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.

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0520 : Engine Oil Pressure (EOP) Switch Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Oil Pressure Switch Signal

1

P0520

1

--

Low Reference

--

P0520

--

--

1. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) monitors the signal circuit of the engine oil pressure (EOP) sensor. When the oil pressure is high, the sensor is open, and the ECM senses a high signal voltage. When the oil pressure is low, the sensor is closed and the ECM senses a low signal voltage.

Conditions for Running the DTC

The ignition is ON, with the engine running.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The ECM detects that the EOP sensor signal circuit is pulled low.
    • The above condition is present for greater than 5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The ECM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic test fails. The ECM displays this information in the Failure Records on the scan tool.
    • The instrument panel cluster (IPC) illuminates the engine oil pressure indicator.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The DTC becomes history when the conditions for setting the DTC are no longer present.
    • The history DTC clears after 40 malfunction-free warm-up cycles.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Instrument Cluster Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

    •  Indicator/Warning Message 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

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, engine running, verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is OK.

If not the specified value, refer to:
    •  Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing for the 3.6L engine.
    •  Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing for the 2.4L engine.

Circuit/System Testing

LY7

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the engine oil pressure (EOP) switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified value, test the circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is OK.
  5. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Ignition ON, install a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is Low.
  7. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the engine oil pressure switch.

LE5 and LAT

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the engine oil pressure (EOP) switch.
  2. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is OK.
  3. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  4. Ignition ON, install a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is Low.
  5. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the engine oil pressure switch.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Engine Oil Pressure Sensor and/or Switch Replacement for the 2.4L engine
    •  Engine Oil Pressure Sensor and/or Switch Replacement for the 3.6L engine
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming

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.

DTC Descriptor

DTC P0520 : Engine Oil Pressure (EOP) Switch Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Oil Pressure Switch Signal

1

P0520

1

--

Low Reference

--

P0520

--

--

1. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The engine control module (ECM) monitors the signal circuit of the engine oil pressure (EOP) sensor. When the oil pressure is high, the sensor is open, and the ECM senses a high signal voltage. When the oil pressure is low, the sensor is closed and the ECM senses a low signal voltage.

Conditions for Running the DTC

The ignition is ON, with the engine running.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • The ECM detects that the EOP sensor signal circuit is pulled low.
    • The above condition is present for greater than 5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The ECM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic test fails. The ECM displays this information in the Failure Records on the scan tool.
    • The instrument panel cluster (IPC) illuminates the engine oil pressure indicator.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • The DTC becomes history when the conditions for setting the DTC are no longer present.
    • The history DTC clears after 40 malfunction-free warm-up cycles.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Instrument Cluster Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

    •  Indicator/Warning Message 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

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

Ignition ON, engine running, verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is OK.

If not the specified value, refer to:
    •  Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing for the 2.8L, 3.0L, 3.2L or 3.6L engine.
    •  Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing for the 2.2L or 2.4L engine.

Circuit/System Testing

LY7

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the engine oil pressure (EOP) switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm of resistance between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified value, test the circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is OK.
  5. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Ignition ON, install a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is Low.
  7. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the engine oil pressure switch.

LE5 and LAT

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the engine oil pressure (EOP) switch.
  2. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is OK.
  3. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  4. Ignition ON, install a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is Low.
  5. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the engine oil pressure switch.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Engine Oil Pressure Sensor and/or Switch Replacement for the 3.6L engine
    •  Control Module References for ECM replacement, setup, and programming