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Failure Oil Level Indicator Message

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Old 01-31-2019, 06:53 PM
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ipman
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Default Failure Oil Level Indicator Message

I am getting this error message. I replaced the oil level sensor last night using a new OEM unit. Today, the warning is still being thrown, so I suspect it's something else. Anyone have this happen before and if so, how did you fix it? Fortunately, the oil was just changed 1000 miles ago so I know the level is good.


Old 01-31-2019, 07:04 PM
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mffarrell
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Does the warning happen all the time or is it intermittent?
Old 01-31-2019, 07:07 PM
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History, I purchased it this past weekend, the PPI found it. Discussed with the tech who thought it was the sensor but none available to install. An oil change was done to ensure proper oil was in the engine and I drove it back 1000 miles. So from my perspective it has happened continuously.
Old 01-31-2019, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by ipman
History, I purchased it this past weekend, the PPI found it. Discussed with the tech who thought it was the sensor but none available to install. An oil change was done to ensure proper oil was in the engine and I drove it back 1000 miles. So from my perspective it has happened continuously.
So, is the warning indicator in on all the time? Usually when the sensor fails you get intermittent warnings.
Old 01-31-2019, 07:37 PM
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No I can dismiss it and it won't come back until I restart the car and it reaches operating temperature.
Old 01-31-2019, 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by ipman
No I can dismiss it and it won't come back until I restart the car and it reaches operating temperature.
It sounds to me like there is an issue with the oil level measurement electronics within the instrument cluster, assuming your new sensor is not defective.
Old 01-31-2019, 08:01 PM
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OK, thanks I can test the resistance on the one I pulled, but unsure of what it should be. Does anyone know?
Old 01-31-2019, 08:16 PM
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It is a problem with the electronics in the cluster. It is a known fault on a small number of cars. The cluster will need to be sent out for repair. I think California speedometer can fix it. Others may known a better place.
Old 01-31-2019, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Carlo_Carrera
It is a problem with the electronics in the cluster. It is a known fault on a small number of cars. The cluster will need to be sent out for repair. I think California speedometer can fix it. Others may known a better place.
North HollywoodTach (818) 761-5137 like Carlo mentioned it's most likely in the cluster I had the same issue and had it sent out to this place for $750 they replaced the cluster computer board. Takes about 15 minutes to remove the cluster and then ship it was a round a seven day turnaround time.
Old 01-31-2019, 11:06 PM
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I appreciate this info. How did you diagnose it? I don't want to just throw money at parts to try and fix it, I rather know it is the problem. And how does it know the sender fails, even though it's good?
Old 02-01-2019, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by ipman
I appreciate this info. How did you diagnose it? I don't want to just throw money at parts to try and fix it, I rather know it is the problem.
The only way I aware of checking the oil level system is to have a dealer hook it up to their diagnostic computer.


Originally Posted by ipman
And how does it know the sender fails, even though it's good?
Te sender isn't the problem. The computer in the dash cluster is malfunctioning and unable to interpret the signal the level sender is sending it so the cluster throws the error message.

Last edited by Carlo_Carrera; 02-03-2019 at 11:36 AM.
Old 02-02-2019, 11:10 PM
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[QUOTE=Carlo_Carrera;15609727]The only way I aware of checking oil level the system is to have a dealer hook it up to their diagnostic computer.

I have the optional dipstick on my engine which I can use to cross check the digital read out. The dipstick parts are cheap and It's also nice to have in case of an electronic glitch like the OP has.

Old 02-03-2019, 01:16 AM
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Carlo- I can buy into that, it makes sense.

For the dipstick, how reliable is that compared to the digital? When do you take it, when the engine is cold or hot but off? Are there markings on it and are they accurate? I’d like to do the dipstick if so.
Old 02-03-2019, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by ipman
Carlo- I can buy into that, it makes sense.

For the dipstick, how reliable is that compared to the digital? When do you take it, when the engine is cold or hot but off? Are there markings on it and are they accurate? I’d like to do the dipstick if so.
The dipstick is 100% accurate. You check the level when the engine is completely warmed up.

There was an old thread here about doing the conversion. Basically you install a the oil filler tube and dip stick from a 996 GT3.
Old 02-03-2019, 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by ipman
For the dipstick, how reliable is that compared to the digital? When do you take it, when the engine is cold or hot but off? Are there markings on it and are they accurate? I’d like to do the dipstick if so.
The engine has to be warmed up and running to take a measurement with the dipstick, same as with the electronic gauge. The dipstick has 3 lines on it and will show between the low and middle mark when the electronic gauge shows full. I rarely ever use it but it is a nice thing to have for redundancy to back up the electronic gauge in case of failure. The dipsticks cam standard on all 996Cups as well as the early production 996GT3s. The later GT3s only have the electronic gauge.


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