P06DE: Engine oil pressure control circuit stuck on
Engine oil pressure control circuit stuck on
Severity: Inspect soon
Oil pressure codes are treated as fairly serious by KBB, and GM ties P06DE to engine noise and an Oil Pressure Low message on some cars, so get it checked soon.
It gets more serious if:
- Stop: Stop driving if the oil pressure warning light or an Oil Pressure Low message comes on, or you hear knocking from the engine.
P06DE in short
P06DE means the computer sees the oil pressure control solenoid, which varies a variable-displacement oil pump, stuck on or not matching commanded pressure. Causes include the solenoid, oil pump, wiring or oil problems. Do not ignore it: stop driving if an oil pressure warning or engine knocking appears.
Some engines use an oil pump whose output the computer adjusts through a control solenoid. P06DE is set when the circuit looks stuck on, so oil pressure stays high when lower is commanded (TaT), or commanded and actual pressure do not agree.
KBB lists the oil pressure sensor, wiring, wrong or low oil and mechanical faults of the oil pump or timing chain. GM has a preliminary bulletin that links P06DD or P06DE to front-of-engine noise and an Oil Pressure Low message on 2013 to 2015 GM cars.
KBB also warns that the exact meaning can differ by vehicle.
Most likely causes
Cause 1: Oil pressure control solenoid or oil pump fault
Supported by vehicle data- Why it ranks here
- TaT describes the solenoid circuit; GM's bulletin and one owner report point at the oil pump system. An owner replaced the solenoid and the code returned.
- What would change this
- Rises if the engine is noisy or low oil pressure shows with the code. Falls if mechanical oil pressure tests normal and wiring is at fault.
Cause 2: Wiring or oil pressure sensor fault
Possible — needs testing- Why it ranks here
- KBB lists the sensor and damaged wiring.
- What would change this
- Rises if the circuit has damaged wiring or the sensor reading disagrees with a mechanical gauge.
Cause 3: Low oil or the wrong oil
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- KBB lists low oil level and incorrect oil, and an oil and filter change is the first step in the owner thread.
- What would change this
- Rises if the oil is low, dirty or the wrong grade. Falls if oil is fine.
What to test first
Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.
Step 1: With the engine off and level, check the oil level and condition, and note any oil pressure message or warning.
IfOil is low, dirty or the wrong grade
It meansCorrect that first and recheck.
IfOil is fine
It meansHave oil pressure and the control circuit tested.
Step 2: Have a shop compare commanded and actual oil pressure and check the solenoid circuit, sensor and pump.
Warning:Oil pressure testing involves hot oil and running engines. Let a shop do it.
IfPressure is wrong or the solenoid does not respond
It meansThe solenoid or pump is suspect.
IfPressure is normal but the reading is not
It meansCheck wiring and the sensor.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on
- Engine mechanical noise from the front of the engine
- Oil Pressure Low message or oil warning light Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
- Knocking or noisy valve gear Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
How to fix
Step 1: With the engine off and cool, check the oil level on the dipstick and top up with the grade in the owner's manual.
Parts and cost context
- Engine oil pump:Oil pump and solenoid work can be labour-heavy; get a quote and ask whether a bulletin applies.
Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.
Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuideOn your vehicle
ChevroletYour car
2013–2015 · Impala
Supported by vehicle dataGM preliminary bulletin PI1482 links P06DE to front-of-engine noise and an Oil Pressure Low message. Only the NHTSA summary was read, so the repair is unknown and the bulletin is not verified as current.
2013–2014 · Malibu
Supported by vehicle dataGM preliminary information PIP5247 covers P06DE with the service engine soon light on 2013-2014 Malibu and Impala. Only the NHTSA summary was read; whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
2016–2019 · Cruze
Supported by vehicle dataGM preliminary information PIP5519A links P06DE to a mis-positioned timing chain tensioner gasket after major engine repairs. Only the NHTSA summary was read; whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
2013–2019 · Malibu
Supported by vehicle dataGM bulletin 18-NA-246 gives model-year repair procedures for P06DE with P0172 and/or P0521 on Malibu and other GM cars. Only the NHTSA summary was read; whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
PI1482Status unverified
Engine noise from the front and Oil Pressure Low message, DTC P06DD or P06DE
2013–2015impala, malibu · issued · NHTSA 10113666
Preliminary informational bulletin for a customer complaint of mechanical noise from the front of the engine and/or an Oil Pressure Low message with P06DD or P06DE set. The NHTSA summary does not state the repair; the same record covers Cadillac ATS/CTS and Buick Regal.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
PIP5247Status unverified
MIL with P06DE set in the engine control module
2013–2014malibu, impala · NHTSA 10114767
GM preliminary information for cars with a Service Engine Soon light where P06DE is set in the engine control module. The summary does not state the repair; the record also covers Cadillac ATS/CTS and Buick Regal.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
PIP5519AStatus unverified
Timing chain tensioner gasket mis-positioned, low oil pressure and P06DE
2016–2019cruze, malibu, spark, equinox, trax, volt · NHTSA 10141354
Preliminary information that a timing chain tensioner gasket installed improperly or mis-positioned after major engine repairs can cause low oil pressure and P06DE.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
18-NA-246Status unverified
MIL with P0172, P06DE and/or P0521
2013–2019malibu · NHTSA 10209255
Repair procedures, depending on model year, for a lit MIL with P0172, P06DE and/or P0521. The summary does not state the repair.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
BuickYour car
2020 · Encore
Supported by vehicle dataGM service update A202302140 covers a stuck oil pump with P06DE on the 2020 Buick Encore; dealers run the oil pump screening test. Only the NHTSA summary was read; whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
A202302140Status unverified
Engine oil pump stuck by foreign material, P0521, P06DE, P06DD
2020encore · NHTSA 10174813
Service update: the oil pump may be stuck by foreign material and set P0521, P06DE and P06DD; dealers run the oil pump screening test.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
Related codes
No curated relationships for P06DE yet.
P06DE questions
Can I keep driving with P06DE?
Avoid it. Oil pressure faults can damage the engine. Get it checked soon and stop if an oil warning or knocking appears.
Sources and review
- P06DE Code: Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit
- GM PI1482: engine noise from the front and Oil Pressure Low message, DTC P06DD or P06DE
- P06DE Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Stuck On
- Another P06DE (Vauxhall Insignia owner thread)
- Chevrolet bulletin PIP5247: MIL with P06DE set in the engine control module
- Chevrolet bulletin PIP5519A: Timing chain tensioner gasket mis-positioned, low oil pressure and P06DE
- Buick bulletin A202302140: Engine oil pump stuck by foreign material, P0521, P06DE, P06DD
- Chevrolet bulletin 18-NA-246: MIL with P0172, P06DE and/or P0521
- Last reviewed
- Written by
- Saurabh K.
- Editorial review
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- Technician review
- Technician review pending
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