CAT Engine 10013 Fault Code: Engine Oil Pressure calibration required
Also called Engine Oil Pressure Calibration Required, Engine Oil Pressure Sensor : Calibration Required, Engine Oil Pressure Sensor : Out of Calibration, Engine Oil Pressure Sensor Calibration Required, Engine Oil Pressure Sensor calibration required, Engine Oil Pressure Sensor: Calibration Required, Engine Oil Pressure Sensor:Calibration Required, Oil Pressure Calibration, Oil Pressure Signal Calibration
Engine Oil Pressure calibration required · ai-assisted, editor-reviewed · Last updated 2026-07-13
TL;DR
CAT code 10013 (SPN 100, FMI 13) means the ECM could not complete automatic calibration of the engine oil pressure sensor against the atmospheric pressure sensor. It affects C12, C13, C15, C16, C18, C27, and C32 engines. It can be active-only on a brand new, never-powered ECM, or it can log if calibration fails during a normal key-on event.
Medium severity. This code does not by itself indicate a failed oil pump or low oil pressure condition, it means the sensor signal could not be verified against atmospheric pressure during calibration. However, because it can mask real low oil pressure or leakage problems, it should be diagnosed before extended operation, not ignored.
What does CAT Engine error code 10013 mean?
The engine oil pressure sensor sends the ECM a variable DC voltage signal, between 0.2 and 4.42 VDC, that changes with oil pressure. The ECM uses this to watch for a failed oil pump, oil leakage, or low oil level by comparing the signal to a map of oil pressure versus engine rpm stored in the Personality Module.
The sensor gets 5.0 volts DC supply from the ECM at pin J1/P1-63, returns ground through pin J1/P1-6 (shared with all analog sensors), and sends its signal on pin J1/P1-10. Its working range is 0 to 690 kPa (0 to 100 psig).
Every time the key is turned on, if the engine is not cranked for the first five seconds, the ECM runs an automatic calibration of the oil pressure sensor against the atmospheric pressure sensor. If the engine cranks before that five-second window ends, the ECM falls back on the previous stored calibration instead. Code 10013 sets when this calibration check fails or has never successfully completed.
What triggers a CAT Engine 10013 code?
The ECM sets this code when it detects any of the following during a calibration attempt: the oil pressure sensor has never been calibrated, oil pressure reads less than 35 kPa (5 psi), oil pressure reads greater than 130 kPa (19 psi), oil pressure fluctuates more than 25 kPa (3.6 psi) during the attempt, oil pressure differs more than 27 kPa (4 psi) from the atmospheric pressure sensor reading, or active diagnostic codes are already present on either the oil pressure sensor or the atmospheric pressure sensor during the attempt. On a brand new, never-powered ECM, this condition should normally only appear once, and an existing FMI #3 or #4 code on the sensor circuit can cause this FMI #13 to go active. The ECM evaluates each pressure sensor's signal against a reference voltage during every key-on event lasting at least two seconds.
Common causes of 10013
- Damaged, corroded, or abraded connectors, pins, or sockets in the oil pressure sensor circuit
- Connectors not fully coupled or seated
- Improper engine oil level, oil leakage, or an oil condition that pulls pressure outside the calibration window
- Incorrect oil pressure sensor installed for the application
- Damaged 5-volt supply wire, including an open circuit or a short to the sensor common or signal wire
- Open or short circuit in the signal wire, including a short to ground
- Sensor port blocked by debris
- Defective or faulty oil pressure sensor
- Problem in the engine harness or wiring in general
- Defective ECM, including a new ECM that has never been powered up and has not yet learned a calibration
How to troubleshoot CAT Engine 10013: first checks
- Check for other active codes on the oil pressure sensor or atmospheric pressure sensor circuits first. If either is active, resolve that fault before expecting 10013 to clear on its own.
- Verify engine oil level and look for signs of oil leakage. Low oil level or leakage can push the reading outside the acceptable calibration window.
- Inspect the oil pressure sensor connector and engine harness connectors for corrosion, damaged pins, bent sockets, or connectors that are not fully seated.
- Inspect the sensor port for blocked or restricted passages from debris.
- Check the wiring for abrasion, pinch points, or chafing, especially the 5-volt supply wire, signal wire, and common return wire.
- Confirm the correct oil pressure sensor part is installed for this engine.
- If wiring and sensor check out, suspect the ECM itself, particularly if this is a newly installed or never-before-powered control module.
How the code clears
No separate clearing step is listed beyond letting the ECM complete a successful automatic calibration. This happens during a key-on event where the engine is not cranked for the first five seconds after the key is turned on. Repair any wiring, connector, sensor, oil level, or leakage issue first, then cycle the key off and back on without cranking to allow the ECM to attempt calibration again. If the code was set on a brand new ECM due to a prior FMI #3 or #4 condition, resolving that underlying fault should allow calibration to complete normally.
Affected models and serial ranges
10013 appears in our records across 7 CAT Engine models. Match your machine by model and serial number.
| Model | Serial ranges |
|---|---|
| C12 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C13 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C15 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C16 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C18 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C27 | Serial range not listed in source records |
| C32 | Serial range not listed in source records |
Frequently asked questions
What does CAT code 10013 mean?
It means the ECM tried to automatically calibrate the engine oil pressure sensor against the atmospheric pressure sensor and the calibration failed or has never been completed. It is identified as SPN 100, FMI 13.
Does 10013 mean my engine has low oil pressure?
Not necessarily. The sensor itself is used to detect low oil pressure, but this specific code is about the calibration process failing, not a confirmed low pressure event. That said, actual low oil level or leakage is listed as a possible cause, so oil level should always be checked.
Is code 10013 active or logged in memory?
It depends on the situation. On a brand new, never-powered ECM, it may show as an ACTIVE code only and not be logged. In other cases, particularly a normal calibration attempt failure during regular operation, the ECM will log the diagnostic code.
Which CAT engines can set this code?
The C12, C13, C15, C16, C18, C27, and C32 engine families can all set fault code 10013.
Why does turning the key on matter for this code?
The ECM only runs its automatic sensor calibration during the first five seconds after key-on, and only if the engine is not cranked during that window. Cranking before five seconds elapses causes the ECM to use the last stored calibration instead of attempting a new one.
Can a blocked oil pressure sensor port cause this code?
Yes. Debris blocking the sensor port is listed as a possible cause, since it can prevent the sensor from reading pressure accurately during the calibration window.
Will replacing the ECM clear this code?
It can, if the ECM itself is defective or if the code was triggered because the ECM was new and never powered up. However, ECM replacement should be a last step after wiring, connectors, the sensor, and oil condition have all been checked and ruled out.