Can You Still Drive with a Faulty Oil Pressure Sensor?
3 Answers
The most obvious indication of a faulty oil pressure sensor is that the oil warning light will stay on constantly, and you won't be able to monitor the real-time condition of the oil, thus failing to alert the driver promptly. If you continue driving when the oil pressure is too high or the oil level is insufficient, it can cause significant damage to the engine, potentially even leading to complete engine failure. Below is relevant information: Oil Pressure Sensor: The oil pressure sensor MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical-System) refers to a micro-electromechanical system that integrates micro-sensors, actuators, signal processing and control circuits, interface circuits, communication, and power supply. Principle: The oil pressure sensor is installed in the main oil passage of the engine. When the engine is running, the pressure measurement device detects the oil pressure, converts the pressure signal into an electrical signal, and sends it to the signal processing circuit. After voltage and current amplification, the amplified pressure signal is transmitted via the signal line to the oil pressure gauge, altering the current ratio between the two coils inside the gauge to indicate the engine's oil pressure. The amplified pressure signal is also compared with the preset alarm voltage in the alarm circuit. If the signal falls below the alarm voltage, the alarm circuit outputs an alarm signal and illuminates the warning light via the alarm line.
Honestly, can you still drive if the oil pressure sensor is broken? My opinion is absolutely not. If this thing is broken, the oil light on the dashboard might not work or light up, and you won't know the engine's oil pressure status. If you keep driving, and the oil is insufficient or the pressure is low, the internal parts of the engine will grind against each other, leading to overheating in no time, causing damage to components like bearings and valves. The cost could be huge: at best, a few hundred bucks for parts replacement; at worst, the entire engine could be ruined, costing tens of thousands. I have a friend who ignored it and kept driving long-distance with a broken sensor, and the engine ended up completely destroyed—the car was totaled. So, safety first: stop the car, check the oil dipstick to see if there's enough oil, but if it really needs fixing, get it diagnosed by a professional auto repair shop ASAP—don't try to wing it.
Can you drive with a faulty oil pressure sensor? I think it's better not to. From an economic perspective, repairing this sensor doesn't cost much, usually just a few hundred dollars; but if you insist on driving, once the engine is damaged, the repair cost could run into thousands or even tens of thousands. I usually pay attention to costs when driving, and a faulty sensor is just a small warning light, but ignoring it could lead to a major disaster. For example, if there's no warning when the oil pressure is low, excessive engine friction could burn out a bunch of parts, making repairs not only expensive but also causing delays in vehicle use. It's better to stop early, do a simple check on other indicators, such as listening for unusual engine noises or checking if the temperature is too high, and then immediately take it for repairs. Saving money requires rationality—don't lose big money over small issues.
