Oil pressure is an indication of your vehicle’s health. If the oil pressure in your engine is in the normal range, it means that there’s a sufficient “cushion” of oil between the internal rotating components. Maintaining constant and proper oil pressure is vital if you want your car’s engine to last.
The P0522 error code warns the driver that the vehicle’s powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a potential incorrect or low voltage signal from the engine oil pressure sensor. What does this mean and how should you deal with this trouble code? This short guide will answer these questions and more.
What Does the P0522 Code Mean?
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0522 stands for Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch “A” Circuit Low.
The pressure-sensing mechanism in the oil pressure switch is in direct contact with the oil gallery. This means that any changes in gallery oil pressure will produce an increase or decrease in the resistance of the oil pressure transducer.
The PCM monitors these changes in resistance as an input representing oil pressure in real time. If the PCM detects that the signal coming from the engine oil pressure switch is less than the specified value for a certain amount of time, it sets the P0522 code. It will also illuminate the low oil warning light found on the instrument cluster.
In earlier applications, the oil pressure sending unit (with a gauge) received voltage from the instrument cluster gauge assembly, and the sending unit would reduce its resistance to ground as the oil pressure increased so that the gauge could electrically reflect oil pressure. On those, you could short the oil sender wire to ground and the oil pressure would read high.
Then computers became part of the instrument cluster and the oil pressure sending unit became a two or three-wire transducer.
In most modern systems, the ECM/PCM and the instrument cluster work together on a network and one of the modules will monitor engine oil pressure and send it to the other module for various different purposes.
Causes of the P0522 Code
- A faulty engine oil pressure sensor
- Faulty oil pressure switch
- Not replacing the engine oil regularly
- Faulty or clogged oil filters
- Not using the best suitable viscosity oil
- Damaged or open oil pressure sensor harness
- Damaged wires to the engine oil pressure sensor
- Bad instrument cluster
- Insufficient oil level
- Dirty oil
- Blocked oil passages
- Unnecessary mechanical wear in the engine and engine parts like the oil pressure relief valve and oil pump
- Excessive resistance in the circuit
Symptoms of the P0522 Code
- Illuminated check engine light
- Difficult to start the vehicle
- The engine oil pressure gauge reading is too low
- Engine stalling issues while driving
- Engine noises such as rumbling, knocking, thudding, or ticking
- Engine misfiring (rare)
Read More: How to change the Engine Oil
How to diagnose the P0522 Code?
- Scan the P0522 code by using an OBD-II scanner. Utilize the freeze data to find the main problem. Clear the code and test drive your car. If the code returns, then move forward for further inspection.
- Check the oil level. Your engine must have sufficient oil for optimum performance.
- Inspect the oil condition. Your oil must be free from dirt and other contamination.
- Check the oil pressure sensor electrical connections and wires.
- Inspect the oil filters for damage or blockage.
- Check the oil pan for a leak.
- Check that the correct oil is being used.
- Check the oil pressure sensor voltage by using an ohmmeter.
- Use an oil pressure gauge to check the engine oil pressure.
- Properly inspect the engine oil pressure sensor for fault.
Common P0522 Code Diagnostic Mistakes
- Replacing the unnecessary components.
- Not clearing the codes after fixing the issue.
- Not properly inspecting all the parts.
- Replacing the engine oil pressure sensor before inspecting the connections and wiring.
What repairs can fix the P0522 Code?
- Inspecting the oil level and adding more oil if needed
- Replacing the bad oil filters
- Replacing the dirty oil
- Using the perfect viscosity oil according to the manufacturer’s recommendation
- Fixing the oil pressure sensor’s damaged or corroded wiring
- Replacing the faulty engine oil pressure sensor
- Cleaning the blocked oil filter
P0522 Code Repair Cost
The repair or fixing cost of the P0522 code depends on the nature of the problem. To fix this trouble code, you need to repair one or more of the below-given parts:
| Parts | Cost |
| Oil filter replacement | $30 to $80 |
| Oil replacement cost | $15 to $70 |
| Oil pan replacement | $650 to $750 |
| Oil pressure sensor replacement | $120 to $150 |