Is engine oil level sensor broken?

[jac]

Hi folks,

I have a pretty bad leak in the engine oil system, I am sure it is the oil pan gasket (I have a separate thread going for that...)

Anyhow, as the engine oil leaks out, I sometimes forget about the leak and then I remember that I have to put more oil in the car. Everytime I do this, the dipstick comes out completely dry, but yet the Low Engine Oil light in the dashboard is NOT lit up. So, I think the sensor is broken.

However, the other day, as I was finished with the oil change, I removed the metal splash guard and disconnected the electrical plug to the engine oil level sensor.

I started the car and let it run for a bit, but the low oil light still did NOT light up. Should the light have come on? How do you troubleshoot the issue? I would like to simulate a low engine oil condition and see if the light comes on. Anyone know if that can be done by shorting the leads on the plug that goes to the oil level sensor? Which leads should be shortened? My voltmeter reads a voltage on at least two of those leads when the engine is running.

FYI, the dashboard light bulb is not out (I can see it light up during the self check when you make that first turn of the key).

Thanks!