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sidney485
User
Jul 4, 2008, 8:54 AM
Post #1 of 8
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Where is the oil sending unit located on my Lumina LTZ 3800 engine (low oil light/and or/oil presure) The car is equiped with a light that reads LOW OIL and does read oil level when not running. " If the LOW OIL light on the instrument panel comes on, it means you need to check your oil level right away." this is from the Lumina owner's manual.
(This post was edited by sidney485 on Jul 4, 2008, 9:59 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 6, 2008, 4:00 PM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: oil sending unit
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Question: Does light stay lit with engine running? If it's on with engine off it could just be in "bulb check" mode if key is on with engine off,
T
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sidney485
User
Jul 6, 2008, 8:57 PM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: oil sending unit
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I found the location of sending unit and disconnected it. Started the engine and the light was off, I then replaced the unit and ran the engine and the light came on. Now I am leaving the car in the hands of my grown daughter(21) while I am out of town and think the problem is fixed, THANK you FOR your time.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 7, 2008, 1:32 AM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: oil sending unit
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HOLD ON!! If that light is telling you "Low oil Pressure" you can't ignore it! If you replaced that switch and it's still on then get it mechanically pressure checked at once - even tow it if needed!
If a failed "oil level" check light fine if you know it's properly full enough. Low pressure can be oil pump or lack of oil to pump and will kill the engine in no time if it's warning is correct!
T
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sidney485
User
Jul 7, 2008, 7:48 AM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: oil sending unit
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The light was off after plugging it back in (the lead) and running the car, taking it for a test ride several miles. The strange thing is I have now put a couple thousand miles on the car since the light started coming on. The light would come on after driving a tenth of a mile or so and remain on unless I shut off the ignition and re-started it then NO PROBLEM any speed or distance no light. Later when restarting and driving the same thing often would occur (but not everytime)....anyway I think it's fixed. Thank You again./will post if it happens again and check or have pressure tested. Sid
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 7, 2008, 8:28 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: oil sending unit
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Ok: You seem to understand the ramifications of this. I worry that as this is archived that folks reading the thread take this seriously.
Not sure but I think "Low Oil Level" sensers are separate from the "Pressure Sensor(s)" .. My own cars are separate. On my own and others I purposely fill them when a change is due one full quart low to see if the warning even works. Many don't at just one quart and will at about 1.5 quart low. I don't like trusting little devices for such an important thing and all suggestions are to check oil by the dipstick with regularity.
Happy and safe motoring to you,
T
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TGMcCallie
User
Jul 12, 2008, 8:20 PM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: oil sending unit
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I too don' t trust oil sensers and this is why. My wife's 2001 Cadillac Deville is the only one out of 5 that we have owned that uses a little bit of oil. I have found out that this is a mfg defect in this year model. Something about the oil rings not wiping the oil properly and letting it by the rings etc. Anyway it does not use more than 1 quart every 2 months.
After we bought the car and had it for approx 4 to 5 months her oil light came on. We immediately stopped and checked the oil and it was around 2 quarts low. I had to add a different brand of oil other than what I had used in the auto. I always use Mobile 1 10/30 Synthethic oil in all my vehicles. After that you had better believe I check my oil about twice a month by dip stick method.
It was after this happened that I found out about the defect in this model from auto forums. I took the automobile back to the dealer as it was under warranty. They said that the oil was such a small consumption and would not be covered under the new car warranty but did agree to overhauling the engine. I should have insisted on a new vehicle as I certinally was not going to let them do a motor overhaul to correct the problem.
I am telling viewers this only to stress the importance of checking the oil regularly by visually looking at the dip stick.
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sidney485
User
Jul 15, 2008, 5:45 PM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: oil sending unit
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Tom you are correct! The sending unit I bought and replaced was the pressure sender unit. My mistake it did not correct the problem, funny thing,that light,it/went off EVERY time I restarted the engine/ the problem has now been located and fixed. The pressure sending unit was next to the oil filter, the other sending units you speak of are in front of the engine. The culprit was a bare wire and a severed wire, pinched between the block and a airconditioning tube that was pushed back in the accident a yr and a half ago! There seems to be two units in the front besides the one I unnecessarily changed, oh well it's called education and not at a bad price . Thanks all for your responce!
(This post was edited by sidney485 on Jul 15, 2008, 5:49 PM)
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