Code
C1280
MITSUBISHI
C — Chassis
Motor fail safe relay
Views:
UK: 13
EN: 16
RU: 15
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Failed or stuck motor fail-safe relay
- Open or shorted relay coil or contacts
- Blown fuse supplying the relay or pump motor
- Damaged wiring or poor connector/ground to relay or motor
- High current draw or seizure of the pump motor
- Faulty ABS/traction control module or driver output
Symptoms
- ABS warning lamp and/or traction control/ESC lamp illuminated
- Loss of ABS pump operation (no pump noise when ABS activates)
- Reduced braking performance under ABS activation conditions
- Traction control or stability features disabled
- Possible unusual brake pedal feel during ABS events
- DTC C1280 stored in ABS/traction control module
What to check
- Retrieve freeze frame and full code list with a compatible scan tool; note any related ABS/traction codes
- Visual inspection of fuse(s), relay, pump motor, and related wiring for damage, corrosion, or water intrusion
- Verify battery voltage and good chassis/engine ground before testing
- Inspect and wiggle-test connectors for intermittent faults
- Check relay socket for heat damage or melted terminals
- Measure relay coil resistance and compare to service data (or known-good relay)
Signal parameters
- Relay supply: ~12 V present on power feed with ignition ON (exact voltage varies by vehicle)
- Relay coil: typically tens to a few hundred ohms (refer to service manual for exact resistance)
- Control signal: module provides ground or +12 V to energize relay coil depending on design
- Pump motor: battery voltage should appear at motor when relay closes
- Motor current: should be within manufacturer specified range when running; excessive current indicates motor fault or binding
Diagnostic algorithm
- Use a factory or capable scan tool to confirm C1280 and note any simultaneous codes. Clear codes and attempt to replicate.
- Confirm battery health (fully charged) and verify main fuses related to ABS/pump are intact.
- Visually inspect the motor fail-safe relay, its socket, harness, and the pump motor for corrosion, water, or damage.
- Swap the suspect relay with a known-good identical relay (if available) and retest system for code reappearance.
- With ignition ON, measure voltage at the relay power feed and relay control terminal while commanding the pump (use data or force-run function if available).
- Measure relay coil resistance and compare to spec. If coil open/shorted, replace relay.
- If relay energizes but pump does not run, measure voltage at pump motor and check continuity/grounds between relay and motor.
- If pump receives voltage but does not run or draws excessive current, bench-test pump (apply 12 V briefly) and measure current to determine motor condition.
- If wiring and pump are good but relay control is not being driven properly, inspect/trace wiring back to ABS module and test module driver output per service procedures.
- Repair or replace the faulty component(s) (relay, fuse, connector harness, pump motor, or ABS module) and clear codes. Road test to confirm repair and recheck for stored codes.
Likely causes
- Relay coil open or contacts welded due to motor overcurrent
- Loose or corroded connector at relay or pump motor
- Blown fuse upstream of the relay
- Pump motor drawing excessive current because of mechanical binding or internal failure
- Control module output transistor or driver circuit failure
Fault status
Status
Motor fail-safe relay circuit malfunction detected by ABS/traction control module; output to pump motor may be disabled to protect system.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 1-3 hours
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