'04 GP Low Oil Level Light

[terryshrout]

Daughter has '04 GP GT with 3.8L engine. Was home last weekend and low oil level light came on. We checked level and added a quart to bring oil to recommended level. She called yesterday and said that oil level light had come back on. Checked level and it was OK. She reset oil monitor system a couple of times but low oil level light is still on. Just looking for suggestions of where to go next. Thanks in advance for the help

[procaddytech]

There is an oil level sensor that screws into the front side of the oil pan. Check to make sure the connector is plugged in and follow the wires back from the sensor as far as you can see them to make sure they are not broken or damaged. From the outside the sensor looks like a big, tan nut. The connector end may have to be lifted up a bit with a small screwdriver tip to help unplug it. You can unplug the sensor with the engine cold and jump the connecter terminals with something small enough as to not damage the terminals, such as a short length of 18ga. wire with each end stripped. (Never force something into the terminals!) Start the car an see if the message stays off. If so, replace the sensor.

[terryshrout]

Thanks for the suggestion. If jumping terminals shows sensor is bad, how tough is it to replace? Does it just unscrew from the pan with little difficulty or do I have to do something major like unbolt the engine in order to remove oil pan so the sensor can be changed? Thanks in advance for the information. You guys on this site are big time and money savers. I don't mind doing a little grunt work but I'm more of a replacer rather than a diagnostician. I really appreciate the help.

[procaddytech]

It is back in there a few inches. Accessing it from the outside should be fairly easy. It unscrews really easy, esp, with the right size wrench. I think it is 1-1/16" or 1-1/8". It is sealed to the pan with an o-ring so you can remove it with a pair of "Channel Lock" type pliers, just don't squeeze too hard. The only thing that may present a problem is getting it to come all the way out of the hole without hitting anything. I don't think you will have any problem though. Caution: oil will come out of the hole with sensor removed!

[terryshrout]

Thanks for the further clarification. It sounds like I probably need to wait for her to come home so I can make sure I have my tools. I really appreciate the help. Keep up the good work and have a good evening.

[terryshrout]

Well, here it is mid August and this past weekend I did indeed replace the engine low oil level sensor and the low oil level warning is still coming on. I used a genuine GM part. There was no obvious corrosion on the terminal ends and I didn't seen any broken, bare, or frayed wires. Anybody have any suggestions on where to go from here. Thanks in advance for the much appreciated help. You guys have saved me a lot of money the last couple of years diagnosing issues on mine and my daughters GP's. I don't mind the effort or work, I'm just not blessed with all the knowledge necessary, especially on all things electrical.

[Tech II]

Before replacing the sensor, I would have used a jumper wire at the harness connector and drove the vehicle....if the light came back on, then you would have known it was not the sensor....

Not sure if those wires go directly to the I/P.....

[terryshrout]

Hello BNaylor, I disconnected the PCM module as you advised in another thread. Also cleaned and lightly scuffed the contacts in the connector then reconnected it. So far so good, the low oil level warning hasn't come back on. Another job well done. Thanks again for the assistance. This site and all those who contribute their experience and advice are real life (and money) savers.