P0522 means Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch Low Voltage. The oil pressure sensor signal voltage is lower than expected, which reads as very low or zero oil pressure. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0522 means
Most engine sensors receive a 5-volt reference and return a signal between roughly 0 and 5 volts. Codes ending in circuit high or circuit low usually point to an electrical fault: an open circuit, a short or an unplugged connector. Range/performance codes mean a signal is present but disagrees with what the computer expects from the other sensors, which more often points to a dirty sensor, an air leak or a mechanical problem.
P0522 symptoms
- Gauge reading zero or very low
- Oil pressure warning light
- Check engine light
Common causes of P0522
- Failed sensor
- Short to ground in the signal wire
- Damaged connector
How to diagnose P0522
- Confirm actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge
- Check the wiring for shorts to ground
- Check sensor reference voltage
Can you drive with P0522?
Only after a mechanical gauge confirms real oil pressure is normal.
P0522 tips
A low-voltage reading looks like zero oil pressure. If the mechanical gauge shows normal pressure, check the signal wire for a short to ground before replacing the sensor.
Will P0522 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0522 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0520 | Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch Circuit Malfunction |
| P0521 | Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch Range/Performance |
| P0523 | Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch High Voltage |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Sensor codes are usually fixed with a sensor, a connector, wiring or a leak repair rather than major parts. If testing turns up internal engine trouble instead, see how to tell if an engine is blown and compare engines by code on our engines page.
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