Oil Light Issue??

**si_hoss** · 26th August 2010, 10:37

Hey all,

Firstly - 2.2Dti 109k on the clock - My oil light came on last week for the first time in the 25k I've owned the car so when I checked indeed the oil was at the lower mark of the dipstick. Topped it up and jobs a goodun.

However - this morning the light came on again on way to work,

so pulled over to the next services on the M1 and checked the level. This time 3/4 up the stick, so hardly warning light time, thought maybe cos I filled it on a slight downhill slope that I didn't go all the way, so with my top up bottle in the boot I topped it up again. Marvellous. 50miles later, light back on

The last oil service was at 100k so only 9k ago, and I was going to change it anyway in the next month at 110k before winter. It doesn't smoke unless it's floored which I hardly do. Do you think maybe it's a suddenly sensitive oil sensor? Is the light just a simple level check or pressure? Would it store any fault codes?

If it's an expensive fix might be time to get rid

**Caveman_nige** · 26th August 2010, 11:06

i found that the connector to my sensor on the bottom of the sump etc was bad and needed reseating a few times..

**Rapala** · 26th August 2010, 11:17

If the light you are seeing is is red with an oil can it is the oil pressure light. You may just have a faulty sensor or a damaged cable coming from it. When this light comes on there is usually very little pressure in the system if it is the oil pump thats at fault. The sensor is screwed into the rear of the block above the driver side driveshaft on your car iirc.

**si_hoss** · 26th August 2010, 11:52

Thanks guys - the light i'm talking about is the amber one in the little window in the rev counter. Does this one indicate the level then??

I'll get under the car this weekend (or when it stops raining) and check the seating to the sump and supersolve everything. Hope that sorts it.

**Rapala** · 26th August 2010, 12:13

If that one is the oil can with a wavy line below it then the answer is yes.

**si_hoss** · 26th August 2010, 12:24

Originally Posted by Rapala

If that one is the oil can with a wavy line below it then the answer is yes.

Sweeeeeeeeet thanks!!!

As I know there's plenty of oil in the engine I'm not so worried now. Hope it stops raining soon!

**AntB** · 11th September 2010, 18:44

Did you ever get to the bottom of this problem?

Mine has just done the same thing (albeit with a different engine); low oil warning light comes on just as I'm coming off the motorway so I pull over, give it a few minutes and then check the level which was fine (as it was last night when I checked). I started up again & the light was off, drove the half mile to where I was going & it stayed off. Double checked the level again later on & it was ok. Started home on the motorway & light stayed off for about 20 miles then came on again.

I've checked the levels since & again it's fine, it never drinks any oil & there are no leaks. I did have the sensor changed last year as it was leaking from the seal & I'm wondering if they've used a cheap replacement of maybe the connections are a bit corroded.

I'll get under the car tomorrow & see if there's any obvious reason for the light coming on, if it turns out to be a dodgy sensor it should still be under the garages warranty.

**mozzer99** · 11th September 2010, 21:29

This may not be considered helpful - but I recall some time ago being in car with a mate when the oil light came on. He said it must be faulty light as there was plenty of oil.
It seized 20 minutes later......
I'd fit a pressure gauge (Ebay £15) temporarily and ASAP to find out what's going on

Apart from a faulty switch/sensor the pressure relief valve can be stuck open or just sticking, particularly if the oil hasn't been changed or additives such as stop smoke have been added.
An oil and filter change to a high quality fully synthetic is a good idea.

**Ste** · 11th September 2010, 22:59

Mozzer, the light warning that is coming on is the oil level sensor, NOT the pressure sensor.

If it was the pressure sensor, I would agree it need URGENT attention.

The level sensor can be disconnected at the multi plug if it continually comes on erroneously. You can replace the sensor if you like, or just keep an eye on the level, as you should anyway. I don't check the level in mine, as it doesn't use oil, and there is a sensor fitted anyway.