Oil Light on Dash

[thenative1]

Morning All,

My ‘97 is running great. One odd thing is that every so often - maybe every 3rd time I drive it - the oil light comes on. It stays on for 5-10 minutes and then goes off. There are absolutely no leaks in the driveway, the oil level is topped off, and both the oil and filter were replaced about two weeks ago. Anyone have experience with this kind of gremlin? Not sure what governs the light coming on - is it s a sensor that could be faulty?

Thanks in advance for any insight(s) you have.

 

[Old Nick]

Morning All,

My ‘97 is running great. One odd thing is that every so often - maybe every 3rd time I drive it - the oil light comes on. It stays on for 5-10 minutes and then goes off. There are absolutely no leaks in the driveway, the oil level is topped off, and both the oil and filter were replaced about two weeks ago. Anyone have experience with this kind of gremlin? Not sure what governs the light coming on - is it s a sensor that could be faulty?

Thanks in advance for any insight(s) you have.

What oil filter did you use for that recent oil change?

 

[thenative1]

What oil filter did you use for that recent oil change?

Toyota/Lexus filter, P/N 90915-YZZD3

 

[jonheld]

Morning All,

My ‘97 is running great. One odd thing is that every so often - maybe every 3rd time I drive it - the oil light comes on. It stays on for 5-10 minutes and then goes off. There are absolutely no leaks in the driveway, the oil level is topped off, and both the oil and filter were replaced about two weeks ago. Anyone have experience with this kind of gremlin? Not sure what governs the light coming on - is it s a sensor that could be faulty?

Thanks in advance for any insight(s) you have.

The only thing that triggers the low oil lamp is the level sensor in the pan.
There are many threads on this.

 

[TXIN]

Maybe check the two wires to the oil level sensor on the driver's side of the upper oil pan. Mine were frayed and I had similar symptoms. The harness was pretty brittle down there.

 

[Kernal]

Did the oil level light start this behavior after the recent oil change or has it been doing this for ?months, years??

On top of checking the condition of the wiring, have you disconnected the harness from the sensor (connectors), cleaned both (using electronics cleaner) and snapped the harness back in place?

How are you checking your oil level ie: cold or hot engine, engine off, parked on a level surface, etc?

 

[Irish Reiver]

I run a thicker oil in mine being in Florida where it's toasty' but I notice when we go on trips to the frozen north that the oil light will come on when the engine is cool. The thicker oil takes a little longer to drain back in to the pan which causes the low level light to trigger. Once the oil is warmed up after a minute or so the issue gone. Maybe the garage who changed the oil used something thicker than normal.

 

[SpenserAK]

As above, check the wiring, and unplug/clean the connector. If that doesn't make a difference, consider cleaning the sensor. I had an intermittent oil light for a while, removed & cleaned the sensor, new o-ring, and it stopped.

 

[thenative1]

Thanks all! Unplugged and cleaned the connector and will wait to see if that resolves the issue. For the next MUD member who comes along, since I couldn't find a good picture/video of the exact location of the sensor, a picture is attached here and a video linked here.

 

[Kernal]

@thenative1 : looks like it may need a new O-ring/gasket and/or the oil pan needs resealing. If it's the original oil level sensor gasket it definitely needs to be replaced.

Easy job, just the four bolts/screws and it lifts out (gently with some adjustment of the orientation as it comes out). Clean that area off before replacing the gasket then you'll be able to see if the leak continues. That would also give you the opportunity to inspect/clean the level with it out in front of you. Be careful handling it, the float can get brittle with age.

Consider ordering new bolts/screws with the gasket for the level sensor as they're the type with a captured split lock washer which IME gets weak (flattened) with age/fatique. IIRC torque to 48 INCH lbs (or just girly snug using a nut driver or short ratchet if you don't have an inch pound torque wrench)


For future searches: FZJ80 oil level sensor gasket screw

Sensor: 89491-60010

Gasket: 90430-27001

Screw: 93382-16014 (4) appears to be the original screw part number but 93385-16014 is a similar 10mm screw with washers (slightly different hex head design) but don't have both in front of me to compare lengths. FWIW

Prior discussion: Oil Level Gasket Replacement - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/oil-level-gasket-replacement.103623/