What Causes an Oil Sensor Malfunction?
3 Answers
The causes of oil sensor malfunction are: 1. Insufficient engine oil level; 2. Dirty or viscous engine oil; 3. Overly thin oil or excessively high engine temperature; 4. Oil pipe leakage; 5. Incorrect opening pressure setting of the bypass valve (either too high or too low); 6. Faulty oil pressure sensor, pressure gauge, or electrical circuit; 7. Weak spring, sticking, or ball damage in the pressure relief valve or pressure limiting valve. Solutions for oil sensor malfunction include: 1. Topping up engine oil; 2. Replacing with higher-quality oil; 3. Inspecting and repairing the cooling system and oil pipes; 4. Replacing the pressure limiting valve. The oil sensor is a device that monitors the oil pressure in a vehicle's engine, and the data it collects aids in maintaining proper engine operation.
If the oil light comes on while driving, it's likely an issue with the oil sensor. The oil sensor monitors the engine oil condition, and when it fails, the warning light on the dashboard will illuminate. Common causes include aging or moisture corrosion of the sensor itself, loose wiring or short circuits, or impurities in the oil causing inaccurate sensor readings. This is no small matter, as false alarms might make you think the oil level is sufficient, leading to severe internal engine wear or even burnout, which can be costly to repair. I recommend first stopping to check the actual oil level by pulling out the dipstick. If the oil level is normal but the light remains on, it's probably a sensor malfunction. Then, drive to a repair shop as soon as possible to have them check the sensor signal with a diagnostic tool—don't push it on long trips. During regular maintenance, also pay attention to cleaning around the sensor to avoid oil buildup. If addressed early, this issue isn’t a big deal.
Having driven for many years, I've found that oil sensor failures are not uncommon. Its primary function is to monitor oil level or pressure, and when faulty, it may illuminate the warning light without reason or fail to light up at all, leading to misjudgment. The cause could be as simple as a loose sensor connection causing poor contact, or wiring chewed through by rodents; more complex issues include internal circuit burnout due to unstable voltage or high-temperature environmental effects. The most frustrating aspect is its potential to mislead operations—for instance, a constantly lit light might prompt frequent oil top-ups, disrupting engine balance, or a non-functioning light could cause one to overlook genuine oil shortage risks. I once encountered a situation where the red light came on; my first step was to restart the vehicle to see if the light would go away. If it didn't, I didn't hesitate to head straight to the 4S store. They can quickly diagnose whether the sensor itself is faulty or if there are issues with related components like the oil pump. In short, safety comes first—don't gamble with it. Before getting it checked, try to minimize short-distance driving.
