Oil pressure sensor/switch circuit
What P0520 means
Your car's computer set P0520: Oil pressure sensor/switch circuit. It belongs to the speed, idle and auxiliary inputs group of codes. It is a generic code, so it means the same thing on every make. The check engine light usually comes on once the fault has been seen on two drives in a row. Until then it shows up as a pending code.
Can I keep driving? Check the oil level right away. Real low oil pressure destroys an engine quickly.
Common causes
- Low oil level
- Failed oil pressure sensor or switch
- Worn oil pump or engine bearings
Fix the cheapest, most likely cause first. Clearing the code without a repair only turns the light off until the fault comes back.
Check it yourself
Check the dipstick before anything else.
Torque Deck reads P0520 with a cheap Bluetooth OBD2 adapter. It also shows the freeze frame (engine conditions at the moment the code set) and the live data you need to narrow it down.
Parts
Parts most often replaced for P0520: oil pressure sensor. Confirm the cause first, and match the part to your exact engine.
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Related codes
This page explains what the code usually means. It is not a diagnosis of your car. When in doubt, ask a mechanic.