engine

Oil Pressure Sensor

for 2021 Honda Civic 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Easy

Time

30 min

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the oil pressure sensor on the 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L turbocharged engine.

Warnings

⚠Perform this procedure with the engine cold to avoid burns from hot oil and engine components

ℹ️A small amount of engine oil will drain from the sensor port when removed

⚠Do not over-torque the sensor as this can damage the threads in the engine block

Tools required

19mm deep socketEssential

3/8" ratchet with extensionEssential

Torque wrench (10-30 Nm range)Essential

Oil drain pan or shop towelsEssential

Thread sealantEssential

Wire brush or parts cleaner

Nitrile gloves

Parts

Oil pressure sensor × 1 — 37250-5AA-003 or equivalent

Preparation

Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
Ensure engine is completely cold
Disconnect negative battery terminal to prevent fault codes during sensor replacement
Remove engine cover by pulling upward on the cover clips

Procedure

1
Locate the oil pressure sensor
The oil pressure sensor is located on the front of the engine block, below the intake manifold and above the oil filter. It has a single electrical connector and is accessible from above on the 1.5L turbo engine.
2
Disconnect the electrical connector
Press down on the lock tab of the electrical connector and pull straight back to disconnect it from the oil pressure sensor. Move the wiring harness aside to provide clearance for sensor removal.
3
Prepare for oil spillage
Position shop towels or a small drain pan below the sensor location. Approximately 1-2 ounces of engine oil will drain from the sensor port when the sensor is removed.
4
Remove the old oil pressure sensor
Using a 19mm deep socket with extension, carefully loosen the oil pressure sensor by turning counterclockwise. Once loose, remove the sensor by hand and allow residual oil to drain into the towels or pan below.
5
Clean the sensor mounting area
Inspect the sensor port threads in the engine block for debris or old sealant. Use a wire brush or clean shop towel to remove any contaminants. Ensure the sealing surface is clean and free of damage.
6
Prepare the new sensor
Apply a small amount of thread sealant to the threads of the new oil pressure sensor. Use a thin, even coat on the first 2-3 threads only. Do not allow sealant to enter the sensor port opening.
7
Install the new oil pressure sensor
Thread the new sensor into the engine block by hand, turning clockwise until finger-tight. Ensure the sensor threads in smoothly without cross-threading. Use the 19mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the sensor to specification.
Torque spec
Oil Pressure Sensor20 Nm (15 lb-ft)
8
Reconnect the electrical connector
Push the electrical connector onto the new oil pressure sensor until it clicks into place. Verify the lock tab is fully engaged by gently pulling on the connector.
9
Reinstall engine cover
Align the engine cover clips with their mounting points and press down firmly until all clips are fully seated.
10
Reconnect battery and clear codes
Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Start the engine and verify the oil pressure warning light extinguishes within 2-3 seconds. Use an OBD-II scanner to clear any stored fault codes if necessary.