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!

[cn90]

The Oil Level Sensor is cheap and goes bad all the time. I'd replace it.

Since you are having an oil leak, nothing beats the old-fashioned check of the dipstick at every fill-up.

[jac]

Yeah, trouble is neither my wife or I can remember to do it! I am kind of just wanting a little extra help in reminding me (as if the oil on that cardboard in the garage weren't enough!!!)...

[chrispitude]

Our 2003 X3 is doing the same thing. The dipstick is dry; adding a quart barely brings the level to the tip of the dipstick (well below the "low" end of the range).

I too would like to know where on the dipstick the level sensor *should* be tripping.

[jac]

The sensor is replaced and now the light comes on when the oil is down to 1 qt, which is when the dip stick comes out dry.

[g300d]

Misread and edited.

The level sensor lights up when you are 2 quarts down from full IIRC.