Honda Oil Pressure Sensor

Description

3 Signs of a Bad Engine Oil Pressure Sensor

Knowing when your car’s oil pressure sensor starts acting up can save you plenty of time, money, and possibly your life.

These warning signs can either indicate that your oil pressure switch needs a replacement or that something is wrong with the parts it’s connected to, like the oil pump, gauge, and filter.

The simplest way to figure out if your oil pressure sensor is in good condition is to look at your car’s dashboard.

Here are three visible warning signs that your oil pressure sensor is faulty:

1. Inaccurate Reading From the Oil Pressure Gauge

The first and obvious sign that your engine oil pressure sensor is not working properly is when the oil pressure gauge gives a wrong reading. A faulty oil sensor is considered a typical cause for incorrect readings.

The gauge pointer corresponds with the oil pressure in the car’s oil pan. When you have a faulty oil pressure sensor, sometimes the pressure gauge pointer will either be stuck at one end, or the oil gauge will only work at irregular intervals.

2. Oil Pressure Warning Light is On or Blinking

Normally, the oil pressure warning light will turn on when your car is running low on fuel, or you have an oil leak.

A faulty oil pressure sensor can falsely trigger a low oil pressure condition, which turns on the oil light. If the oil pressure sending unit is damaged, it can also cause the oil pressure light to blink on and off.

To determine whether the warning light is triggered by actual low oil pressure or a faulty oil pressure switch, your mechanic will check the engine oil level in the oil pan. If the oil level is normal, then there’s a chance that you need to replace the oil pressure sensor.

3. Illuminated Check Engine Light

The check engine light is a warning light that’s turned on when there’s a problem with any engine component. This also includes the engine oil pressure sensor.

The only way to know if a bad oil pressure sensor is the cause is by bringing your car to the mechanic for a check-up. Your mechanic will connect a Diagnostic Trouble Code scanner to the car’s Electronic Control Unit and run a diagnostic scan.