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OBD-II trouble code

C0267: Pump Motor Circuit Open

The ABS module detected an open (broken) circuit in the anti-lock brake pump motor. ABS, traction, and stability control are disabled, but your normal (base) brakes still work.

Quick facts

System
Chassis
Category
ABS / Hydraulic
Severity
High severity
Drivable
Usually safe to drive short-term
Repair cost range
$250$1,200
DIY difficulty
Advanced DIY

What does C0267 mean?

The anti-lock brake system uses an electric pump motor in the hydraulic control unit to build and move brake fluid pressure during ABS, traction, and stability events. The electronic brake control module (EBCM) drives this motor and watches its feedback voltage to confirm it is connected and responds when commanded. C0267 specifically means the module sees an open circuit — an electrical break — in the pump motor path: the motor windings, the high-current wiring, or the internal driver has lost continuity, so no current can flow.

With an open pump-motor circuit the module cannot run the pump at all, so it disables ABS, traction control, and stability control and lights the warnings. Your ordinary hydraulic brakes are not powered by this motor, so the vehicle still stops when you press the pedal, but the anti-lock and stability functions are offline until the fault is repaired.

Because the pump motor is usually integral to the EBCM/hydraulic control unit, an open inside the motor windings or the module's driver typically means replacing or rebuilding the unit. Before that, though, an open circuit can also be a broken or corroded high-current connection, a backed-out connector pin, a blown fusible link, or a bad ground — all cheaper fixes. C0267 (open) is the companion of C0268 (shorted); the two describe opposite electrical failures of the same pump-motor circuit, and either one, especially alongside C0265, points toward EBCM trouble. Confirm the module's power, ground, and connector integrity before condemning it.

Common causes

  • Open pump-motor windings inside the EBCM/hydraulic unit
  • Broken, corroded, or disconnected high-current pump wiring
  • Backed-out or corroded terminal at the EBCM connector
  • Blown fusible link or ABS pump fuse
  • Failed internal pump-motor driver circuit within the EBCM
  • Poor high-current ground connection

Symptoms

  • ABS warning light on
  • Traction control and stability control (ESC) warning lights on
  • ABS, traction, and stability features disabled
  • Normal (base) braking still works
  • No ABS pump self-test sound at key-on on some vehicles

Diagnostic steps

  1. 1.Scan the ABS module and record C0267 plus any companion codes (C0265 and C0268 often accompany it).
  2. 2.Check the ABS pump fuse and any fusible link in the high-current feed.
  3. 3.Inspect the EBCM connector and the pump-motor power and ground terminals for corrosion, damage, or a backed-out pin.
  4. 4.Perform a voltage-drop and continuity test on the pump-motor power feed and ground to locate the open.
  5. 5.Command a pump self-test with a capable scan tool and watch feedback voltage; no response with an open reading confirms the fault.
  6. 6.If the wiring, connector, fuse, and ground are all good and the motor circuit is still open, the EBCM/pump assembly is the likely fix and typically needs replacement or rebuild with programming.

Repair cost

$250$1,200

When the open is in the wiring, a connector terminal, or a fusible link, the repair can be modest. When the open is inside the pump motor or the EBCM's driver — the more common case — the fix is EBCM/hydraulic-unit replacement or rebuild plus programming, commonly $500-$1,200 at a shop. Mail-in module rebuild services can lower the parts cost to roughly $150-$300.

Estimate your repair

Run the numbers for your vehicle

Open the Repair Cost Estimator with abs module / ebcm replacement preselected. Adjust labor rate and vehicle category to fit your situation.

DIY vs shop

This is an advanced DIY job. It typically requires specialty tools, scan-tool access, lifting equipment, or careful sequencing to avoid causing new failures. Plan for extended downtime and have a backup vehicle. Most owners are better served by a shop that has done this repair before.

Related codes

Frequently asked questions

What does 'circuit open' mean in C0267?

An open circuit is an electrical break — somewhere the pump-motor path has lost continuity, so no current can flow to the motor. That can be inside the motor windings, in the high-current wiring or connector, in a blown fusible link, or in the module's internal driver. C0268 is the opposite fault, a short, in the same circuit.

Is it safe to drive with C0267?

Your everyday brakes still work because the pump motor only assists during anti-lock and stability events — it doesn't power normal braking. The car stops when you press the pedal, but ABS, traction, and stability control are disabled, so drive gently and get it repaired, especially before wet or winter conditions.

Do I always need a new ABS module for C0267?

Not always. First rule out the cheaper causes of an open circuit — a blown fuse or fusible link, a corroded or backed-out connector pin, or a broken ground. Only when the open is confirmed inside the pump motor or the EBCM's internal driver does the module need to be replaced or rebuilt.

AutoLogicTools provides general automotive planning information. Trouble code interpretations, repair cost ranges, and DIY guidance vary by vehicle, model year, location, parts quality, and shop labor rate. Always verify a diagnosis with a scan tool and a qualified automotive professional before approving repairs.