If you have a second-generation Chevrolet Silverado and have faced problems with one and more sensors on the truck, you’re not alone. Over the years these trucks have revealed a few weaknesses in their electrical system. Some of these are benign, but some can potentially cause a few problems down the road. The oil pressure sensor issue falls in the latter category. 

While this sensor doesn’t necessarily affect anything important directly, its failure leaves you without important information. Today we’ll walk you through what causes a Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue, how to spot it and how to fix it. 

Purpose of the Oil Pressure Sensor

The oil pressure sensor has the role of displaying the oil pressure and sending out a warning if it falls below the required range. An engine requires a certain amount of oil pressure to run. Without oil pressure, the engine won’t get sufficient lubrication and will ultimately come to what is essentially a grinding halt. There are two main parts of the oil pressure sensor — a diaphragm and a spring-loaded switch. The former is exposed to the oil pressure.

The oil pressure pushes against the diaphragm which then transfers the information to the aforementioned switch. When that happens, the switch is able to determine the oil pressure and send that data to the dashboard gauge. 

What Causes the Chevrolet Silverado Oil Pressure Sensor Issue?

The Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue is prevalent on V8-powered trucks built between 2007 and 2013. While V8 Silverados from as early as 2003 experienced similar problems, oil pressure sensor failure became a lot more common in 2007. To make things worse, GM’s attempt at fixing the issue only added more problems.

At some point before 2007, the company realized that the oil pressure sensors they were using were failing due to dirt and debris. They decided to fix this problem by adding a filter or screen around the switch. In theory, this filter would keep the dirt and debris out and keep the oil pressure sensor running as it should.

While this was a sincere effort at fixing the Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue, it ended up causing incorrect readings and error codes more often. The filter did work, but it got clogged quite easily. That stopped oil from flowing onto the sensor which then failed to provide an accurate reading.

Not many realized that the filter was also part of the problem and would only replace the sensor, leaving the filter intact. Needless to say, that solution usually didn’t last too long. 

How to Diagnose the Chevrolet Silverado Oil Pressure Sensor Issue?

The first symptoms of the Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue are incorrect readings on the dashboard. You could be driving along and notice the oil pressure gauge fall to zero. Yes, that is certainly quite scary to look at which is why we recommend finding a safe place to stop as quickly as possible.

Although rare, there is always a slight chance that there’s not enough engine oil reaching all the important bits. You do not want to drive if there’s an oil pressure issue as that can write off the engine. However, if you are already at the stage where you’ve driven for miles with the oil pressure reading at zero, it’s most certainly the infamous Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue. Keep in mind, there will be a warning message on the dash that states “oil pressure low, stop engine”.

Your next step should be to connect a compatible scan tool and search for error codes. The two most common error codes for the Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue are P0521 and P0523. These two error codes indicate that the “oil pressure sensor switch performance is out of range” and that there’s a “sensor high-voltage”. There have also been instances where owners have noticed error codes P0520 and P0522. These also have to do with the oil pressure sensor.

Where Is the Oil Pressure Sensor Located?

The step would be to get to the oil pressure sensor. Please note that this part is also called the oil pressure sending unit. This is where the Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue becomes a real problem as replacing it can be quite tricky. The sensor sits behind the engine and in front of the transmission bell housing. There’s limited access because there’s not much room between the engine and the firewall. 

Many mechanics recommend dismantling a lot of the engine accessories around the sensor to make things easier. However, this can be a time-consuming process. Chevrolet has a special tool designed to remove this specific part. It’s designed to fit in the area and allow a good amount of range which will allow you to get it off fairly easily. Some people have managed to get the sensor out without the special tool. While doable, be prepared for a fight.

If you plan on keeping the Silverado for a longer period, we recommend getting the special tool as you may need to do it again.

How to Fix the Chevrolet Silverado Oil Pressure Sensor Issue?

Once the oil pressure sensor is out, make sure to remove the filter we spoke about earlier. You might need to pick it out of the oil gallery in the same location. At this point, it’s a good idea to replace both these parts regardless of the condition. 

The secret to solving the Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue is replacing these parts. Even if the filter doesn’t appear to be completely clogged, there might be small debris disrupting the flow.

Fortunately, both these parts are inexpensive, so it’s a good idea to replace them both in one go. While you might come across recommendations for cleaning the filter online, we do not recommend doing so as it rarely results in long-term reliability. 

To replace the oil pressure sensor, you’ll need to pop the engine cover and reach deep into the engine bay near the firewall. Remove the connector and use a 27 mm deep socket to unscrew the sensor. 

Let’s Talk Parts

As far as replacements go, we suggest sticking to reputable OEMs such as ACDelco. Grab yourself one of their 12673134 oil pressure sensors, and you’re good to go. If your Silverado is of the same generation but older than 2013, double-check that the connector type fits as there is also a sensor with a poka-yoke type connector as well as another kind of round connector. 

The good thing about the ACDelco sensor is that it comes with thread lock applied, so you’re clear to install it out of the box. The sensor itself is fairly solid and will most likely solve your oil pressure sensor problem for good. 

Get Quality Parts for Your Chevy Silverado! 

When it comes to electronic parts like sensors, quality plays a big role in their longevity. If you want to make sure the Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue doesn’t come back, use high-quality replacement parts.

 It’s also a good idea to change your oil and oil filter during the process to make sure there isn’t any contamination in the oil. Conveniently, you can find everything you need to fix the Chevrolet Silverado oil pressure sensor issue right here at Newparts.com. Simply head to our Shop and order away!