GM Truck: Oil Pressure Gauge Sensor Low P0522

After repairing the instrument cluster on this 2004 Chevy Silverado, the last thing left to do is figure out why the oil pressure gauge is stuck at 0 psi.
If you think it's a bad oil pressure sensor sending unit, this video is for you!
Test, don't guess!
Ivan

[@paulcarroll750]

Ivan, you truly do fix things when they are broken. No mechanics around here would repair an instrument cluster or a connector, they would just replace them.

[@mikepf53]

Eric O is proud of your reach around. However, He would have told you to put a catch cloth at the back of the engine to catch the retainer, pin, etc. If you dropped one. The suspense was killing me! Just like the movies.

[@baxrok2.]

Two sweet fixes on this Chivvy' Ivan. Both were ambitious for a professional in that they were time consuming. However, you have more of the DIYer mindset than most. Always a pleasure to watch and much appreciated. Thanks Ivan!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

My pleasure, John! Thanks for the positive comments as always!

[@spelunkerd]

Gotta love the way you showed detail of how that connector works. Every one I encounter seems to be a little different. Every time, I scratch my head wondering if I'm going to break a plastic tab before understanding how it works.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

It took me like 15 minutes to figure that sucker out! Once the plastic retainer came off, I didn't want to reinstall it until the repair was complete :)

[@Bunkysworkshop]

All I can say is between you and Eric O I wish I lived a little closer to you guys. I think when the brake controller was installed they didn't do it right. I know one of you would know in five minutes. Maybe I should take a trip and enjoy the day. Thanks for another great video.

[@micaiahking9436]

Ivan , man...never ever have I had someone take the time to show it all and actually fix the issue rahth we then a bandaid. You sir get the award of the year.

[@johnmarks7243]

Nice job! now the customer can see his oil pressure sucks at hot idle. Time for a oil pump pickup o-ring

[@pskauto6798]

Got to love a no parts fix ! Nice one Ivan .

[@wyattoneable]

The customer is going to be very happy to have all his gauges back in order. Nice fix on that one Ivan. "Hi Amanda".

[@amandatemnykh6815]

Aww, hi Wyatt!

[@wyattoneable]

:)

[@themechanic6117]

Great work Ivan. You made Keith proud by tugging on that wire.

[@DaveSender66]

Nice work Ivan. A Topside Creeper is a real big help while working on this engine! Nice to learn from Keith and you the valuable tug test !!!!!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks, Dave. Keith should trademark his signature "tug test" :)

[@robinsonsauto]

Another great fix!!! No wasted time or parts! Well done Ivan. another happy customer

[@shiminowind]

Didnt think about the cheap Chinese deutsch connectors. Every terminal and every port is slightly different same as the seals so getting a good fit Every time or half the time is temperamental. This find gave me a new direction to search for this ghost ive been chasing off and on. Thanks for documenting your diagnostic approach

[@gezdipz5425]

Now that's a proper old school mechanic not a parts exchanger,keep up the great content 👌

[@billbyrd9845]

Few people would have fixed that socket. Bravo. Newer videos are much improved with better lighting, better cameras. You're the best!

[@BlueHaze7024]

You are a great troubleshooter; something not everyone can do. The lesson from this video is to test the suspect wire as close to the connector as possible if no wiring harness damage is observed.

[@im2crafty]

Entertaining & educational , you're the PBS of KZbin

[@martinfernandonhs93]

Gotta love it when wires decide to break at different points. The Buick 3.8 in my Olds eighty eight has a very tight harness near the cam and crank sensors. A break in the cam sensor wire, threw my timing off. Luckily I caught it and extended the wire before doing anything else.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

*Parts cannon disaster avoided* :)

[@bgtoups]

Thanks for letting us look over your shoulder while you do great work. The master always makes the complex seem so simple!

[@keng5075]

Very well presented you would do well teaching an apprentice. By far most inclusive tutorial by an auto tech. That I have seen

[@chrismadaj8751]

Nice video of a PO522 YOU DID A VERY GOOD JOB IN DETAIL KEEP IT UP AND GOD BLESS

[@BigDog50001]

Nicely done Ivan!

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Up doing research. Good diagnosis & repair. That's pretty common for them to break at the connector terminal. Customer will be happy with an operation & illuminated IPC. Great job Ivan!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks, Bob! That harness was a bit tight, so not too surprising that the wire fatigued right at the terminal...

[@pontiacsrule8761]

What a great video. I know how hard that was laying in the engine bay, trying to solder, keeping a lit up area & filming. I also enjoyed seeing a terminal removed. You really didn't have much room to work back there. Great job & educational as usual my friend.

[@jannepo]

Ivan, great thinking! The 50/50 algorithm for finding the problem is the best, naturally after eliminating the most probable spots (heat, vibration, bending, water/salt intrusion). Halve the wire, find the faulty half, take the next measurement at the mid point of that and then again split that to half. With those probes, works great. Within minutes you have only a few feet of wire to comb through to find the break.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

It really helped that the wiring loom was accessible it this case! Some manufatcurers wrap up their harnesses so tight and route them in hard-to reach places :)

[@jannepo]

Sad but true. Manufacturers still believe that wires do not ever break, there are no rodents nor salt and so on. It would not take much to design the looms to run on visible places, route those mostly inside, not under the car, put looms behind a access panel, not inside the body of the car, etc. But.. Usually wiring lasts longer than the designed end of life of the car, therefore it is unlikely that this will change for the better any time soon. I would expect the opposite. Even flimsier wiring and more Chinese $5 (at the factory) modules as the amount of years before planned obsolescence are going down towards 8 years.

[@davidraezer5937]

Great diag Ivan. Had a Dodge van with the 5.2 surge and stall on cold start until closed loop. Totally spanked me on the diag. but found O2 sensor heater bleeding voltage to the signal wire causing a negative bias befor sensor came online.

[@stephenlawrence4362]

Another great video. Your patience is unbelievable. Great job

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

So glad to see this pop up I had nothing to watch lol. I always anticipate new videos and by the way good testing. Great Job as always Ivan.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks for the positivity, Mike! Did you email me about the t-shirts yet?

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics Yes I just got your email. Thanks

[@dezblyan5125]

Awesome diagnosis and repair your the man Ivan

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Excellent diagnosis and repair series. That 12 PSI oil- maybe do a rod bearings change next.

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Gotta love fixed with no parts. All profit! :) Didn't realize trucks going back to '04 had data lines. Learn something new every day!

[@88montessjj]

Good job man. Dealing with that exact problem. Getting 5voltz at my gray wire. Don't think it's getting to the gauge though. I will be doing more testing.

[@AP9311]

Awesome job Ivan!! Yep, for sure, Eric O is very proud of ya!!!

[@AP9311]

I had a problem with cruise control module. Thought I had a bad one. Followed your way to check for wiring etc. Found that the plug was bad. The 2 of the pin was bent as hell. Went to junk yard to get 2 pins, replaced it, did that solder job like you did. Love and behold, my CC works!!! :) no parts cannon required, hahaha

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Awesome fix, Josh! Now you have to wonder how did those pins get bent in the first place?

[@AP9311]

I think I know why, I replaced my brake booster as it was rusted and leaking. I disconnected the wiring and removed the cc wiring to gain more access, I didn't realize my cc didn't work few months after that job. I might have been rough putting the plug back together. I admit it. Lol

[@opl500]

Legendary GM build quality

[@cranstjs]

Great job! I just got the same error on my 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 liter in spite of oil level ok. Interesting to see how all that works and where to look. But I'm not a mechanic and I don't have any test tools like yours but I can point the way to my local mechanic.

[@rollingrockfan2482]

Well done a no part fix great

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

My favorite type of repair! Environmentally friendly as well...no wasted resources.

[@ozzstars_cars]

Replacing the steppers since you already had them was a good move, it would only be a matter of time until you got that 'gauges not working' phone call. The boss was checking up on you at the 23 min mark ;-).

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

haha yup she sure was ;)

[@haroldb8642]

Nice job Ivan.

[@baddriversofnorthtexas6850]

The Chevy oil sending units require an expert at the classic move for sure.

[@OneAuto]

Very thorough diag and repair Ivan. And Vid Bombed by the Mrs.. 😂

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

lol she didn't even know I was inside the truck xD

[@louisnemick317]

Cool fix Ivan.

[@tomdewey9907]

Not a bad repair there Ivan. Maybe it's time to buy some Weather-Pack new terminals for future repairs along with some liquid Kester rosin core flux and a more heat friendly soldering iron/station VS that butane barn burner...

[@Jpilgrim30]

I hate butane soldering irons. I'll use mine in a pinch but they suck for doing multiple wires because of the lack of stable temp control. I started bringing along my little hakko soldering station and a small inverter. Much better consistency as far as temps go and you can leave it hot for bigger wiring repairs without wasting fuel. Also great for cluster rebuilds.

[@theadventuresofjavier8698]

Was getting ready for bed. But I think losing 27 minutes of beauty sleep won't hurt me. Thanks Ivan...btw more Russian car vids

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

haha yeah, enough of these Chevy trucks!

[@rickjones6798]

Well I don't have one of your scan tools but awesome video I think I'm going to have to invest in

[@Automotive_Solutions]

Nicely done sir.

[@SuperM1687]

Great job as always!!!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks, Jason! How's that Genie treating ya?

[@SuperM1687]

Honestly I moved it a few times. 1st time was perfect, second time I had the Ole fuel problem. I believe I need to change that shut off valve near the fuel tank. There is non-ethanol fuel in there now so I can't use that for an excuse. I finished the Silverado powertrain rebuild. I have one more major project to finish and then I can focus on the Genie. I'll keep you updated.

[@johnaclark1]

You can buy those weather pack terminals from places like Mouser.com. There are a couple different sizes GM uses and most are available there. I keep some around and they come in very handy. They often stock the various connectors too. If you can get a part number (they are in my factory service manual for my 02 Sierra) then it makes it really easy to search on Mouser.

[@billneu9520]

Thanks for another great video.

[@samrugtiv5563]

good show soup time. thanks Ivan. sam

[@josephwash109]

If you find yourself doing a lot of connector and terminal repairs, the parts are available relatively inexpensively from sites like theelectricaldepot.com and crimpsupply.com. I have purchased quite a few items from them because I find it easier to replace the terminals than deal with the frustration of trying to reuse the old parts. GM's Metripack components are readily available, unlike a lot of other vehicle manufacturers.

[@antoniomendiola5256]

You find the problem Iván very well.

[@tinkerwest]

, Most likely a "caveman" pulled on the wire while disconnecting it either during previous oil pressure switch replacement or for an area related repair where harness was disconnected...

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

hmmm I don't think anyone has been there before...just 170k miles of vibration is to blame I think!

[@L1dechuy09]

I’m a proud subscriber 👍

[@sjn7220]

Would that be the classic reach around or modern reach around?

[@ahmedabdelbaky3637]

good job

[@virtualviewer61]

Really enjoy your videos on troubleshooting, great job!!!

[@majetoJESUS]

Good thing you front probed that connector of the sensor.

[@4WDIESEL1]

another good video

[@donald1056]

GM is mad at you for not buying a new connector/cable - good soldering - it worked real good

[@compressorman43]

thank you I have this problem changing oil pump sensor and still soon as it gets hot on stop idler goes to low oil pressure to 3 psi

[@ojjenkins7110]

GOOD JOB IVAN. HI MRS IVAN. HAPPY HALLOWEEN. WAS THAT THE CHECK FROM THE GLASSES, PLASTICS JOINT? YOU EARNED THAT ONE AND THIS ONE TOO.

[@zoidberg444]

Ivan. What is your opinion on those old Maxidys units? Are they any good? I've been thinking of upgrading to one from my handheld autel scanner. I see a few of them going cheap on ebay recently. Nice diagnosis. Even better with a special guest appearance from Mrs Ivan.

[@PaulCTownsend]

Great video thank you.

[@bradnoyes7955]

Wait, the hot idle oil pressure is only 12 psi? That seems low, what is the spec for that engine?

[@markd.98]

DUDE, Where do I send you some $$$? You just saved me a ton of heartache by showing me how to rebuild a Delphi connector. I will say, soldering a 3mm long wire behind an engine is... um... loads of fun... Thank you for this!!!

[@GlynRobinson]

Awesome job!!!

[@rock1richful]

Super Vid

[@MitzvosGolem1]

screen under sender unit dirty often. o6 and later small screen feeds lifter s. Fixed a bunch just clean done.

[@sisobesobeso5115]

great video

[@jennikarhunen663]

classic keith tug test

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Very effective test! No green crusties this time around, just some broken copper ;)

[@Thunderroad8517]

Hey there, awesome as always.. what kinda scan tool you using there?

[@user-gj1lb6xp3t]

Epic!

[@patrickmockalis6013]

Aren't you supposed to use a crimper on those weather pack terminals? I used to find that it was quicker and sometimes the terminal won't fit into the connector if you leave those tangs up on the terminal.

[@jusb1066]

isnt the usual diagnosis (from the UK ive experienced..) fit a new sensor, find it doesnt work, charge for a diagnosis and a new sensor, more profit, then charge for a new connector, make customer wait weeks, charge them for another visit to fit it

[@keng5075]

Why would both high& low voltage oil pressure codes be always instantly stored . Along with just about every bank & sensor O2 code (5 different O2,plus the 2oil ones total 7 codes pop rite up...?

[@dc5723]

Bravo!

[@19Jimmmy79]

I'd be concerned about 12 psi of oil pressure if I was the owner. Sounds like it got some piston slap or rod knock as well.... Not your problem though. Nice fix!!

[@AP9311]

I get 12-14 psi at 650 rpm. Engine is rebuilt now at 77,000 miles. It's normal for GM, lol

[@nickcrane8329]

@@AP9311 That's not normal bro my 1500 has almost 200k miles and oil pressure at idle around 550-600 rpm is between 30 and 40 psi

[@billyr9840]

Nice !

[@polok890]

you should be working for nasa or an engineer at an automobile manufacturer

[@SuperM1687]

He has the qualifications....

[@jaimesustaita285]

Great job, what r your diagnostic fee and how far do u travel, seen sone of your other vids where u traveled to Montana i believe but it was a friend. Please let me know have some serious issues on a 93 ford f150 high idle, repetitive backfire and lack of power, thks.

[@712gln]

whats the usefulness of that scanner compared to the verus

[@Marc1999brp]

Hey great video by chance do you remember the hand held unit you are using, I have an 05 duramax same issue and I changed the plug, and oil gauge goes up to zero, thank you if you have time to reply.

[@lorrinbarth1969]

I think a truck of this vintage would benefit from a replacement oil pressure sender. One of these days it will quit from just being varnished shut.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

When it quits, it will be replaced. How about a new engine too? That lifter knock was pretty loud lol

[@veronicacorrella6358]

Gm 3500 pickup

[@lorrinbarth1969]

In the end it depends on what the client wants but I would have recommended it. My personal vehicle will be 15 years old next April. So after looking it over and seeing no rust I rolled out the parts cannon this summer and boom! I'm about 6 or 7 grand into it and still going. Hopefully the car is now as trustworthy as when new.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Whenever I install a new part on a car, in my eyes it becomes LESS trustworthy. The old part served faithfully for 200k miles, but the NEW part still has to prove itself!

[@lorrinbarth1969]

Ignore enough of these maintenance measures and pretty soon the vehicle is suitable only for the crusher.

[@TheUnpreparedMind]

Would a power probe work for this? And would this code also trigger a reduced power message on display?

[@jojojustice100]

I had p0523 oil pressure sensor changed and afm manifold still had p0523. Good oil pressure on bottom but low oil pressure on top. Engine replaced in Chevy Silverado

[@bengarcia6898]

What is the oil pressure sender unit supposed to read in idle and while driving in volts?

[@elcheapo5302]

An expertly executed Classic Reacharound, Ivan. Have you been practicing? ;)

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

:D

[@yadavsadha2577]

Good sir I like ur video

[@5Dale65]

Why did the speedo bounce up when you revved it in park at 23:34 ? Is this normal in automatics? (I live in Europe so forgive me such rookie question :P)

[@jamesbailey7785]

My neighbors 2007 1500 5.3 lost oil pressure the other day. Truck dipstick showed add quart. I topped off and started, gauge went to 40 at 1800 RPM . I can keep at 1800-2000 and it will stay at 40 ish for about 3 minutes then slowly drop to the warnings coming on then to zero.. To me this sounds like once oil get warm this sounds more like pump area problem more than a sensor. Any thoughts before I dive in?? Tom

[@1zicuiran]

Does anyone know where the 2004 BMW 325ci TCC solenoid is located or can provide a component location diagram and wiring diagram. please help!!!

[@shaunsautorepairs5410]

Quality job mate...just one question...when doing your bypass from the 5volt to the signal wire..is that a direct bypass with a wire or did you say you used a test light between them.i was thinking that sending 5volts down the signal wire would cause a short circuit or high voltage fault code?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

For low-current circuits I generally use a test light as a jumper. You would set a "circuit high" code for sure, but that just proves wiring integrity is good :)

[@shaunsautorepairs5410]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics thanks for the reply ivan, just wanted to check and make sure.

[@johnaclark1]

You can use a direct jumper wire and not hurt that circuit in any way. However, using a test light is always a safer method.

[@mhbarony1138]

Butane solder iron in an engine compartment next to the fuel rail!😳 You're barver than you look🙂 Love your videos though.

[@tomdewey9907]

Ivan, do you know if I could grab an instrument cluster from a junkyard from a similar Silverado/Yukon/etc vehicle which HAS the transmission oil temp gauge and add it to my 1999 Silverado 1500, and it would thus plug and play? I assume in my truck the servo motor in the cluster isn't there or maybe it is, but the faceplate/bezel just has a blank covering it? Tom D.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Well, that depends if your transmission already has a sending unit installed, and if you can see the trans temp readout on a scanner...

[@ycmdill]

Likely the 1999 ECU does not support that cluster. If a scan tool shows the transmission temp you might be able to add a dedicated gauge. I have a 2000 GMC and don't believe the cluster is anything like the 2004 Silverado.

[@tomdewey9907]

I assume the ECU used in that year used a transmission oil temp in the 4L60E tranny to assist control shift points thereof based on temps of the fluid. I don't know what GM's mindset was with (being the trans temp gauge was/has been an option and if the servo motor is already there behind the "bezel" curtain.

[@johnaclark1]

There is lots of info out there about adding the trans gauges. In many cases it's plug and play. There are companies that sell these clusters with the trans gauges installed and claim they work when you plug them in. A quick Google search will reveal a ton of hits. You can add the stepper motor, needle, gauge face, and a light bulb yourself but the cluster has to be programmed to display the trans temp.

[@johnnyyazzie7455]

I have a 2000 S10/2.2, my oil pressure is good around 40 psi, after it warms up, and eventually goes down to 5-10 psi, I tried new oil pump,new sensor, I'm up to the gauge, I don't want to ruin my engine...help

[@drivewasher]

Hi Ivan,why is the oil pressure psi displayed in red? My maxisys shows date in red when it's out of spec IE not within the limits in the left column

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Sometimes the "limits" on the Autel are completely arbitrary...no idea where they get the numbers!

[@josephwash109]

Seems like the maximum regulated oil pressure is 40psi from the oil pump. I figure the normal display range in the scan tool is based on a fully warm engine at idle. For example, I know the oil pressure spec on the GM 3.1L V6 is about 11-15 psi at idle, fully warm.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Wow what a difference! Depends on the oil viscosity as well. My rule of thumb is if the engine is not making noise and oil pressure is above 10psi at hot idle, then don't worry about it ;)

[@drivewasher]

Yep! If it aint broke, don't fix it!

[@mikeoneill7360]

Not sure if you were aware that there is a TSB on this issue, the pigtail is defective.

[@vitaly_vasilev_2012]

Спасибо.

[@allthingshiphop1151]

cant you just buy another harness?