tester123

Hello,

Recently changed oil and filter as regular maintenance and drove over 1000+ miles without any issues. Yesterday, 1 hour into a long drive (350+ miles), Oil warning light came on in Center instrumentation display. It is the Oil (pan like) Icon with drops animation. It is blinking icon/animation with a 3 long beeps.

Pulled over and checked the level and it is fine. Checked for leaks and not a drop of oil anywhere. Drove for a while and light comes on again - checked level, it is good. After multiple stops due to the warning light, I checked over and over to make sure Oil level is not dropping and it is perfectly in middle of dipstick measure. Check with VCDS and no Engine fault codes.

Checked oil level when engine is running and level drops -indicating that the oil pump is working. Check oil level when engine off, level comes to normal on dipstick. Oil temperature is normal and stays there. So, the thermal sensor & gauge are working.

Ignored the warning and drove home. Let it sit overnight and checked level and it is still perfect. Went to get gas and warning light comes on again.

Is it bad thermal/level sensor or bad oil pressure sensor? Haven't had a chance to troubleshoot electrical/sensor yet.

uberwgn

The sensors do fail, tester.

georgeb944

Check your owners manual for the precise meaning of the indicator. The color (amber or red) is also part of the indication.

That said, it is most likely the sensor...

Prospeeder

Is this a Yellow oil level, or Red oil Pressure? If its the yellow oil level, just try replacing the sensor. If its the Red oil pressure, remove the oil pan right away and check for any junk in the pickup tube for the oil pump. Its a large screen, with only a half dollar size hole, and tons of junk packs up in the surrounding areas decreasing oil volume and pressure. I have seen this quite a few times on 2.8 and 3.0.

BernieBenz

FIRST, reset the AutoCheck system!!!!!!
quattroworld.com Forums: "been showing the ABS symbol/yellow color" As I've posted before, First, reset the Auto Check

quattroworld.com Forums: How to reset the yellow light (priority 2) symbols in the instrument cluster Auto-Check Display.

tester123

I should've mentioned it is RED animated icon. Checking Owners manual, it says blinking warning with 3 beeps is a "high priority" warning and vehicle should not be operated. It indicates low oil pressure. Apparently, there is a different icon (same as oil pan but with "sensor" written below) to indicate sensor failure -as per the owner's manual.

Apart from sludge (which I cannot imagine as I performed all oil changes every 3.5k miles or less with new OEM filters and always 5w-30 Mobile 1 synthetic for the past 8+ years I own the car), what would cause the oil pump to fail -if it is the pump?

georgeb944

It's probably the oil pressure sensor, the part number seems to be 06A919081J, and is pretty cheap. It is located on the oil filter housing, driver side behind the oil filter.

If it were your oil pump, you would have other symptoms (loud noises, seized engine, broken parts, etc.)

tester123

This is my strong opinion as well. Warning/beeps do not seem to be consistent. Last couple of days no warning light during the same drive(s). Oil temps were at normal operating range etc. This morning engine is just a little warm, indicator blinked with beeps. After that nothing. Returning back no warning etc. Engine continues to run smooth as butter without any clunking or any noises - same as when the issue was found during that long drive.

Thank you for the part number! I'll look in repair manual to see the exact location. Mine is 4.2 engine and oil filter is on passenger side.

I am assuming oil should be drained to change the sensor... right?

tester123

Yes they do.
I am one of those who measure twice and cut once - I try to find the exact faulty component and replace it instead of changing parts until problem is found...

i.e. check fuel bank thread in my sig., drove with that issue for a long time until I "understood" the actual problem/component, replaced it and never had that come back again.

Cody_V

Hi check your air Hoses off of your turbo. If it said your oil is leaking and it's not it's going somewhere. The seals in a turbo go with time then oil with go through the gap into the intercoolers ect causing u to burn rich at the pipes as well u might be able to tell with black residue at the pipes. I had the same problem good luck either way