P008E — Fuel Cooler Pump Control Circuit High

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Address P008E promptly P008E does not by itself prove that the vehicle must be stranded, but an inoperative fuel cooler pump can allow fuel temperature to rise and may lead to derating or fuel-system damage. Arrange diagnosis promptly and stop safely if fuel-temperature warnings, severe power loss, or overheating occur.

Typical symptoms

The check-engine light may illuminate and store P008E
The fuel cooler pump may remain silent when it should be operating
Fuel temperature may rise faster than expected during sustained driving or heavy load
The engine may enter a fuel-temperature derate or reduced-power mode on models that monitor this condition
A fuel-temperature warning message or gauge reading may appear on some vehicles
P008E may be the only symptom if the control circuit opens intermittently

Common causes

An open or high-resistance wire in the fuel cooler pump control circuit
A poor or corroded connector pin at the fuel cooler pump, relay, or powertrain control module
A failed fuel cooler pump motor with an open internal winding
A missing pump ground or high resistance in the pump's ground path
A relay or power-feed fault that leaves the control circuit at battery voltage when the pump is commanded off
A powertrain control module driver failure, considered only after the wiring and pump have been tested

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Confirm P008E with an OBD2 scanner Connect an OBD2 scanner such as ELM327 or AIScanAuto, then read stored, pending, and permanent trouble codes. Review freeze-frame data for P008E and confirm whether the code is currently active. If the scanner supports the relevant PIDs, compare the fuel cooler pump command with fuel-temperature readings.
Inspect the pump and its wiring Locate the fuel cooler pump using the vehicle service information. Examine the pump connector and control wiring for unlatched plugs, corrosion, damaged insulation, chafing, or a disconnected ground. Do not open fuel-system fittings; follow the manufacturer pressure-relief procedure before working near pressurized components.
Check the commanded control voltage Using the wiring diagram, determine whether the powertrain control module commands the pump high-side or low-side. With the circuit checked against the diagnostic procedure, a control reading near battery voltage when P008E is present and the pump should be off suggests an open circuit, failed relay, or control-module driver issue.
Separate a pump fault from a circuit fault Check fuse and relay integrity, then perform continuity and resistance tests on the control and ground paths with the appropriate connector disconnected. Test the pump winding or use the specified electrical test procedure. A correct command with abnormal pump-side voltage points to wiring, connectors, the relay, or the pump rather than the powertrain control module.
Repair and verify the fault Repair the open wire, terminal, ground, relay, or failed fuel cooler pump as testing indicates. Clear P008E with the scanner, operate the vehicle long enough to cycle the pump, and confirm that the command, pump operation, and fuel temperature return to normal. A code that returns immediately requires further control-circuit diagnosis.

Approximate repair cost

Typical independent-shop estimates are $125–$300 for diagnosis, $300–$900 for fuel cooler pump replacement, and $75–$350 for connector, relay, or wiring repairs. A control-module repair or replacement may add $600–$1,500. These figures are estimates and vary by region, vehicle, labor time, and parts source.

Common questions

What does P008E mean?

P008E means the control module detected unexpectedly high voltage in the fuel cooler pump control circuit. It describes an electrical condition, not necessarily a physically over-speed or over-output pump.

Can the vehicle be driven with P008E?

Short-distance driving may be possible if fuel temperature remains normal, but continued operation with a nonrunning cooler pump can damage fuel-system components. Prompt diagnosis is recommended, and any severe derate or overheating warning warrants stopping safely.

What should be checked first for P008E?

Start with the pump connector, control wire, and ground connection, then verify the relay and commanded voltage with a wiring diagram. Inspect the pump before assuming the powertrain control module has failed.

Why would P008E return after the fuel cooler pump is replaced?

If P008E returns, the replacement pump may not match the required circuit behavior, or another open connection may remain. Check connector pin fit, ground integrity, relay operation, and control voltage before condemning the control module.

When your check engine light comes on and a scan tool pulls code P008E, it tells you the engine computer has detected a problem with the fuel cooler pump control circuit. Specifically, P008E stands for "Fuel Cooler Pump Control Circuit High," which falls under the powertrain category in the OBD2 system. The "high" designation means the voltage on that particular circuit is reading above the normal operating range — usually somewhere near full battery voltage instead of the lower signal voltage the module expects.

The fuel cooler pump plays a role in managing fuel temperature, particularly in systems designed to keep fuel cool under high-demand conditions. When this pump or its control circuit fails, the engine control unit detects the abnormal voltage and sets P008E to flag the problem. To confirm a genuine fault rather than a temporary glitch, the ECU typically monitors the condition across multiple drive cycles before storing the code permanently. It also captures a freeze frame — a snapshot of engine rpm, load, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed recorded the moment the fault occurred. Reviewing that snapshot early in your diagnostic process often points you directly at the root cause.

Symptoms of P008E

When P008E is active, several indicators may appear:

Check Engine Light illuminates on the dashboard
The vehicle may enter limp mode, limiting power and speed
Fuel consumption increases noticeably in some configurations
The fuel cooling system operates intermittently or stops working entirely
Overall engine performance feels diminished

Common Causes of P008E

The root cause of P008E typically falls into one of several categories, listed here from most to least frequent:

A signal wire shorted directly to battery positive voltage
An open or weak ground connection for the fuel cooler pump circuit
The fuel cooler pump control itself has failed and is pulling the signal line high
A blown fuse supplying power to the circuit
Broken, chafed, or pinched wiring within the circuit
Corroded, loose, or physically damaged connector terminals
A faulty sensor or actuator somewhere in the affected circuit

How to Diagnose P008E

Follow these steps to pin down the exact cause before replacing any parts:

Connect an OBD2 scanner, verify P008E is stored, and record the freeze frame data showing engine conditions when the fault first appeared.
Look for related diagnostic trouble codes that may point to the underlying issue. Check manufacturer TSBs for your specific make and model — some P0xxx codes have known fixes or require a software update. Search by VIN on the manufacturer website or NHTSA.gov.
Perform a thorough visual inspection of the wiring harness and connectors tied to the fuel cooler pump control. Look for damaged insulation, corrosion buildup, broken wires, or loose terminal engagement.
With the fuel cooler pump control unplugged, check signal voltage at the harness side of the connector. A high reading confirms a short to power in the wiring; if the voltage drops to normal with the component disconnected, the pump control unit itself is faulty.
Verify proper reference voltage, ground integrity, and signal continuity at the component connector using a multimeter.
While monitoring live data, gently wiggle the harness and connectors. Any dropouts or interruptions in the signal indicate an intermittent wire break.
Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle replicating the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P008E does not return.

Repair Options for P008E

Address the cheapest and most common failures before investing in expensive components:

Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250
Replace faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500
Control module repair: $300–$1,000

Total Cost to Fix P008E

Your actual out-of-pocket expense hinges on which part failed. Typical repair scenarios for P008E, including parts and labor at independent shop rates in USD:

Wiring harness repair or connector replacement: $80–$250
Fuel cooler pump control replacement: $150–$500
Control module diagnosis and repair: $300–$1,000

All told, fixing P008E typically runs between $80 and $1,000. Spending time on accurate diagnosis upfront prevents buying expensive parts you do not need — the priciest scenario is rarely where you should start.

Can You Drive with P008E?

P008E usually does not leave you stranded. Most vehicles remain drivable even with this code active, though you may notice reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary fuel cooling system. If no serious drivability symptoms accompany the code, scheduling service within a week is reasonable. That said, treat any stalling, failure to start, or warning lights for brakes and steering as urgent — those conditions demand immediate attention regardless of the underlying fault code.