Low Oil Level
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
Low Oil Level
So I took the car out of storage about a month ago and had the oil changed at the dealer.
The other day I had it parked and I was washing it, my drive way is on an incline (as seen in the picture).
After I finished washing it I took it for a quick spin around the block and the LOW OIL LEVEL came up on the DIC. I figured it was because of the incline. I took it back to the garage (which is leveled), parked it and reset the DIC. The next day I checked the oil level with the dipstick and it seemed okay, I took it out and it DID NOT show any LOW OIL LEVEL and I didn't notice any oil dripping/pooling around where the engine is on the garage floor.
So my question is this, is it because of the parking angle that allowed the oil sensor to give a false reading?!
The other day I had it parked and I was washing it, my drive way is on an incline (as seen in the picture).
After I finished washing it I took it for a quick spin around the block and the LOW OIL LEVEL came up on the DIC. I figured it was because of the incline. I took it back to the garage (which is leveled), parked it and reset the DIC. The next day I checked the oil level with the dipstick and it seemed okay, I took it out and it DID NOT show any LOW OIL LEVEL and I didn't notice any oil dripping/pooling around where the engine is on the garage floor.
So my question is this, is it because of the parking angle that allowed the oil sensor to give a false reading?!
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
So I took the car out of storage about a month ago and had the oil changed at the dealer.
The other day I had it parked and I was washing it, my drive way is on an incline (as seen in the picture).
After I finished washing it I took it for a quick spin around the block and the LOW OIL LEVEL came up on the DIC. I figured it was because of the incline. I took it back to the garage (which is leveled), parked it and reset the DIC. The next day I checked the oil level with the dipstick and it seemed okay, I took it out and it DID NOT show any LOW OIL LEVEL and I didn't notice any oil dripping/pooling around where the engine is on the garage floor.
So my question is this, is it because of the parking angle that allowed the oil sensor to give a false reading?!
The other day I had it parked and I was washing it, my drive way is on an incline (as seen in the picture).
After I finished washing it I took it for a quick spin around the block and the LOW OIL LEVEL came up on the DIC. I figured it was because of the incline. I took it back to the garage (which is leveled), parked it and reset the DIC. The next day I checked the oil level with the dipstick and it seemed okay, I took it out and it DID NOT show any LOW OIL LEVEL and I didn't notice any oil dripping/pooling around where the engine is on the garage floor.
So my question is this, is it because of the parking angle that allowed the oil sensor to give a false reading?!
False reading on DIC, from parking nose down on an incline.
You might want to check the dip stick while the car has set over night on a level surface to make sure that the person that did your
oil change, filled the oil to the line on the stick.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 628
Likes: 4
From: Columbia SC
You'd need a lot more angle than that driveway to trigger a "low oil" message. I've had C5s at much greater angles without any dashboard oil warning. Something else is going on 'tho it might well be just one of those odd electronic glitches that pop up on occasion for no reason. A low battery is known to cause the appearance of dashboard messages but I haven't seen "low oil" come up under that condition.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
i got the message, and it was because the oil level sensor went bad. yours might be on its way out also. it is a very common issue. cheap part and easy to replace. you may want to replace it your next oil change. that message should only come on when you are DANGEROUSLY low on oil.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
i got the message, and it was because the oil level sensor went bad. yours might be on its way out also. it is a very common issue. cheap part and easy to replace. you may want to replace it your next oil change. that message should only come on when you are DANGEROUSLY low on oil.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
With where the oil level sensor is located in regards to the length of the pan it self, it's easy to see where you could get a "low oil" reading to come on after setting with the nose pointing downward for an extended (few hours) amount of time.
It's not an uncommon occurence.
It's not an uncommon occurence.
Last edited by bumble-z; May 26, 2011 at 06:42 PM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 1
From: ON THE RED RIVER TEXAS
I got the message too.... Checked my oil level and it was just a little more than a qt low....
So I immediately stopped and bought a couple quarts and added enough oil to bring it up to full. Started up the car... -oil pressure guage pegged at 80psi....
Nice...
So I immediately stopped and bought a couple quarts and added enough oil to bring it up to full. Started up the car... -oil pressure guage pegged at 80psi....
Nice...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 82
From: New Market AL
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
My car is sitting in a farmer's front yard. I just put on long tube and headers and had a dyno tune done. I was 25 miles from there when the engine shut down and coasted to a stop. I had a low oil level on the dic. No codes only the low oil level. after several trys it started and I got 2 more miles and the engine shut down again. The level was right up there on full. What I was wondering was if the headers melted the wires going to the sending unit would that shut the engine down? By the way, when I stopped and tried to start the engine, after clearing the code it would start but shut off immediately .
Last edited by kart76; May 28, 2011 at 05:21 PM. Reason: correcting error
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
You'll have to look up in the area of your starter for the
oil pressure sensor(pass side)
I don't think the wires melted.
Look for pulled/ripped wires or possibly the unit itself got cracked,
when installing the headers.
Good luck.
oil pressure sensor(pass side)
I don't think the wires melted.
Look for pulled/ripped wires or possibly the unit itself got cracked,
when installing the headers.
Good luck.
Last edited by bumble-z; May 28, 2011 at 09:57 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo Michigan
Thanks, I'll look as soon as I can get the car home and out of the farmers front yard.
Would that switch failure be enough to shut the motor down? Does that do that besides giving a Low oil level dic
Would that switch failure be enough to shut the motor down? Does that do that besides giving a Low oil level dic
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
I'm not sure if your car would shut down from a faulty switch.
Leaning towards not.
Wonder about the ground wire on the drivers side.
When I did my headers, I disconnected the ground to get the headers in, & reinstalled it afterwards. May be it's not tight?
This is all second guessing.
Is your car an 02 or 03 LS/6 Z?
If so, maybe a broken valve spring?. I wouldnt try starting it again untill you pull the valve covers off & give each spring with a bright light a good eye balling.Of course, second guessing again.