error code P026A
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
See this thread on the issue. Points to the charge air cooler sensor or the coolant in the secondary system as possible causes.
Depending upon your year, maybe you still have warranty?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-show-up.html
Depending upon your year, maybe you still have warranty?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-show-up.html
New User
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Anything to worry about?
Bought a new 2021 F350 6.7 diesel. Dealer delivered it to my house, about 95 miles on the odometer. I jumped into the truck the next day and noticed the check engine light was on, steady orange. Tried to get into a local ford shop, everybody's booked for minimum a month. Went to a local auto parts store and scanned the code P026A. Told the dealer what code I pulled and they told me it most likely had something to do with the secondary cooling tank. I found the tank, it was bone dry. I was told that I couldn't fill it up with antifreeze because that would be self diagnosing the problem and may void any repairs that may be needed.....wtf. Truck was loaded on a tow rig and hauled back to the dealer for diagnosis. What I would like to know is should I be worried about anything that could've been damaged with this secondary cooling system being dry and if so how should I go about covering my butt that down the road this won't cause me problems. Thanks everyone!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 113
While it's best that they see the problem I can't see why adding coolant to the secondary system would have voided any warranty since that can be considered as owner maintenance. By not adding the coolant and sending it back you now have documented the issue with Ford. Any future problems can't be blamed on you.
As Senix said above I also doubt anything was damaged but if there was it should (and will) show up long before warranty is expired.
As Senix said above I also doubt anything was damaged but if there was it should (and will) show up long before warranty is expired.
New User
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Thanks for the insights everyone. Truck is on its way back to me and the dealer was willing to extend factory warranty out to 7 years for my piece of mind. They said the system is very sensitive to overheating, and no faults on the computer other than the no fluid in the secondary system. Fingers crossed, only time will tell....Thanks again
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,773
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From: Western NY
Thanks for the insights everyone. Truck is on its way back to me and the dealer was willing to extend factory warranty out to 7 years for my piece of mind. They said the system is very sensitive to overheating, and no faults on the computer other than the no fluid in the secondary system. Fingers crossed, only time will tell....Thanks again
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
Brings to mind what I have taught all my children (8 of them), weekly fluid checks are a must.
A visual under the hood for anything that looks out of place. That rule goes for all of us.
A visual under the hood for anything that looks out of place. That rule goes for all of us.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 962
Likes: 114
From: Middle TN
Makes you sick, doesn't it? They push these diesel trucks and then dealerships have 1 or 2 diesel techs. My not running powerstroke sat at the "number 1 volume Ford dealer in the United States" here in California for 6 weeks waiting for injectors...........,..
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,804
Likes: 113
A few months ago there weren't any injectors anywhere. It's not your dealer it was a supply problem. I haven't checked recently so I'm not sure if they are available now.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 962
Likes: 114
From: Middle TN
Maybe, but this was October 2020. They never conveyed that to me, just said there was a job ahead of me then 2 Ambulances came in that take priority.
New User
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
P026A
I have a 2018 F150 power stroke. I just installed a steel craft HD bumper the day before this code started showing. I took it to a smaller Ford dealership they did the diagnostics and couldn’t find anything that was wrong. We took the front license plate off of the lower section of the bumper to get more airflow hoping that would work but it through the code again. If it’s not getting enough airflow will that throw this code? I’ve called Steelcraft and they’ve said they’ve sold thousands of these bumpers and no one is ever called them with this type of incident before. I just had all of the fluids changed so I know my levels are for, but of course the dealership check those as well with all of the sensors. Any other suggestions? On the Internet it also says it could be a baking EGR valve as well. But of course, you would think that the dealership would catch that. I don’t know what to do but it is getting the worst fuel economy ever. It is sucking feel like it’s going out of style.
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Goulette55
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Jan 20, 2006 09:19 PM