CHECK OIL LEVEL on DIC wont go away

Last night when I started my car I noticed that the DIC said to check the oil level so I decided to put some gas into my car so the oil could drain down while I was filling her up. I checked the dipstick and sure enough it was a qt. low so I filled her up to the full line but the DIC still says to check the oil level when ever I start the car up. I have used the reset button to reset all info for the oil, its back to 100% acccording to the DIC but the warning still comes up. I checked my FSM to see if I was clearing it correctly but cant find that info in the books. I thought Id try to trouble shoot the senor on the oil pan to make sure thats not the problem but the FSM just says that its a optical sensor and when it takes a reading, doesnt say anything about trouble shooting it.
Does anyone have any info on this problem? Am I clearing the message correctly, is it covered in the FSM, if so where. Thanks for any help that can be offered!


BKVic

Well since no one here seems to have any answers I did a google search and came up with a thread on the cadillacforum where it seems alot of people over there have been having this problem. Id have to say that simply changing the sensor fixed about 99% of those cases. Ive got another 700 miles before I change my oil next so I guess Ill order the sensor off the discount gm parts website, its $26.90 for genuine ac delco, and replace it when I drain my oil pan to change oil. Hope this helps anyone who developes this problem in the future.


BKVic

my 96 aurora was also doing this for a while... message would come up every time i started it up .. i check the oil and it was quite full.. then when i was under it i noticed that the level controller for the rear air shocks was unhooked.now i notice the pumping of the shocks every once in a while. the warning does't come on any more now that it sits level in the driveway.. ibeen under a few others that have had that level controler reattached with wire or wire ties ...news

Thanks, Ill check that connection the first chance I get.

BKVic

I'm getting a persistant Check Oil level, or Oil Level System fault message. Last week I was driving and smelled smoke. I ended up coming from the steering coloumn, the multifunction switch had burned a tad. I towed it to the shop and they replaced the switch, and since then I've been getting these messages. I've checked the oil and it appears above max. It has persisted for a week and I don't see any other faults. Preasure and temp are both good. I've even got it on the road and driven for an hour or so, no problems. Before I had the car towed I disconnected the positive battery terminal. Anyone have any suggestions?

So, how much oil is actually in there? Could too much oil set it off? Max on the stick is way too much. The early sticks were the wrong length.

GM PART # 25626343
CATEGORY: Engine Oil Level
PACK QTY: 1 CORE CHARGE: $0.00
GM LIST: $76.42
OUR PRICE: $43.56
DESCRIPTION: SENSOR AS

Sensor for my 97 only costs $26.90 for a genuine AC Delco part. Thats a big difference in price form the 96 to the 97.

BKVic

How difficult was it to change the sensor on your '97?

Did your sensor have a different part#, or did you just find a better price? I'm told that this is a dealer only item.

IF I raise the front of the car on a set of ramps - should I be able to reach it w/o any problems?

Any special tools - or will a wrench/socket do the job?

Can I change it without draining the oil - or will everything pour out of the opening during the swap?

And for that matter - is it easy to do the drain and filter - never tried it on this vehicle yet.

Thanks!

I didnt have to replace the sensor because it started working correctly after a few days and a I havent had a problem since. I just changed my oil last friday and looked at it while draining the oil and its really easy to get to. I would drain my oil before removing the sensor as the oil level has to be over the sensor hole in order to work. As to the ease of changing the filter, it couldnt be easier. The filter is right there at the bottom of the engine with nothing in the way. You dont have to worry about oil running down the side of your engine after the filter is removed.


BKVic

Another thought / question.

I see on an earlier post, newscarver mentioned that his automatic leveling system on his '96 was disconnected. Once connected, and vehicle leveled, light never came back on.

My light is intermittent, and I have been trying to determine if it comes on when I am level or on a slope.

Was the auto level system an option - or a standard feature? I have no idea if I have that on my '96 - would be a good thing to check before I invest in a new sensor...

Not sure about the auto leveling being an option or standard but I do know that GM seems to be putting them on a lot of cars. My 92 Pontiac Bonniville SSE had it and my wifes 98 Pontiac Montana has it as well.

Another thing it could be is your oil level. I read where some of the early Aurora had mismarked dipsticks. Im not sure if that was limited to the 95 model year but its another option. The mismarked dipsticks showed the oil leve to be full when it was really at 6 to 6 1/2 quarts.


BKVic