Powertrain, generic (extended)

P250A Engine Oil Level Sensor Circuit

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

P250A is the general circuit code for the engine oil level sensor, a unit in the sump that today mostly measures by heated element or ultrasound and often reports oil temperature as well. Its use varies. GM's 2018 preliminary information for several trucks, SUVs and V8 cars lists P250A among codes caused by a jumper harness chafed near connector X154 on the front cover. Mazda tells technicians that on the 2016–2017 CX-9 an oil warning lamp with P250A can simply come from overfilled oil, so the level must be checked first. Deutz's EMR controller files a ground fault of the level sensor as P250A-F0. Specific low, high and erratic signals are P250C to P250E, a genuinely low level P250F.

Likely causes

Sensor harness chafed or pinched (GM X154 jumper harness)
Engine oil overfilled, sensor reading out of range (Mazda CX-9)
Oil level sensor defective or leaking at its seal
Corroded or oily connector at the sump

Symptoms

  • Oil level warning or message in the cluster
  • Oil level display missing or wrong
  • With harness damage, further engine codes and stalling (GM)

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€0–400
Time0.3–2 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

oil level sensorsensor wiring

Related codes

P250BP250CP250DP250EP250F

References: static.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov, serdia.deutz.com, hella.com.