P06DE in Cadillac ATS – What Are the Culprits and Best Fixes?

If you see the P06DE code in your Cadillac ATS, it means that there is a problem with the oil pressure - either the pump or the oil control solenoid is down. Also, it may mean a dozen other things that suddenly throw exactly the P06DE code. Anyway, the problem is with the oil pressure and lubrication of the engine, so this is pretty serious.

P06DE code highlights

• Level of urgency:High
• Possible culprits:Oil pump, oil pressure sensor, low oil level
• Price for repair:$150 - $450
• If neglected:Poor lubrication and engine death
• DIY repairs:Possible but complicated
• Can you drive?Not recommended

Symptoms that you may spot along with the P06DE code

So, the Cadillac ATS will often treat you with the check engine light. If you own this car and it already has some miles on it, you will want to have a good code scanner with you in the glove box at all times. Why? Because the codes may pop up suddenly when you are in the middle of nowhere and you will want to know what triggers them.

If you see the P06DE code, there is nothing positive in it. This problem tells you about the issues with the oil control solenoid. The thing is that the ATS 2.0L Turbo engine has a variable-pressure oil pump. It may adjust to the driving style and provide the engine with the needed type of lubrication. Actually, there are two options - high pressure and normal pressure. The P06DE says that only high pressure is now working.

I should tell you now that it's not always true and the code may mean something else. It will still be connected with the oil pump and its work.

So, here are the symptoms that may help you identify the issue:

• the limp mode with limited RPMs - engine revolutions may be limited to 4000 RPM due to lubrication problems;
• loss of power - the engine may limit the power so that you couldn't damage it by driving aggressively;
• unusual sounds from the engine - it's possible that the machine will make some vibrations and unpleasant sounds;
• overheating - if the lubrication is actually bad, you can see that the temperature gauge is acting unexpectedly;
• engine stalling - in extreme cases, the engine may stall to avoid being damaged.

I wouldn't say that the problem is so common that all ATS owners will sooner or later encounter it. No, the P06DE may bother you and there are several common things that trigger it. But you may drive your Cadillac for 200,000 miles and not see this fault at all.

The type of the variable performance oil pump and its electronics - these are the things that may really bother you. But the problem is that locating the actual issue that triggers this code is not that easy.

What are the reasons for this error code to appear?

Your Cadillac ATS is a great car to drive. But it's not really good to repair. OEM parts cost a lot and inspection may take extremely much time which makes you pay more money. Repair costs are just insane, so many ATS owners want to be able to inspect and even repair their vehicles on their own.

This is a very ambitious goal, but sometimes, it can actually lead to a serious money economy. Let's see which issues can trigger the P06DE code in the Cadillac ATS.

1. Broken oil pump

You will be surprised, but the broken oil pump is not the only and maybe even not the most common culprit for this error code. But still, it's worth checking the pump whenever you have problems with engine lubrication.

The pump has complicated technologies and is not really durable. It can fail to produce the proper pressure of oil and eventually trigger several possible codes. Also, it may send the engine to limp mode and provide you with a big set of additional problems.

Inspecting the pump is not that easy as well as replacing it.

2. Oil control solenoid

Given the pump is a two-mode unit in your ATS, there is a solenoid that turns the needed mode. Whenever the RPM goes up, the solenoid turns open and the pump starts making higher pressure of oil to activate the oil injectors in the engine block. This makes the lubrication more efficient and helps the engine live a longer and happier life.

But when this mode can't turn on or off, the solenoids will send bad readings to the ECU and the P06DE may come. Actually, the oil control solenoid is one of the most obvious causes of this code.

3. Low oil level

You will be surprised, but many Cadillac ATS owners don't know how to check the oil level in their cars. Please open the manual for your car (here's the official Cadillac manual). The manual says that the engine should be off for at least 2 hours, so only check the oil level in a cold engine. Also, make sure the car is on the level ground.

If the oil level in your engine is low, the P06DE code is pretty normal. It will tell you that the lubrication is worse than expected. Adding oil is important when needed. But be careful - if the engine oil level is too high, it's also harmful to the machine.

4. Incorrect oil viscosity

Cadillac recommends 5w30 oil for the 2.0L Turbo engine. If you use the incorrect viscosity of the oil, chances are that the oil control solenoid will not open or close when needed. The same happens when the oil is extremely contaminated. The solenoid has very thin passages and if something like a metal shave gets stuck there, the solenoid will not be working.

It's important to use the recommended oil in your engine. Read the manual that I've linked above to understand which type of oil you need for the engine you have in your Cadillac ATS.

5. ECU problems

Many ATS owners on forums said that they couldn't get rid of the P06DE code after replacing the oil, oil control solenoid, and then the oil pump. The code still was there. In this case, I would check the ECU for possible problems.

The best way to do this is to go to the dealership and ask them to test the ECU. Maybe, they will also have a newer version of the software. The update may also solve some other minor problems in your ATS.

6. Oil pressure sensor

The ECU makes any conclusions about the oil pressure in the engine relying on the readings of the oil pressure sensor. If the ECU understands that the system should be working in high oil pressure now but it doesn't get the proper readings from the oil pressure sensor, it may decide that there is a problem with the solenoid.

But sometimes, the culprit is the oil pressure sensor which is pretty easy to replace. Also, it won't cost you a fortune, so sometimes this is the thing to start with.

Can you drive with the P06DE code?

In most cases, you can drive. But before that, you better do the following:

• stop your vehicle, wait for 20-30 minutes, and look at the oil level - make sure it isn't too low now;
• make sure there are no oil leaks or other problems;
• locate the oil control solenoid and make sure that it's not disconnected;
• make sure the engine isn't vibrating and isn't making any other unnatural sounds.

If everything seems to be OK, you may drive. But I strongly recommend driving carefully - up to 3000 RPM. If the solenoid isn't working and the system will not supply the engine with the needed oil pressure, the engine may be damaged.

Also, you shouldn't ignore the problem. You can drive several miles till you reach the nearest dealership. But that's it. You shouldn't drive for several weeks looking at the check engine light illuminating on the dash. If you do that, chances are that the engine will die and you will need to invest in the new one.

How much is it to solve this problem?

There isn't much you can do on your own but check the oil level and top up the oil if needed. Also, ATS owners with some technical knowledge and experience can also replace the oil pressure sensor and the oil control solenoid. But that's it. For anything more complicated than that you will obviously need a lot of tools and expertise.

Servicing the ATS at a dealership is expensive. The oil pump replacement will cost you over $1,000 (parts plus labor). The problem is in the complicated construction of the engine and in pretty expensive parts for the Cadillac car.

Final thoughts

Although the P06DE code may not seem very serious at first, it's extremely important to pay attention to this problem. You shouldn't ignore the issue. The problem is most likely with the oil pump and/or the oil control solenoid. But you should also know the list of other common culprits.

To solve the issue, you better find a good mechanic who can locate the problem and repair your car. Even getting to the oil pump in the 2.0L Turbo or any other Cadillac engine is extremely hard and will require a lot of knowledge and special tools.

If you still have some questions, just ask them in the comments! Also, share your experience about dealing with the P06DE code in the ATS.