GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Engine Oil Pressure 5-Volt Reference Circuit

P0522

P0522

--

P0521

Engine Oil Pressure Sensor Signal Circuit

P0522

P0523

P0523

P0521

Low Reference

--

P0523

--

P0521

Circuit/System Description

The engine oil pressure (EOP) sensor changes voltage based on the engine oil pressure. The EOP sensor is a 3-wire sensor comprising of the signal circuit, the low reference circuit and the 5-volt reference circuit. The engine control module (ECM) or the powertrain control module (PCM) supplies 5 volts to the EOP sensor via the 5-volt reference circuit and provides ground via the EOP low reference circuit. The ECM/PCM monitors the signal circuit of the EOP sensor to determine the engine oil pressure sensor voltage is within the normal operating range of approximately 1-4 volts. When the engine oil pressure is high, the EOP sensor voltage is high and the ECM/PCM senses a high signal voltage. When the engine oil pressure is low, the EOP sensor voltage is low and the ECM/PCM senses a low signal voltage. The ECM/PCM sends the EOP information to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) via serial data messages.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Instrument Cluster Schematics
    •  Engine Controls Schematics for the 4.6L engine
    •  Engine Controls Schematics for the 4.4L engine

Connector End View Reference

    •  Displays and Gages Connector End Views
    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views for the 4.6L engine
    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views for the 4.4L engine

Description and Operation

Instrument Cluster Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Scan Tool Data List

Circuit/System Testing

Ignition ON, with the scan tool, perform the IPC Gage Sweep Test in the IPC Output Controls. Verify that the EOP gage dials moves from minimum to the maximum value and back to the EOP gage minimum value.

If the EOP gage does not perform the IPC Gage Sweep Test, replace the IPC.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification

    •  Engine Oil Pressure Sensor and/or Switch Replacement for the 4.6L engine
    •  Engine Oil Pressure Sensor and/or Switch Replacement for the 4.4L engine
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup and programming