93 850 GLT, Low Oil Light is On...

BGPKR · Post by **BGPKR** » 21 Apr 2008, 11:37

...but the dipstick shows the crankcase is full.

It will come on about every third time I start the car. I assume this is a bad sensor or something. I know it's full, but It's annoying, but If I start to ignore it it won't be able to warm me of a real oil shortage.

Anyone have any suggestions on what's causing this?
Thanks

Post by **Maxbaby** » 21 Apr 2008, 11:49

It can be many things... What's the mileage of the car? Have you had the vehicle for a long time, in which case, what related repairs have been done? What's the overall condition of the motor? Have you had a compression test done recently?

... If you have a high mileage car, and she's using some oil, it may be time for a thicker oil in the crankcase. If you're using 5W30, move up to 10W30 for instance.

... Have the oil pan o-rings been done? Not uncommon to need to do them. Search around and you'll find a few posts on them.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... hp?p=20460

... Could be an oil pump problem, though unlikely.

... could also be that sensor. Maybe think about replacing it if you're handy. You might at least get under and check that the wiring to the sensor hasn't developed a crack that makes it intermittent.

BGPKR · Post by **BGPKR** » 22 Apr 2008, 05:53

Maxbaby wrote:It can be many things... What's the mileage of the car? Have you had the vehicle for a long time, in which case, what related repairs have been done? What's the overall condition of the motor? Have you had a compression test done recently?

... If you have a high mileage car, and she's using some oil, it may be time for a thicker oil in the crankcase. If you're using 5W30, move up to 10W30 for instance.

... Have the oil pan o-rings been done? Not uncommon to need to do them. Search around and you'll find a few posts on them.
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... hp?p=20460

... Could be an oil pump problem, though unlikely.

... could also be that sensor. Maybe think about replacing it if you're handy. You might at least get under and check that the wiring to the sensor hasn't developed a crack that makes it intermittent.

The car shows 162k right before the odometer gear broke. Actual mileage is closer to 170k, as i'm told from the previous owner. I just purchased it last week. It runs excellent with no oil consumption or leaks, yet... I'm pretty mechanically inclined. I usually do all maintenance and repair on our vehicles. Where is this oil sensor located? I'll take a look. Thanks

Post by **Maxbaby** » 22 Apr 2008, 16:48

I don't know exactly where that sensor would be, but there will only be one of them installed in the engine block. Have a look around when you get a chance. Better yet, download the shop manual pinned at the top of the forum and have a look through there.

... Did you have a mechanical inspection done? More specifically, did you have the compression checked? Did you get a history of repairs from the previous owner? All that good-to-know stuff when trying to determine what the new/used car needs. You'll really want to find out when the timing belt was last done, whether the PCV system has been serviced, and the usual transmission and cooling system changes were performed... These are such great cars but they REALLY require their maintenance. They are not forgiving of those missed items....

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Apr 2008, 17:58

I looked it up on VADIS and it never showed the location. The '93 version was the only one that had an oil level light and VADIS may have recycled the newer diagrams for the '93.

I show a plug and a sealing ring on the far end of the block near the transmission joint, about 1/3 of the way up the block, maybe a tad more, from the bottom. My guess is that is where the oil level sender would go on the '93 since it has no other real purpose other than to leak.

Let us know what you find so that when the next guy asks we can answer authoritatively!

...Lee

Volgrrr · Post by **Volgrrr** » 23 Apr 2008, 00:55

Where is this oil sensor located? I'll take a look. Thanks

Climb underneath your vehicle and have a look up at the side of the engine adjacent to the firewall.

Roughly in the middle there is a sensor fitted which I'm sure is the oil sensor (it is located just above a small earth strap bolted to the engine).

Hope you can find it - good luck.

BGPKR · Post by **BGPKR** » 23 Apr 2008, 06:16

Thanks for all the info. I'm going to tackle a few tasks with this car this weekend. All maintenace was done by the previous owner and the timing belt was done about 15k miles ago. Strange things is I reset the service light and the low oil light has not come on since but i'm going to give it few days before I conclude that the reset fixed the problem. I saw a topic on the PVC on this site and that is one thing that i'm not up to doing.