P261c - Recent Aftermarket EWP Failure?

Hi All,

Current issue with my 2013 Prius C - overheating orange lights of death ETC ETC with code popping 261c - Coolant Pump "B" Control Circuit Low

Earlier this year I had a long trip at 80mph where when ambient temps got up to the mid 80s I started to experience brief moments of overheating. At 160k I thought my OEM water pump may have been giving up the ghost (no codes).

Replaced with an aftermarket "cheap" Amazon EWP. Past week here in Minnesota has been hot, P261c was popping intermittently (I cleared it with Torque Pro). Nothing out of the ordinary, driving fine, until last night when P261c hard popped (aka it wouldn't clear) and water temps spiked to red flashing light temps.

Limped the car back home on short hops, but not before I checked all fuses, swapped around some relays - no dice. Wiggling the connector below the air cleaner temporarily stopped P261c from popping but then movement stopped 'fixing' the code. Almost pulled a stupid too and started to take off the coolant cap, can confirm by the angry hissing that my coolant system was fully pressurized, the one speck of coolant that hit my arm burned like hell but managed to get the cap back on without attempting to darwin myself.

I'm about 90% certain I just need a new Toyota AISN water pump (will also be replacing my thermostat this time since why not). I know P261c isn't supposed to be a "bad water pump" and that P261b is the "bad water pump" code but all signs point towards the cheap aftermarket pump being hot steamy engine roasting garbage.

Anyone have additional thoughts for me to try?