Low oil light question

[mytight95]

What are the reasons for the low oil light to come on? Obviously i have checked the oil, Just done an oil change anyhow, It is dead on the Full mark. Could having too much oil in it at one point cause it to come on, how does the switch work on a basic operating range etc. or what. I just got car back together two weeks ago, it was doing great, now this, and my valvetrain is noisy, could my oil pump be quitting.... or stopped up something?


thanks to any and all who try to help without assuming i am an idiot, and didn't check the oil. I just figured the name of the thread would attract attention.


Any ideas why it would come on without actually being low? Maybe a bad sending unit or something? I am gonna pull a valve cover tommorrow, and crank it and make sure it is in fact pumping oil.



thanks

jason

 

[95cobradude]

what does the oil pressure read? when the oil goes below level it grounds the sensor causing the light to go on. i got rid of all that when i put my canton 7 qt pan in.

 

[mytight95]

the oil pressure on the factory gauge reads good. I need to hook an aftermarket gauge to it and find out for sure. That is a good idea thanks. Also what all did you have to eliminate to run the canton pan, i am probably gonna run one of those on the new motor i am working on.



jason

 

[Rootus]

As I remember, the low oil light is activated by a sensor placed low on the side of the oil pan. If you've got more than say, half of the oil you should have, and it still shows low, then I'd say the sensor must have simply crapped out. 'Tis not the same sensor that measures oil pressure.

Dave

 

[mytight95]

i'll check that out as well, any idea why i would have a noisy valvetrain though....

Guess i will order me an autometer gauge, and hook it up later this week..



jason

 

[95cobradude]

i got the rear t-sump canton pan which doesn't come with a fitting for the low oil sensor so i didn't use it. the pan has two fittings on the side for a dipstick and a temp gauge.

 

[mytight95]

Ok i have ordered the oil pressure gauge from summit, but it hasn't gotten hear yet, i am still having this problem......any help appreciated

jason

 

[LoudToy958]

Sounds like you could have an oil pump failure on your hands. That would explain the noisy valvetrain. If the stock oil gauge reads any pressure at all, it will look normal. The only way it goes below normal is when the pressure is gone.

I would drain your oil, pull the sensor and see if it is covered in sludge or anything like that. You may just have a really cloged oil pickup. The pump may be working fine, but not pulling in enough oil. If your gonna pull the pan, I would at least reccommend putting a new oil pump in anyhow.

As for the sensor, it is on the drivers side of the pan. Right in the side of it. It is pretty easy to remove, and its about 3 inches long. As said before, drain the oil first, and don't loose the seal that is on it. Its big so its easy to see. It shouldn't actually come off the pan. Good luck.......


FYI: I pulled my oil level sensor, and use that port for my oil temp gauge sensor. Works like a charm........When you unplug the oil level sensor the light in the dash goes out.

 

[mytight95]

loudtoy, hope you don't mind i sent you a pm.


Guys, does anyone know for certain whether or not the pump can be changed without pulling the motor. If i have to pull the motor i will wait till i am done with the other shortblock i am working on.

I should be able to check oil pressure with my drill and the pump drive attachment right.... that is when get my oil pressure gauge installed....



thanks for time and opinions, i was thinking oil pump or the pickup being clogged, just didn't really want that to be it you know .



jason

 

[94TURBO5 O]

I agree like the others said about the sensor on the drivers side of the pan. Esp. if your oil level is full on the dipstick. So simply do as LT said and unplug the electrical connector from it.

 

[BlackVert]

if i park on a hill with the nose facing downhill, i'll often get a false oil light. i'm thinking the sensor is somewhere near the back of the pan.

 

[mytight95]

i am gonna go through all the scenarios tomm., i appreciate you guys taking the time to give me more ideas

and :chug:


jason