Saturn----Low Oil Light

[paxfam1]

Suddenly, my 1997 saturn 130,000 got the low oil light one day, so I checked the oil and oh yea it was low, it took 2 quarts to bring it up to full. about 1000 over oil change, so I changed it. So I have been checking it more often, becuase I dont plan on smoking this engine any time soon.

But now recently I have been getting the low oil light every morning. Seems as if it only does it first start of the day. It blinks off and on until I guess the oil warms up because after like 5 mins of running it turns off and is gone for the rest of the day.

Seems fishy any thoughts?

[PlayStation3]

did you reset the code when you changed your oil. you can do it at home by disconnecting the battery postive for roughly 10 mins or so

[paxfam1]

No, I havent tried that, I will let you no results tomoro? But why would that make the light come on again, and why would it be only first start of the day??

paxfam1

thanks

[PlayStation3]

because it realizes that it is not oil after you start it up

[paxfam1]

What do you mean it relizes its not oil? Could you explain?

Thanks paxfam1

[PlayStation3]

oops i mean not low on oil.

[paxfam1]

I tried the disconnect the batery thing. The smorning it threw the low oil light on again. Any ideas??

P.s. it doesnt come on right at start up, I get about 3 miles down the road, then it comes on for like 10 miles. Then it goes off?

[longhairedg79]

sounds like a sensor is going bad

[paxfam1]

Well, oviously because its not low on oil. But what sensor?

[ricebike]

wait a min... low oil light or low oil pressure light? if it's the latter, you're in trouble if engine's making funny noises too?

oil pressure switch or sender... if the engine's running fine, though.

Under hood, center, lower engine area, mounted on
lower rear of engine; The oil pressure sender is located on the rear of the engine block, between the alternator and the knock sensor

check if the wire to the low pressure switch isn't frayed/ check for continuity to the switch before replacing it...

if you don't have a library nearby, autozone has a free online repair manual for your car... see repair info after you enter your year/make/model/engine...

i'll cut-n-paste an excerpt for ya, just an example:

TESTING

1.

To test the normally closed oil pressure sender, disengage the electrical connector and measure the resistance between the switch terminal (terminal for the wire to the warning lamp) and the metal housing. The ohmmeter should read 0 ohms.
2.

To test the sending unit, measure the resistance between the sender terminal and the metal housing. The ohmmeter should read an open circuit (infinite resistance).
3.

Start the engine.
4.

Once again, test each terminal against the metal housing:
1.

The oil pressure switch terminal-to-housing circuit should read an open circuit, if there is oil pressure present.
2.

The sending unit-to-housing circuit should read between 15-80 ohms, depending on the engine speed, oil temperature and oil viscosity.
5.

To test the oil pressure sender only, rev the engine and watch the ohms reading, which should fluctuate slightly (within the range of 15-80 ohms) as rpm increases.
6.

If the above results were not obtained, replace the sending unit/switch with a new one.


REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figure 1

The oil pressure sender is located in the rear center of the block, facing the firewall. The sender is slightly below and toward the passenger' side of the vehicle from the knock sensor.

1.

Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2.

Detach the sender electrical connector.
3.

Using a 3 inch long wobble drive extension and a 3/4 inch (19mm) crow's foot, carefully loosen and remove the sender from the engine block.

If it is too difficult to access the sender from the engine compartment, raise and support the vehicle safely, then loosen and remove the sender from underneath the vehicle.

To install:

4.

Install the oil pressure sender in the engine block and tighten to 26 ft. lbs. (35 Nm).
5.

Attach the oil pressure sender's electrical connector.
6.

If raised, remove the supports and carefully lower the vehicle.
7.

Connect the negative battery cable.

enjoy! & post an update!

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by PlayStation3

did you reset the code when you changed your oil. you can do it at home by disconnecting the battery postive for roughly 10 mins or so

that is for clearing a Check Engine light when a scantool is not availible, it has nothing to do with the oil light.

i do not beleave any saturn has a low oil level light but if the oil pressure light has been going on and off for the last week, chances are the engine is now dead. if its not, hook up a oil pressure gauge to confirm the pressure is low, if a oil/filter change make no difference, a engine teardown is in order.

[paxfam1]

The engine is still purring like a kitten but im getting the low oil light still..................... Its a picture of the oil pan with just a little oil in the bottom of it. that flashes red for a few mins.

[sierrap615]

i beleave the light you speak of is the low coolant light. the coolant is probilly right at the level of the sensor(in the bottom of the resoivuor) hence when the coolant warm and the level rises due to thermial expanition, it no longer trips the sensor

[saturnspeed_12]

yes, many people confuse the low coolant light for oil. no s-series had an oil level, but ecotecs did.

now yeah maybe try a different oil filter, which have you been using? you can tell if the engine has low to no oil pressure. it will make some nasty ticking and if BAD knocking noises. but ticking noises can come from just dead lifters.

but with the coolant light, you could have a leak. there have been some problems with the light coming on and issues with coolant bottles, and some years radiator leaks. if you get both coolant lights flashing, it could be the coolant temp sensor.

[silverado122775]

add coolant