I have a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan Crew that has been giving me the dreaded P06DD off and on for some time now. It seems like every 3rd start I get the code and low oil pressure. What I have been doing lately before starting the van complete is turning the key to the "on" position to watch the oil pressure gauge drop to zero. Then start the van and watch the oil pressure climb. If it passes 40 I know that I'm usually good to go, if it hits 40 and doesn't go over I know the code is going to get thrown.
I've noticed as well that the code will only ever get thrown at engine start and never after the engine has been in operation for many miles. For example, I occasionally drive 40 miles from my home to visit family and the code won't throw at all. If the van is warm or recently used the code typically doesn't come on. My thoughts are that if it was the oil pump and/or solenoid that the code would be thrown regularly with no discrimination as to how long the van has been running or how many miles. If the solenoid is going to not engage I would think it would happen at random times (kind of like how a misfire will occur while in operation, not just at startup.
What have I done? Good question!
What I am looking to do is pull the intake and oil cooler to inspect for any potential damage and verify the seals are good. Then clean the valley as best as I can to ensure that no oil remains. Reinstall everything and take it for a drive.
On another post I saw that someone stuffed some rags around the oil cooler in order to determine if there is a leak and an idea as to where it may be coming from. I am looking to do that as well and mostly to verify that there are no leaks there.
I have seen on many other posts that swapping the oil pump was necessary due to the solenoid failing, my thoughts there is that there is a separate code that "should" be thrown if the solenoid was failing instead of the sensor. I'm very well aware that with modern cars one problem will often lead to another code being thrown. On the same note, I have seen those same posts say that the dealership has swapped the oil pump and the issue continues to remain with very little success in having the issue resolved
Questions:
I've noticed as well that the code will only ever get thrown at engine start and never after the engine has been in operation for many miles. For example, I occasionally drive 40 miles from my home to visit family and the code won't throw at all. If the van is warm or recently used the code typically doesn't come on. My thoughts are that if it was the oil pump and/or solenoid that the code would be thrown regularly with no discrimination as to how long the van has been running or how many miles. If the solenoid is going to not engage I would think it would happen at random times (kind of like how a misfire will occur while in operation, not just at startup.
What have I done? Good question!
- Changed oil at dealership (multiple times at correct intervals)
- Last oil change was in April 2021 - I've only put about 2000 miles on the oil and have about 3000 to go according to the oil change sticker
- I'm not driving as much anymore since working from home
- Checked (and changed) oil filter with the correct one (correct MOPAR filter was installed each time). Verified by markings and filter design
- Swapped Oil Pressure Sensor (Used Carquest branded sensor - unsure if original sensor swapped was aftermarket or OEM) - Any way to check for sure? I still have the original
- Replaced bypass valve - it was missing for who knows how long
- After swapping issue seemed to clear up for a solid two weeks and has slowly trickled back to happening every few start-ups.
- Contacting dealer tomorrow to determine what work was previously done. I remember having something replaced a few years ago at the dealer. I am hoping that something is covered but will have to wait and see.
- Looking to swap sensor with OEM
- Pull the cooler and determine if a leak is present
- Potentially swap cooler
- Swap seals
What I am looking to do is pull the intake and oil cooler to inspect for any potential damage and verify the seals are good. Then clean the valley as best as I can to ensure that no oil remains. Reinstall everything and take it for a drive.
On another post I saw that someone stuffed some rags around the oil cooler in order to determine if there is a leak and an idea as to where it may be coming from. I am looking to do that as well and mostly to verify that there are no leaks there.
I have seen on many other posts that swapping the oil pump was necessary due to the solenoid failing, my thoughts there is that there is a separate code that "should" be thrown if the solenoid was failing instead of the sensor. I'm very well aware that with modern cars one problem will often lead to another code being thrown. On the same note, I have seen those same posts say that the dealership has swapped the oil pump and the issue continues to remain with very little success in having the issue resolved
Questions:
- Is there anything that I'm missing? Anything that I can look into to help continue to self-diagnose? I certainly want to avoid having to replace the oil pump (I feel as though that's the ultimate last resort).
- When removing the oil cooler, do I need to drain the coolant? Or is it like the oil and should be low enough to remove the cooler without need to drain? The videos I've seen so far make no indication of needing to drain either so I'm assuming that it should be safe to do.
