per the wiring diagram.
7. Verify ground integrity: Perform a voltage-drop test on the ground side while the circuit is commanded on (or while a suitable load is applied). Excessive voltage drop indicates high resistance in the ground path.
8. Check for an open circuit: With power safely off and connectors disconnected as required, perform continuity checks on the power and ground/control conductors between the module/relay/fuse and the pump motor connector. Use harness movement (wiggle testing) to identify intermittent opens.
9. Check for shorts: With the circuit isolated, measure resistance to ground and to power on the affected conductors to detect shorts. If abnormal, inspect common contact points where the harness can rub or be crushed.
10. Evaluate the pump motor only after circuit verification: If power/ground and wiring integrity are confirmed, test the pump motor electrically per service information to determine whether an internal open/short is present.
11. Consider module/driver concerns last: If the circuit, connectors, protection devices, and pump motor test correctly, follow manufacturer procedures to evaluate the controller’s output/monitoring for the pump motor circuit.
12. Clear and confirm: After repairs, clear DTCs and run the system self-test/functional test or a controlled road test. Recheck for C0268 and verify normal chassis system operation.

Possible Fixes

• Repair or replace damaged wiring in the pump motor circuit (open conductors, chafed insulation, pinched harness sections).
• Repair connector issues (secure loose pins, correct terminal fitment, address corrosion/moisture damage, replace heat-damaged terminals or connectors).
• Replace an open fuse or faulty relay (if used) and correct the underlying cause if a short condition led to failure.
• Restore proper power and ground integrity (clean/tighten ground points, repair damaged splices, correct excessive voltage drop).
• Replace the pump motor only after testing confirms an internal open/short consistent with the DTC.
• Address a control module output/driver fault only after confirming the external circuit and components meet specifications.

Can I Still Drive With C0268?

C0268 indicates an electrical fault in the chassis pump motor circuit, and the level of risk depends on how the chassis system uses that pump motor. If the pump motor supports chassis control functions that may be reduced or unavailable when this code is active, vehicle stability and braking-related assistance may be affected.

If warning indicators are present or chassis system performance is reduced, drive conservatively and prioritize diagnosis and repair. If vehicle behavior changes in a way that affects braking or stability control, do not continue driving until the fault is diagnosed.

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