low oil level light

My wifes 2000 Grand Prix GT with the 3.8 normally aspirated engines LOW OIL LEVEL light has been coming on almost every day she tells me AFTER the engine gets warmed up. The oil level is NOT low.

Could this just be a malfunctioning light or could it be a serious problem like an oil pump getting ready to go belly up?

The engine sounds fine when the light is on, not like its starving for oil or anything.

Any ideas, and if its just a malfunction of the light whats involved in fixing it.
Is there a sensor or something that would cause this?
Thanks for any help you can give.

Bobby

The low oil level sensor is located on the side of the oil pan. Check the electrical connector to it. If a good connection then maybe a defective sensor. For oil pressure there is the oil pressure light on the IP from the oil pressure sending unit. That appears good so I doubt you have a oil pump issue.

Bnaylor,

Thanks for your reply, I do appreciate it but have one more question.

If I need to change the sensor on the oil pan, is it necessary to drain the pan first or is it high enough on the pan to replace it without draining? I would just look myself but my wife is gone with the car to work.
Or, do you have to remove the pan to replace the sensor?
Thanks again!

Bobby

Good question. You can replace the oil level sensor without removing the oil pan. It is best to drain all the engine oil so you might just consider doing a routine oil and filter change. I believe the sensor is installed at around the three quart level on the oil pan so if filled with 4.5 quarts it will run out of the hole. To start disconnect the battery negative cable. Then jack up one side of the vehicle (front end) so you can get under it and use a jack stand for safety. Remove the electrical connector to the sensor. Can't remember the size wrench you will need off the top of my head but when installing the new sensor torque to a range of 13-20 lb-ft. Installation is reverse of above.

Thanks again for the info.

Funny, the light hasn't come on all day today according to my wife, nor this evening when I was driving it either.
You're right, I may as well change the oil if I need to replace the sensor but the aggravating thing about that is I just changed it less than a thousand miles ago!:rolleyes:

Bobby