Low Oil Light

**Seagya** · 06-11-2009

Ok, I'm trying to figure out why my light keeps coming on. I replaced the oil pan and gasket about 6 months ago and at that time I broke the sensor in the oil pan. So i just put the sensor that came with my oil pan from a parts deal back in. The whole time the light was on and i figured it was a junk sensor. So after a few months i bought a GM sensor through GMPartsDirect and it was fine until a month ago. It now comes back on all the time.....EXCEPT if i get in the car. turn the key on (dont start it) and turn it off , and then start the car. If i do that the light never comes on. I've put alot of time into fixing this car and this is driving me mad... Can anybody help? Its a 2002 Grand Prix 3.8 N/A auto.

**blueguy** · 06-11-2009

Bad ground or wiring somewhere I bet...

**minichopper6hp** · 06-11-2009

disconnect the damn thing its useless

**blueguy** · 06-11-2009

Honestly...I'd want to know if my oil pressure is low...

**minichopper6hp** · 06-11-2009

first off, hes talking about oil level. if you dont know how to check your oil every now and then, the hell with you. second, the oil pressure sending unit kicks the light on at 5psi, which at that point, your motor is gone. thats to say if it even works at all, in my case it never came on, motor gone.

**blueguy** · 06-11-2009

Originally Posted by minichopper6hp

first off, hes talking about oil level. if you dont know how to check your oil every now and then, the hell with you. second, the oil pressure sending unit kicks the light on at 5psi, which at that point, your motor is gone. thats to say if it even works at all, in my case it never came on, motor gone.

Whoa there killer...have a bad day? I was just stating it is always nice to have a little extra reassurance even if it doesn't help THAT much...

**Bio248** · 06-11-2009

Originally Posted by minichopper6hp

first off, hes talking about oil level. if you dont know how to check your oil every now and then, the hell with you. second, the oil pressure sending unit kicks the light on at 5psi, which at that point, your motor is gone. thats to say if it even works at all, in my case it never came on, motor gone.

prove it. i consitantly see 8-9 psi on my car when it is hot right now. she is still kickin strong.

**blueguy** · 06-11-2009

Originally Posted by Bio248

prove it. i consitantly see 8-9 psi on my car when it is hot right now. she is still kickin strong.

I've got 0 and it runs

LMAO!!

**Seagya** · 06-12-2009

I don’t want to disconnect it. If I wanted to do that why would I purchase a new unit from GM.? I know how to change my oil but if something went wrong and I started to lose oil faster than usual I would like to know it. My question was to find out if anybody else is had this issue or at least SOME help on fixing it. I find that Mini's comments useless, so unless you have some helpful advice please refrain from even commenting.

**minichopper6hp** · 06-12-2009

Originally Posted by Bio248

prove it. i consitantly see 8-9 psi on my car when it is hot right now. she is still kickin strong.

there is something wrong with your oiling system as already stated. i stated the specs already, not going there again.

**minichopper6hp** · 06-12-2009

heres a useful hint, install a manual gauge. that will accomplish two things, oil level, oil pressure.

**Seagya** · 06-12-2009

Originally Posted by minichopper6hp

heres a useful hint, install a manual gauge. that will accomplish two things, oil level, oil pressure.

And how will a oil gauge tell me that my oil is low? It will show a differance in pressure if the oil pump runs dry or near dry but it wont as long as there is oil in the system.

**Zef_66** · 06-12-2009

Originally Posted by Seagya

And how will a oil gauge tell me that my oil is low? It will show a differance in pressure if the oil pump runs dry or near dry but it wont as long as there is oil in the system.

Does anyone know how low the oil has to be before it trips the light on? I never really heard for sure.

I thought I heard/read once that it came on when there was only 2.5 quarts left, and you were basically ruining your engine. But can't remember for sure if it was the 3800 or not.

**minichopper6hp** · 06-12-2009

well, since no one here values my opinion and just wants to fix a dummy light, find the problem with the circuit. diagnosis. generally not something done without looking at the vehicle. at any rate, an oil pressure gauge can tell alot, for instance, the less oil you have, the hotter it gets, the lower the viscosity, the lower your oil pressure. but dont take my word for it

**Bio248** · 06-12-2009

i changed my oil and filter today. didnt drive for long but the lowest i saw was 25 psi. my filter was old because i remember the last time i switched oil that i couldnt get it off. used some muscles and got it off this time.

**Seagya** · 06-13-2009

Mini,

I don't discount anybody unless they do not contribute to my question. I understand your explination on the oil being low, getting hot, causing low pressure. But I would like everything on my car to work as it should. I can tell you i'm not an amature and have fixed a few complex issues with this car. The worst being the Pressure sensor in the transmission. Im just looking for a good place to start to try and fix the problem.