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For 1990-2009 cars only

Engine Oil Pressure Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative 4.2L

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using the 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

Oil Pressure Switch Signal

1

P0520

1

--

Low Reference

--

P0520

--

--

1. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Malfunction

Circuit Description

With low oil pressure, the engine oil pressure (EOP) switch closes, and the signal circuit is low. With oil pressure above 4.5 psi, the EOP switch opens, and the signal circuit is high. The engine control module (ECM) monitors the oil pressure switch signal circuit, and sends a serial data message to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) indicating the switch status.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Instrument Cluster Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

    •  Instrument Cluster Description and Operation
    •  Indicator/Warning Message 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.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the engine oil pressure (EOP) switch.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1 ohm between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is OK.
  5. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Ignition ON, install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and the ground circuit terminal B. Verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Switch parameter is Low.
  7. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for an open/high resistance. If circuit test normal, replace the ECM.
  8. Ignition ON, with the scan tool perform the IPC gages sweep test and verify that the engine oil pressure gage moves from its low to high position when commanded.
  9. If the engine oil pressure gage does not perform the IPC gages sweep test, replace the IPC.
  10. 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
    •  Control Module References for the IPC or ECM replacement, setup, and programming

Engine Oil Pressure Gage Inaccurate or Inoperative 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L, 6.2L, or 7.0L

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using the 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

High Resistance

Open

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Engine Oil Pressure 5-Volt Reference

P0522

1

P0522

P0523

P0521

Engine Oil Pressure Sensor Signal

P0522

1

P0522

P0523

P0521

Low Reference

--

1

P0523

--

P0521

1. Engine Oil Pressure Indicator Malfunction

Circuit 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) supplies 5 volts to the EOP sensor via the 5-volt reference circuit and provides ground via the EOP low reference circuit. The ECM monitors the signal circuit of the EOP sensor to determine if the EOP 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 senses a high signal voltage. When the engine oil pressure is low, the EOP sensor voltage is low and the ECM senses a low signal voltage. The ECM sends the EOP information to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) via a serial data message. The ECM can also predict oil pressure as a function of engine speed and engine temperature.

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

  1. Engine running, observe the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Sensor parameter. The reading should be between 41-448 kPa (6-65 psi).
  2. Verify the engine oil pressure, refer to Oil Pressure Diagnosis and Testing.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the engine oil pressure (EOP) sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 1.0 ohm between the low reference circuit terminal 1 and ground.
  3. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  4. Ignition ON, test for 4.8-5.2 volts between the 5-volt reference circuit terminal 2 and ground.
  5. If less than the specified range, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
    If greater than the specified range, test the 5-volt reference circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  6. Verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Sensor parameter is less than 8 kPa (1.2 psi).
  7. If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal 3 for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  8. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 3 and the 5-volt reference circuit terminal 2. Verify the scan tool Engine Oil Pressure Sensor parameter is greater than 550 kPa (80 psi).
  9. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  10. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the EOP sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

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