Engine oil pressure sensor.. its function, malfunctions, causes of low oil and its warning lights

Manufacturers designed the car engine with automatic lubrication technology for all its moving parts, so that the oil pressure inside the engine reaches a certain level that differs according to the type and design of the engine, through a submersible oil pump.

The engine oil pressure sensor is placed on the engine body, and its function is to sense the oil pressure, by connecting the electric current to show the oil light in the car dashboard in the event of low levels.

Below we learn about the most prominent cases of engine oil pressure sensor failure, the causes of low oil pressure, and the colors of the warning light:

Malfunctions of the engine oil pressure sensor

It includes a group of different malfunctions, including: “disconnection”, which occurs as a result of the failure to connect electricity to the warning light despite the existence of a problem, and “partial breakdown”, which occurs when the light starts working and stops randomly.

It also includes the failure of the sensor to connect the electric current, so that it lights the oil light permanently even though there is no problem with the oil pump, and it is advised to do immediate maintenance until this deceptive malfunction is addressed.

Reasons for low engine oil pressure

On top of this comes a weakness in the oil pump responsible for circulating oil within the engine, and a blockage in the internal oil filter as a result of sediment, friction products, and poor quality oil.

The pressure level also decreases in the event of oil viscosity, as a result of its non-conformity with the engine specifications, or as a result of the surrounding weather conditions, which prevents it from reaching the precise parts of the engine.

The warning lamp and the colors of the light emanating from it

The appearance of the engine oil warning lamp is one of the most dangerous warning lights that appear on the car dashboard, which requires immediate stopping of the car and turning off the engine, as it indicates a problem in the engine lubrication mechanism that may lead to its complete destruction.

With regard to the oil sensor warning lamp, the oil indicator light appears red in normal mode, but it appears yellow in modern cars as a sign of a non-serious lack of oil, a condition that does not require immediate stopping of the car, but it is advised to quickly check and treat.