P2CAF code meaning
Charge Air Cooler Coolant Pump B Control Circuit High
Powertrain system Generic code P2Cxx codes Check engine light
What P2CAF means
P2CAF says the control line of charge air cooler pump B is tied to supply voltage, so the engine computer cannot pull it down when it switches the pump on. As with the rest of the pump B series, no manufacturer documents the code publicly. For pump A, GM's LT5 table 19OBDG03A (P023C) carries out this check while the driver is on: below 0.5 Ω between output and controller power counts as a short to power, 50 of 63 samples, Type A with MIL in the first trip. Because the driver may shut itself down to avoid overheating, pump B then usually stops and the second half of the cooling loop loses flow. Typical causes are a wire pinched against a 12 V feed, moisture bridging two pins, or a shorted pump. A short to ground is P2CAE, an open line P2CAD.
P2CAF at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P2CAF
- MIL on after the first faulty trip
- Pump B does not start when commanded
- Reduced power at high load
Common causes of P2CAF
- Most likelyControl wire of pump B pinched against a 12 V feed
- PossibleMoisture bridging supply and control pins at the pump
- PossibleShorted electronics inside pump B
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Cac coolant pump bWiring harnessECM
What each part of P2CAF means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| C | Area: hybrid propulsion. |
| AF | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P2CAF and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P2CAF
What does P2CAF mean?
P2CAF means "Charge Air Cooler Coolant Pump B Control Circuit High". P2CAF says the control line of charge air cooler pump B is tied to supply voltage, so the engine computer cannot pull it down when it switches the pump on. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P2CAF?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P2CAF the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P2CAF fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P2CAF is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P2CAF to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P2CAF clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.