Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Low
What it means
The engine computer has detected that the oil pressure sensor signal voltage is below the normal range. The cause is usually electrical, such as a short to ground or a failed sensor, but real low oil pressure must be ruled out first because the result can be serious for the engine.
Related lights
Dashboard lights that may come on with this code.
Symptoms4
- Check engine light on.
- Oil pressure light stays on or the pressure gauge reads zero.
- On some vehicles the computer limits engine speed for protection.
- Ticking from the engine if real pressure is low.
Possible causes5
- Signal wire shorted to ground.
- Internal sensor failure.
- Open reference supply wire to the sensor.
- Corroded or oil-soaked connector.
- Genuinely low oil pressure from low oil or a weak pump.
How to diagnose5
- Check the oil level immediately before anything else.
- Fit a mechanical gauge to confirm the real pressure.
- Unplug the sensor and watch the scan tool reading; a change when unplugged helps tell a sensor fault from a wiring fault.
- Measure reference supply and ground at the connector and compare with the manufacturer specification.
- Check the signal wire for a short to ground back to the computer.
How to fix5
- Top up or change the oil if the level is low.
- Clean or replace the connector.
- Repair the shorted or open wire.
- Replace the oil pressure sensor.
- Clear the codes and confirm the oil light is off and the reading is correct.
Repair cost
In Saudi riyals; the highlighted part is the expected range for this fault.
In the Saudi market: SAR 100–500 (≈ USD 27–133)
Our prices come from the Saudi market, converted at a fixed rate (SAR 3.75 per USD). Prices in your country may differ a lot, so we show the cost level.
If the fault is electrical, the cost is low and limited to the sensor or wiring; if real low pressure is confirmed, the repair is entirely different and can be expensive.
Prices are rough estimates for common cars at independent workshops and vary with the car and the source of the part.
Prices last updated: September 2026
Frequently asked questions
The oil light is on with this code. Should I keep driving?
No. Switch off the engine, check the oil level, and do not drive until a mechanical gauge confirms pressure is healthy, because real low pressure damages the engine quickly.
How is it different from P0524?
P0522 means the electrical signal voltage is low, which may be a wiring or sensor fault. P0524 means the computer sees genuinely low oil pressure from an electrically valid reading.
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