Oil level gauge not working?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Kent, England
Oil level gauge not working?
Can anybody help me out? This gauge has shown no reaction at all since i've had the car (3-4 weeks), no matter how long the journey or how fast i drive. The needle just sits at the bottom.
I presume this means it doesnt work. Is the gauge run off a certain fuse? could it have a faulty earth (though would have thought that would result in an erratic needle?), or does it mean the oil sender unit is snaffu'd ?
I presume this means it doesnt work. Is the gauge run off a certain fuse? could it have a faulty earth (though would have thought that would result in an erratic needle?), or does it mean the oil sender unit is snaffu'd ?
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 25
From: colchester UK
Silly question, but you have checked the oil level via the dipstick???
At least that way you'll know that you have oil to check........it can be lowish and not show on the gauge, takes about 2 odd litres to get to show from just being off the gauge.
Thats why I ask if you know it has enough oil via the dipstick first.
Kevin
At least that way you'll know that you have oil to check........it can be lowish and not show on the gauge, takes about 2 odd litres to get to show from just being off the gauge.
Thats why I ask if you know it has enough oil via the dipstick first.
Kevin
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Cobham, Surrey, England,
Hi, welcome. A common question, I understand. The engine has a 'dry sump' and as such, the guage will only record the oil level when the engine is at opperating temperature, ie/ the needle is above the first segment.
Always best to check after a 'spirited' run, and for accuracy, use the dip stick.
As you are local, why not join us on 21st, we are having a breakfast meet at my pub, details from the SE meeting link.
best wishes. R
Always best to check after a 'spirited' run, and for accuracy, use the dip stick.
As you are local, why not join us on 21st, we are having a breakfast meet at my pub, details from the SE meeting link.
best wishes. R
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 25
From: NY, USA
The oil level gauge only reads when the car is warm and idling. You'll want it to be really warm, thus the reference to a spirited drive. Then let it idle for about a minute and, assuming you have enough oil, the gauge will begin to register.
If the gauge is working you'll want to have it run up to about 3 o'clock (mid way) and not any higher. If you put too much oil in then there is a good chance that you'll end up fouling your Idle Stability Valve (ISV) which will require removing it and cleaning it. An easy job, really, but also easily avoided.
Try reading the dipstick in the engine compartment. Same thing as the gauge, you'll want the car nice and warm and idling for a while before checking the stick. Note that some folks swear by the stick and completely ignore the gauge. Others simply can't get a valid reading off the stick and go entirely by the gauge. Still, others use both. I tend to check both and have only recently figured out a method for reading the stick. In my car I need to pull the stick, clean it, then replace it and re-pull it pretty quickly. If I let it sit in the tank for too long I simply can not get a reading on it. The whole of the stick gets smeared in oil.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Dave
If the gauge is working you'll want to have it run up to about 3 o'clock (mid way) and not any higher. If you put too much oil in then there is a good chance that you'll end up fouling your Idle Stability Valve (ISV) which will require removing it and cleaning it. An easy job, really, but also easily avoided.
Try reading the dipstick in the engine compartment. Same thing as the gauge, you'll want the car nice and warm and idling for a while before checking the stick. Note that some folks swear by the stick and completely ignore the gauge. Others simply can't get a valid reading off the stick and go entirely by the gauge. Still, others use both. I tend to check both and have only recently figured out a method for reading the stick. In my car I need to pull the stick, clean it, then replace it and re-pull it pretty quickly. If I let it sit in the tank for too long I simply can not get a reading on it. The whole of the stick gets smeared in oil.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Dave
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Kent, England
Thanks guys, i have checked the guage on 'spirited' runs and the needle has never moved, hence leading me to believe the fault lies with the guage itself or its wiring/sender....or more worrying now, a lack of oil !?
Tried checking the dipstick at the weekend without much joy, half hour after a 40 minute drive and whilst ticking over on flat (ish) ground. I put a pint in just for safe measure as i was worried about over-filling after reading many posts on here.
Got me worried now!
May try and make that 21st meet if i can, lifes hectic at the moment ! Always good to pick up some pointers from fellow owners.
Tried checking the dipstick at the weekend without much joy, half hour after a 40 minute drive and whilst ticking over on flat (ish) ground. I put a pint in just for safe measure as i was worried about over-filling after reading many posts on here.
Got me worried now!
May try and make that 21st meet if i can, lifes hectic at the moment ! Always good to pick up some pointers from fellow owners.
Burgled
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 22,383
Likes: 16
From: Altamonte Springs, Fl/Gwynns Island, Va.
the guage will read empty on a "spirited" run. You must be fully heated and termo opened, and parked on a flat surface with the engine at idle for 30+ seconds
Trending Topics
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,033
Likes: 26
From: Philly Area ----- George Washington took a dump in my backyard!
Originally Posted by Mjonzo
Thanks guys, i have checked the guage on 'spirited' runs and the needle has never moved, hence leading me to believe the fault lies with the guage itself or its wiring/sender....or more worrying now, a lack of oil !?
Tried checking the dipstick at the weekend without much joy, half hour after a 40 minute drive and whilst ticking over on flat (ish) ground. I put a pint in just for safe measure as i was worried about over-filling after reading many posts on here.
Got me worried now!
May try and make that 21st meet if i can, lifes hectic at the moment ! Always good to pick up some pointers from fellow owners.
Tried checking the dipstick at the weekend without much joy, half hour after a 40 minute drive and whilst ticking over on flat (ish) ground. I put a pint in just for safe measure as i was worried about over-filling after reading many posts on here.
Got me worried now!
May try and make that 21st meet if i can, lifes hectic at the moment ! Always good to pick up some pointers from fellow owners.
Warm up the oil as described, park on a level surface and while the engine is running, check the dipstick. It will probably show LOW, so slowly add the oil and watch the gauge through the rear window. Keep checking the level with the dipstick. When it indicates the correct amount (level), then you can verify that the gauge is faulty.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Verdad Gallardo
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Verdad Gallardo
6 Convertible Top MYTHS Most People Don't Understand!
Michael S. Palmer
2026 Porsche 911 Club Coupe is Spectacular, And Everything Wrong with the Porsche Market
Joe Kucinski
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Verdad Gallardo
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Kent, England
Thanks guys, did a 15 minute run, parked on a flat surface and re-checked the dipstick, it was showing oil level at mid way between high and low marks on the stick. I put a pint of oil in for good measure.
Just read the post about checking the gauge through the rear window, so will try that tonight. I didnt realise the needle is only supposed to move whilst ticking over on a flat surface.
Just read the post about checking the gauge through the rear window, so will try that tonight. I didnt realise the needle is only supposed to move whilst ticking over on a flat surface.
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Perthshire,Scotland
hi...
had the same problem a few weeks ago........needle was pegged to the bottom of the gauge all the time.....oil level was fine...........a new oil level sender gauge unit solved the problem...picked one up from eurocar parts here in the UK
steve
had the same problem a few weeks ago........needle was pegged to the bottom of the gauge all the time.....oil level was fine...........a new oil level sender gauge unit solved the problem...picked one up from eurocar parts here in the UK
steve
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by Mjonzo
Thanks guys, did a 15 minute run, parked on a flat surface and re-checked the dipstick, it was showing oil level at mid way between high and low marks on the stick. I put a pint of oil in for good measure.
Just read the post about checking the gauge through the rear window, so will try that tonight. I didnt realise the needle is only supposed to move whilst ticking over on a flat surface.
Just read the post about checking the gauge through the rear window, so will try that tonight. I didnt realise the needle is only supposed to move whilst ticking over on a flat surface.
Super Duper Moderator
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,773
Likes: 21
From: YQU
While a defective gauge will usually peg to the top of the scale, like Steve's mine sat at the bottom despite having the right oil level.
After 1 hour sender swap (most of the time spent getting gunk off the oil tank) all is good now so, if you are certain your oil level is okay, the sender might be defective.
Marc
p.s. Before you swap the sender though, try cleaning the contacts on the back of the gauge using a pencil eraser -- it just might work.
After 1 hour sender swap (most of the time spent getting gunk off the oil tank) all is good now so, if you are certain your oil level is okay, the sender might be defective.
Marc
p.s. Before you swap the sender though, try cleaning the contacts on the back of the gauge using a pencil eraser -- it just might work.
