What P06DA means
A switchable or variable oil pump saves fuel by lowering its output at part load; a solenoid valve sets the stage.
How the engine computer detects it
GM and Ford design it so the pump runs at full output, i.e. high pressure, when the valve is unpowered – the safe default – and at the low stage when powered. P06DA means the control circuit of this valve is open: it can no longer be powered, so the pump stays at high pressure. GM measures the voltage with the driver off and flags more than 200 kΩ after two trips; some GM modules set P06DB instead. GM checks the low-side driver at 11 V or more relay voltage over 40 of 50 samples (100 ms); Ford's smart driver reports output faults after 5 s with the battery at 11 V or more. Mitsubishi's 2022 Outlander uses the same code. The engine is not at risk, the pump just can no longer be regulated.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light after two trips
- Usually no noticeable symptom, oil pressure permanently high
- Slightly higher fuel consumption
Common causes
- Connector at the control valve loose or corroded (often at the pump in the oil pan) Most likely
- Valve coil open or valve broken Possible
- Supply (main relay) or control wire broken Possible
- Engine module software Less likely
How to diagnose P06DA
- Read every stored code with an OBD-II scanner. If misfire or fuel trim codes are there too, fix those first: they often cause this one.
- Inspect the parts involved: oil pump control valve, oil pump control circuit, engine control module.
- Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
- Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.
Vehicles that report P06DA most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Volt | 2016–2018 | 4 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P06DA (15 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 6
- Computer and output circuits
- DA
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P06DA?
Check the oil level before driving. This code can be a faulty sensor or control circuit, but you can't rule out real low oil pressure from the code alone. If the oil pressure warning light comes on, the engine starts ticking or knocking, or the oil is low, don't drive: have it towed.
Will P06DA clear by itself?
The light can go off after several drive cycles without the fault, but the code returns if the cause is still there. After a repair, the readiness monitors need a full drive cycle before an inspection.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P06DA. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
- P0030HO2S Heater Control Circuit (Bank 1 Sensor 1)4 complaints
- P0031HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1 Sensor 1)4 complaints
- P0135O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 14 complaints
- P0443EVAP System Purge Control Valve A Circuit4 complaints
- P0458EVAP System Purge Control Valve A Circuit Low4 complaints
- P0489EGR A Control Circuit Low4 complaints
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.