I went out of town 2 weeks ago and the oil level in my car was finr, only about 1k miles on a new change. I come back yesterdayand I have a low oil level warning light. I check it, maaaybe a quart low, so i add some. Still have the warning light.

Is this a common problem? Any way to reset it? The oil level is fine now...

 

It should go out when you add the oil. You may have to drive it around a bit for the sensor to pick up the new oil level.

 

If you parked on an incline that could happen as well. Happened to me parked on Rhino Ramps and went away when the car was level again.

 

may take a couple of starts to get it out..

 

The oil level sensor in your car uses reed switch technology and only "measures" the level in the time between key insertion and actual cranking of the engine. (Typically less then a second) Once the engine is running the vehicle does not interrogate the sensor as it would give an erronous reading. (Oil splashing around and a significant portion of the oil is up in the engine and no longer in the oil pan) This is why you get a false reading on an incline, the oil migrates to one side of the pan which lowers the float on the sensor which shows that there is low oil. I would check the oil level sensor on a level ground with the engine cold. (Make sure all the oil is in the pan) If the sensor has an open circuit, the sensor is bad. If the sensor has a closed circuit then it's working properly. The sensor is light tan in color and is mounted in the side of the oil pan. I can't remember if this sensor has a temp sensor integrated into it, if it does then you will see 3 terminals. 1 terminal will be a common ground, the other will be for temp (Resistance) and the third will be the oil level. Use an ohm meter, in the resistance mode, and you should easly be able to "decode" the pins. The temp sensor circuit will be in the vicinity of 12K ohms at room temp (With a higher resistance the lower the temp) , so it should be real easy to determine which terminal does what.
Good luck.

 

Oil level sensor is on the back of the motor.


Oil temperature sensor is on the side of the motor just above the oil filter.

 

yep, just needed to drive it around a bit. thanks!