Oil level sensor question?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,412
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From: Little Elm TX
Oil level sensor question?
I know this sounds strange, but how does it work? If it goes bad, does it stay on? Not come on at all? Mines lost the stuff around it, but I think it's still working, but I'm not sure. Anyway to tell without running an engine low on oil?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Vancouver WA
Re: Oil level sensor question? (Dan Parker '96)
Luckily... GM provides a dipstick for oil ;)
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,412
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From: Little Elm TX
Re: Oil level sensor question? (Dan Parker '96)
Luckily... GM provides a dipstick for oil ;)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
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From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Oil level sensor question? (R94 LT 1)
Mine comes on when the oil gets about 3 drops low and stays on unless you cycle the ignition. So, I just turn on my ignition w/out starting, then turn it back to off and then start the car.....works like that.
I've changed my sensor thinking that it was a bad sensor because the low oil light comes on too often for my liking. Like right after an oil change when I know for a fact that I put in 4.5 qts of fresh Mobil 1. But, there it is shining in my face :mad . So, I spent the $40 for a new one and guess what? Yup, that damn light was looking at me again. So I just use the dipstick and be done with it. Figure it was around long before this dumn sensor whom has attended way too many sensitivity training seminars.
The sensor has a strange sort of float looking thing on the end of it, but is surrounded by the main body as well. I'm not sure if the float is used to measure voltage or resistance. I looked real close at the new one and studied the old one as well, and aside from the smell of oil and a stain couldn't see much of a difference from the outside. Both are GM parts.
I've changed my sensor thinking that it was a bad sensor because the low oil light comes on too often for my liking. Like right after an oil change when I know for a fact that I put in 4.5 qts of fresh Mobil 1. But, there it is shining in my face :mad . So, I spent the $40 for a new one and guess what? Yup, that damn light was looking at me again. So I just use the dipstick and be done with it. Figure it was around long before this dumn sensor whom has attended way too many sensitivity training seminars.
The sensor has a strange sort of float looking thing on the end of it, but is surrounded by the main body as well. I'm not sure if the float is used to measure voltage or resistance. I looked real close at the new one and studied the old one as well, and aside from the smell of oil and a stain couldn't see much of a difference from the outside. Both are GM parts.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Oil level sensor question? (R94 LT 1)
My light doesn't come on unti it's actually low. Might try putting in 5 quarts. Think about it this way, at any given moment there will be quite a bit of oil up in the motor while it's running. If it's a 16th of an inch over full when cold with 5 quarts, just fire it up and run it for a few minutes. Check it again. So long as the crank isn't slapping the oil you'll be fine.
I did have a broken sensor, came apart when I dropped the pan to get at the timing cover. It would "work" but it would come on for no reason and stay on until I cycled the key.
I did have a broken sensor, came apart when I dropped the pan to get at the timing cover. It would "work" but it would come on for no reason and stay on until I cycled the key.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
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Re: Oil level sensor question? (lou sylvestri)
Everyone is kind of dancing around it but not really providing an answer to the underlying question.
Does the sensor show the circuit open or closed when the oil level is low?
Is it a sensor that will come on while the engine is running or does it only look at the level at startup? If it works at runtime, how fast does the gauge react?
If the plastic cover at the tip of the gauge is broken off, but the sensor components are still in tact, will it set a code, work properly, or simply not function and not tell you.
Does the sensor show the circuit open or closed when the oil level is low?
Is it a sensor that will come on while the engine is running or does it only look at the level at startup? If it works at runtime, how fast does the gauge react?
If the plastic cover at the tip of the gauge is broken off, but the sensor components are still in tact, will it set a code, work properly, or simply not function and not tell you.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 259
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Oil level sensor question? (Vette92)
Everyone is kind of dancing around it but not really providing an answer to the underlying question.
Does the sensor show the circuit open or closed when the oil level is low?
Is it a sensor that will come on while the engine is running or does it only look at the level at startup? If it works at runtime, how fast does the gauge react?
If the plastic cover at the tip of the gauge is broken off, but the sensor components are still in tact, will it set a code, work properly, or simply not function and not tell you.
Does the sensor show the circuit open or closed when the oil level is low?
Is it a sensor that will come on while the engine is running or does it only look at the level at startup? If it works at runtime, how fast does the gauge react?
If the plastic cover at the tip of the gauge is broken off, but the sensor components are still in tact, will it set a code, work properly, or simply not function and not tell you.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 743
Likes: 4
From: Guyton GA
Re: Oil level sensor question? (R94 LT 1)
I didn't know there was one. I also put in only 4.5 qts at oil change and never had the light come one. I will have to look up more info on this sensor later.
[Modified by merrick, 1:34 AM 9/10/2002]
[Modified by merrick, 1:34 AM 9/10/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
Re: Oil level sensor question? (R94 LT 1)
Is it a sensor that will come on while the engine is running or does it only look at the level at startup? If it works at runtime, how fast does the gauge react?
The red check guages light will illuminate anytime oil pressure drops really low (<8psi).
Adding five quarts is not a good idea, but I do fill it up all the way to the top of the line on the dipstick. Still get the light......POS sensors....
Does the sensor show the circuit open or closed when the oil level is low?
If the plastic cover at the tip of the gauge is broken off, but the sensor components are still in tact, will it set a code, work properly, or simply not function and not tell you.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,412
Likes: 259
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Oil level sensor question? (Goody)
Guess it's time to replace mine then. It's gotten to the point were it comes on every morning. If I shut the car off and restart it, it will go out. :rolleyes: Plenty of oil in the pan.
Thanks for the answers. :yesnod:
Thanks for the answers. :yesnod:
