Oil temp sensor question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 39
Oil temp sensor question
when I 1st start up in the garage, I noticed these temp readings yesterday.
ambient temp in front of garage was 46, coolant temp was 46, HVAC outside temp was 46 but the oil temp was 36.
it this an indication of a faulty temp sensor?
ambient temp in front of garage was 46, coolant temp was 46, HVAC outside temp was 46 but the oil temp was 36.
it this an indication of a faulty temp sensor?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Oil temp sensor question (Gary2KC5)
I had an even more bizarre problem today. Started the car when the ambient temp was 17 degrees, oil TEMP on the DIC read "LOW" ?!?!
I drove it very carefully for about 30 minutes to get home, the oil temp continues to read "LOW" even when the coolant got above 170. Got home, coolant temp 185, oil temp still says low. Took the key out of the ignition, restart the engine, still says "low", repeat a couple of times with the same result ?!
Then I go inside, comtemplate how much fun this will be to sort out with the dealer, then after about 10 minutes give it one more try. Now the oil temp is 150 something. Seems to work fine now on repeat start stops.
What going on, is this a "sick" sensor ? Anyone else in cold areas of the country ever see this ?
I drove it very carefully for about 30 minutes to get home, the oil temp continues to read "LOW" even when the coolant got above 170. Got home, coolant temp 185, oil temp still says low. Took the key out of the ignition, restart the engine, still says "low", repeat a couple of times with the same result ?!
Then I go inside, comtemplate how much fun this will be to sort out with the dealer, then after about 10 minutes give it one more try. Now the oil temp is 150 something. Seems to work fine now on repeat start stops.
What going on, is this a "sick" sensor ? Anyone else in cold areas of the country ever see this ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 3
From: Gilbert, AZ, USA
Re: Oil temp sensor question (Gary2KC5)
I think my oil temp usually is lower than all the rest with a morning startup too, as the air heats up once the sun comes out, slowly heating everything up, but the oil has higher thermal mass AND lower exposure to ambient air than the coolant, so it stays colder from the early-morning temps and heats up slower.
As for the other guy, I'd call your dealer and see if they're willing to change out that oil temp sensor, it's acting up for sure.
Sam
As for the other guy, I'd call your dealer and see if they're willing to change out that oil temp sensor, it's acting up for sure.
Sam
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 39
Re: Oil temp sensor question (Sam Lin)
wow, "LOW" is bizzare. I've had the oil pressure get very low and the DIC will issue "reduce engine speed", and "select lower gear" but "LOW" for oil temp???
man I've seen mine as low as 35 degrees, but how low is "LOW" you must have had it parked outside for awhile.
man I've seen mine as low as 35 degrees, but how low is "LOW" you must have had it parked outside for awhile.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 21,365
Likes: 997
From: Various places in Southern California.
Re: Oil temp sensor question (Gary2KC5)
Gary, I wouldn't worry about the oil temp sensor. It's made to read very high temps, so it tends to be inaccurate at lower temps. Also, normal sample variation on these things makes similar readings unlikely. Frankly, I am surprised that you had three other gauges all agree!
There's an old adage--"A man with two watches never knows what time it is."
There's an old adage--"A man with two watches never knows what time it is."
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: White Plains NY
Re: Oil temp sensor question (Spiral Bri)
I had an even more bizarre problem today. Started the car when the ambient temp was 17 degrees, oil TEMP on the DIC read "LOW" ?!?!
I drove it very carefully for about 30 minutes to get home, the oil temp continues to read "LOW" even when the coolant got above 170. Got home, coolant temp 185, oil temp still says low. Took the key out of the ignition, restart the engine, still says "low", repeat a couple of times with the same result ?!
I drove it very carefully for about 30 minutes to get home, the oil temp continues to read "LOW" even when the coolant got above 170. Got home, coolant temp 185, oil temp still says low. Took the key out of the ignition, restart the engine, still says "low", repeat a couple of times with the same result ?!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland Ohio
Re: Oil temp sensor question (UNCMYC5)
I have had the same 'problem' with the "LOW" oil temp display. I figured it was just from the sitting/cold and lack of daily driving. I guess the vette doesn't like the winter cold either! :)
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Re: Oil temp sensor question (rev4679)
same exact happens to mine... usualy in temps in the teens and lower. I think it's normal, and have seen other posts here where other people have had the same experience.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,927
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From: Glendale NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Re: Oil temp sensor question (UNCMYC5)
White Plains
This is a 2003 ? Take it back to the dealer, this is not "normal"
:auto:
This is a 2003 ? Take it back to the dealer, this is not "normal"
:auto:
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Oil temp sensor question (Oldvetter)
I think it just said LOW. I'm pretty sure this was for the temp, not the oil level because:
1) The reading occurred at the oil temp "slot" in the DIC, I could toggle through the other 'gauge settings" normally, and it did not require RESET to get rid of.
2) My oil level is full on the dipstick.
Now I don't remember if it said LOW TEMP or just LOW, but definately did not say LOW OIL. There also was no warning on the HUD, which I would have expected if it was a low oil level warning.
[Modified by Spiral Bri, 10:04 PM 1/26/2003]
1) The reading occurred at the oil temp "slot" in the DIC, I could toggle through the other 'gauge settings" normally, and it did not require RESET to get rid of.
2) My oil level is full on the dipstick.
Now I don't remember if it said LOW TEMP or just LOW, but definately did not say LOW OIL. There also was no warning on the HUD, which I would have expected if it was a low oil level warning.
[Modified by Spiral Bri, 10:04 PM 1/26/2003]
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 1
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Re: Oil temp sensor question (Spiral Bri)
PS: See this thread regarding the same subject:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=480110
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=480110
