red oil level light

[joedio79]

Oil light after oil change. Replaced oil level sensor. Light went off. Comes on and off now randomly while driving. I can be driving the light comes on, beeps then shuts off in 5 seconds and other times it stays on. Any ideas? 2002 1.8t

[Seerlah]

Search before you f*ck your motor.

[Charles.waite]

That is an oil pressure light not oil level. Do yourself a favor and stop driving your car immediately. Like park it, if you need a car rent one. Highly likely you need the pickup tube replaced and the oil pan cleaned out. If you keep driving, your engine WILL seize and then you're kinda screwed.

[joedio79]

That is an oil pressure light not oil level. Do yourself a favor and stop driving your car immediately. Like park it, if you need a car rent one. Highly likely you need the pickup tube replaced and the oil pan cleaned out. If you keep driving, your engine WILL seize and then you're kinda screwed.

I scanned it and got 00562 Oil Sensor Short to Ground G266

[evolution2147]

I scanned it and got 00562 Oil Sensor Short to Ground G266

I'm a little confused.. The error code you are mentioning is for the yellow light at the top that says MIN or SENSOR, not the red middle light. If you are still getting this error then the sensor must still be bad or the wiring to it is damaged.

The only time the top will display a red icon at the top is of you ignore the warning that is displayed in the middle.

[old guy]

I scanned it and got 00562 Oil Sensor Short to Ground G266

Do not confuse this code with the red "Low Oil Pressure" warning light. The red "Low Oil Pressure" and yellow "Low Oil Level" or "Oil Level Sensor" are totally different warnings that are controlled by two totally separate sensors. The oil level sensor is located in the oil pan. The oil pressure sensor is located on the oil filter housing. If at any time you generated a code for the oil level sensor the code will remain until cleared. That code could be from an event that occurred last year or the year before.

As already pointed out by Seerlah, Charles and Evolution you need to stop driving the car until you get the oil pressure checked out. Here is an outstanding resource to help: Clicky click®

[joedio79]

Do not confuse this code with the red "Low Oil Pressure" warning light. The red "Low Oil Pressure" and yellow "Low Oil Level" or "Oil Level Sensor" are totally different warnings that are controlled by two totally separate sensors. The oil level sensor is located in the oil pan. The oil pressure sensor is located on the oil filter housing. If at any time you generated a code for the oil level sensor the code will remain until cleared. That code could be from an event that occurred last year or the year before.

As already pointed out by Seerlah, Charles and Evolution you need to stop driving the car until you get the oil pressure checked out. Here is an outstanding resource to help: Clicky click®

Now im confused. Im getting a red light. It doesnt say pressue anywhere. When I push the check button it says to shut off car and check engine oil level then restart. Its definetely a red light and comes on and off close 10 times a drive and sometimes doesnt come on for 20 miles

[Let it snow]

I scanned it and got 00562 Oil Sensor Short to Ground G266

As everyone mentioned, stop driving it. I would look to see if the pressure sensor wire above the oil cooler became disconnected during your oil change. Maybe it is floating in the breeze and touching the engine sometimes causing this code/alarm. Or a bad sensor itself. As many have said you need to check the oil pressure and go from there. 6 days with the light on makes me think the wire or sensor is the problem, if not I am surprised the car still runs.

Edit-- I thought it was the pressure sensor code but it is the level sensor. Disregard above statement. Pay no attention to my idiotic post. Move along.

[Seerlah]

I'll help you out before you destroy your motor. The red oil light does have a description...in your owners manual. When you get that light, it says to shut off the car immediately. That red oil light means you don't have adequate oil pressure. Without adequate pressure, parts that are supposed to be lubricated don't have ample oil pressure and flow to it. This can be any journal, from your cylinder head to short block. Without this lubrication, parts run extra hot and dry. Scored parts is one thing but overlooked heat stress is another, which will impact the longevity of parts.

What you do: Stop driving your car before you damage your engine. You now want to assess what is going on. The red oil light means you have inadequate oil pressure. So...let's test your oil pressure to see if it is in spec. You can rent an oil pressure tested free at AutoZone, and Advanced Auto most likely too (free rental. pay deposit, get it back when returned within 90 days or you keep it and you don't get your deposit back). Not in the mood to look it up, but I'm sure proper oil specifications is in the link Old Guy has in his post. Test your oil pressure to see if it's in proper operating range and report back (95% chance it isn't, and the reason you have the red oil level light on your lcd screen).

[Kevin C]

Scenarios:

1: Wrong weight oil
2: Bad pressure sensor
3: Clogged pickup screen
4: Failed / failing engine component

#1 You need to be off quite a bit in oil wt, but it's possible. The hot weight (higher number is what matters). Long term , not a good thing. 0W-20 would be an example of getting the wrong oil.

#2 is the only possibility that does not result in a potential engine damage.

#3 is the most common.

#3 Often leads to #4.

[blitz2190]

so many threads like this, red oil light come on while driving, and for some unknown reason they always follow with it goes on and off if I continue driving(stop it don't ask why just do it, park it now before it cost $$$), you know what thread almost always follows help my engine won't start/turn over.

[joedio79]

The light has come on and stayed on for long periods of time. Ive actually driven it 6 days with that light on. No noises, checked and scoped pan doesnt look bad. It was right after an oil and filter change.

[Charles.waite]

The light has come on and stayed on for long periods of time. Ive actually driven it 6 days with that light on. No noises, checked and scoped pan doesnt look bad. It was right after an oil and filter change.

Seriously. Stop driving your car. We call it the red light of death for a reason.

The users manual has explanations of each warning light FYI. Red lights mean something critical, hence they're red not yellow or green or blue.

Do yourself a favor and park your car until you sort out the oil pressure. 75% change its simply a clogged oil pickup, and then you drop the oil pan, replace the pickup, clean out the probably sludge in the engine, put it all back together and be on your way. (Or spend $800 to have a shop do it)

[joedio79]

Im going to drop the pan but if it was a clogged pickup it should happen all the time not stay off for a 40 mile commute

[Charles.waite]

Im going to drop the pan but if it was a clogged pickup it should happen all the time not stay off for a 40 mile commute

Nope. It could easily be intermittent. Read that thread Old Guy posted above. Your assumptions are going to kill your engine.

[A4SoftWalker]

LOL
The car and the lights in the dash have not changed much in 13 years.
We have an orange oil light and a red one.
Its not like we dont know the difference or havent seen the results of what happens when each one of these lights comes on. Yet folks come on here and continue to 2nd and 3rd guess our advice. Its simple:

Orange oil light - Check engine oil level/related systems out really soon (ONE DAY).
Red oil light - Stop engine ASAP check out the oil related systems AND drop the oil pan.

Either way I see a red oil light my oil pan is coming off for a peek.

[A4SoftWalker]

Think of it as your motor snoring.
Its not gonna do it all night but its a symptom of a clog nonetheless.

[blitz2190]

do you know whats dumber than these "dummy lights"? the person who ignores them.

[joedio79]

I have changed the sensor, the oil filter, and we are dropping the oil pan. Pressure readings aren't bad, we had it at 4k rpms in the shop for over 5 minutes, no noises, no drops etc. Light comes on at 2k rpms only after the car was shut off and turned back on, and if the 2k rpm is maintained for 10 seconds after the light it clears back to normal. Pan is coming down tomorrow and Ill post photos. We video scoped the pan, no signs of sludge or nastiness anywhere. We also ran oil flush through the engine multiple times with filter changes, the light just isn't consistent.

[Seerlah]

And yet, you still didn't post pressure readings.

Pressure readings aren't bad, we had it at 4k rpms in the shop for over 5 minutes, no noises, no drops etc. Light comes on at 2k rpms only after the car was shut off and turned back on, and if the 2k rpm is maintained for 10 seconds after the light it clears back to normal.

Possible low oil pressure due to faulty retaining valve?

[Charles.waite]

If the pressure checks out okay, then I would check the wiring and the sensor.

With the red light of death, you never ever assume its a bad sensor, you always verify pressure first, then start with electrical.

[evolution2147]

you also need to clear your codes and rescan because the G266 sensor is the oil level sensor and has nothing to do with oil pressure.

[joedio79]

Replaced pump and pickup .Oil light still comes on.

[Seerlah]

Look for a short on the wiring for the switch (fix it by whatever way you choose. I would personally cut off the exposed area, strip wire and butt connect with proper gauge butt connectors with properly sized heat shrink tube). Wires are really thin for it. Also look for corrosion at the terminals (clean it if you see it). If you see nothing, replace the switch.

[joedio79]

Switch is brand new

[imnuts]

OEM or aftermarket switch?

Sent from my Nexus 6

[joedio79]

Aftermarket, even with factory switch same exact result

[A4SoftWalker]

Good AND bad news... hmmm

Possibly sludge somewhere else in motor?
What did the pickup filter look like?

Also check the wiring to the sensors for cracking maybe or other damage.
Dont forget the pressure sensor at the oil filter mount housing.

Might have to trace your wiring all the way back to the ECU...
Not fun at all.

[old guy]

When your engine is at idle how much vacuum is on the oil cap when you remove it?

[blitz2190]

You changed the pressure sensor not the level sensor right? A lot of people confuse the two.

[Seerlah]

He also never listed what his oil pressures really were at specific rpm. Also, don't go aftermarket with parts for your car. EBay oem used is a way better option, believe it or not. If going aftermarket, use oem brands like Bosch.

[joedio79]

The level and pressure sensor were replaced. Pickup was gross had silicond on it and small plastic shards .

[joedio79]

When your engine is at idle how much vacuum is on the oil cap when you remove it?

Honestly didnt notice much

[old guy]

Honestly didnt notice much

OK. That eliminates the possibility of the low oil pressure light coming on from excessive vacuum on the block because of a defective block breathing system: Clicky click®

[Seerlah]

Aftermarket pumps fail over time. Did you check oil pressure after pump swap? And you can't go by "I have pressure". There is a spec range. If you are not within it at certain rpms (range changes with rpm, and I don't know the exact limit ranges at a particular rpm. But I do know that it won't trip at idle rpm, even if you had zero oil pressure), you get the red oil light.

[joedio79]

Its tripping the minute its put in drive

[old guy]

Its tripping the minute its put in drive

OK. Back to the block breathers. Take the oil cap off completely and see if it still trips as soon as you put it in drive.

[joedio79]

It didnt do that before new pump

[Seerlah]

What are your oil pressure with engine up to temp at idle and 3000rpm?

And as bad as it sounds, get that aftermarket crap off your car. Used OEm off ebay would have been the way to go if you didnt want to dish out money for a new OEM one. Stock pumps rarely fail. Issue is the pick up tube screen gets clogged.

[blitz2190]

You also didn't answer my post, did you replace the level sensor or the pressure sensor? Your op said level which would explain why it didn't work