Oil sensor issue?

[Poe]

Hi everyone,

Sorry to have to have an issue as my first post, however, I’m hoping someone might be able to provide some guidance to my problem.

My car is an ’01, 996 C2, 6 speed, with just over 9k miles and I’m the second owner who is now putting all the mileage on this wonderful car. 3 days ago I did the following basic maintenance: Changed the oil and oil filter using 0w/40 Mobil 1 synthetic, changed the engine air filter with a K&N washable filter, and changed the pollen filter. Everything has been fine until this evening. The problem I have is that after driving for about 15mins first the retractable rear spoiler light comes on and stays on, then a minute or two later the low oil light starts to blink on and off at a slow rate with the alarm bell binging with the low oil light. When the low oil light blinks on the numbers on the dashboard display also blink on and off. The oil pressure is normal (between 3 and 5 bar, occasionally dipping down to 2) and the engine temp is normal too.

So the question I have is, have I dislodged a connector or do I have a faulty sensor that could be causing this? Unfortunately, I don’t have a diagnostic tool to plug in to look at the fault codes yet. Thanks in advance for any suggestions anyone might have. – Chris P

[Izzy]

Hmm, can't thinkof any connectors that would be on the way for an oil change. Have you checked the oil level with the dipstick? I would check the following:

1. Oil cap, remove and reset

2. Oil dip stick, make sure the oil level with the dipstick is good and replace the dipstick tight into place

3. You can drive to an Autozone of similar place, they have the OBDII readers you can borrow and use in their parking lots. Just in case.

4. When you replace the air filter, you probably took out the airbox. Make sure there is nothing loose or knock out with the rear spoiler.

5. You can always disconnect the battery for 5 minutes and reset the system when reconnecting, make sure you have the radio codes.

Otherwise, not much there in the oilchange that would cause this.

Izzy

[viper501]

I assume that you have done a manual check of the oil level using the dipstick. Try checking the oil filter housing as well and give the bottom of the engine a general once-over. FWIW, your K&N filter may cause a CEL as, if overoiled, they can eject oil drops onto the MAF sensor. Congrats on the purchase though. Sounds like you have a great find.

[claudiu]

Whilst I admire you and many others in this forum for the courage and skill to service your own Porsche 911, I can't help thinking that going to a garage saves one a lot of stress (with the exception of the stressful moment of having to pay the bill...)

Claudiu

:renntech:

[Izzy]

Can be true. But for some, like me, I actually find relaxation and stress release with "tinkering" with the car. I can't explain it, but it is soothing to take it appart and put back together, but then I am a mechanical engineer working in a bank, so I may need the hands-on thing.

Sometimes, I end up at the dealer. Sometimes I spend more $$ doing it myself too. But still cheaper than a shrink!

Cheers

Izzy

[Kim]

.....I actually find relaxation and stress release with "tinkering" with the car. I can't explain it, but it is soothing to take it appart and put back together.....

Izzy, I couldn't agree more. One of the reasons I classify myself as a "car guy" is that I like to tinker with / solve problems / perform routine maintenance in almost equal portion to how much I enjoy driving this wonderful car. As cars have become more complex and itegrated chip oriented, this has .... as we all know .... become less and less possible, but RennTech certainly gives me enough information to continue feel a little like the wrench turner I was in my youth .... 40 years ago .... balancing the downdraft SU carbs on my TR3 with a Unisyn.

My previous Porsche, a 928, was like on-going therapy for me. With its central electrical panel looking like a switchboard for an office building .... 40 or so fuses and over a dozen big relays, all in one place with the harness spreading out like a virus .... there was ALWAYS some glitch to trace down, or cool modification to be performed when my imagination ran away with me.

God help me when automobiles advance to the inevitable point that the engines/mechanicals are sealed and accessible only to "authorized" persons.

Kim

2000 Cab

[Poe]

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions everyone.

I checked the oil filler cap and dip stick is correctly seated and every thing seems fine.

The oil level measured at the dipstick with a cold engine is at the max level. The oil measurement shown on the dashboard shows the oil level 2 ticks below the max. again measured with a cold engine.

Driving the car this morning to work everything is running well and no warning lights came on. I did notice the oil pressure gauge to move around far more once everything warmed up. So my problem might have been caused by the filler cap or perhaps once the ambient air temp is higher I might see the problem again once the oil is good an hot. Thanks for the info. About Autozone having OBDII tools you can use, I will probably go to my nearest one this weekend to find out what faults have been logged.

Much like some of the other discussion group members I also don’t really get frustrated by such problems it really is fun solving them and in the process learning more about the P-car. It’s also a good sense of accomplishment to get the maintenance done and done correctly. Also paying $400 for an oil change is just too much against my frugal nature to accept. Thanks again for the advice – Chris P

[viper501]

Pressure gauge should move with RPM once the engine is even remotely warm. Your experience with the electronic level indicator is consistent with mine. I don't know where it measures, or what, but its never right.