Oil level sensor
 

just trying to locate the oil level sensor on a gsl-se. ive got 2 warning lights that dont ever go off after i crank my car, the oil-l light (it used to go off when i first got the car, now it doesnt), and the washer fluid light.


oh yeah, before any of you clowns say it, its not low on oil, lol. I change my oil every 2500 miles or when ive burned off a quart, whichever comes first.

Should be bolted into the oil pan from the side, near the bottom of the sump.

drivers side? ive got a few wires hanging down over there, i guess i must have a loose or rubbed wire. how does it work, (ie, if you ground the wire does the light go off, or does the wire need 12v to turn the light off)

its on the driver's side of the oil pan, closest to the front of the pan, ahead of the oil temp sender (provided you have the federal emissions package)

Sensor is a float. When the level gets too low the circuit closes.

ok, that makes sense. it seems like i started having this problem around the same time i changed the oil, so its probably stuck in the down position. anybody know if the light can be disabled by just grounding the wire?

It's something that you're really better off having working right; a "low oil" condition can kill a rotary dead in minutes.

I agree it would be nice to have it working, however, my predicament is this. I would assume that if its a floater valve being mounted on the side of the pan that 1. it requires draining the oil to repair it, 2. there is a possibility that mine may not simply be repairable, but rather require replacement, 3. that it may require the car to be down for more than a couple hours.

This is my daily driver, and i simply cant have it down overnight. I will do more research into the subject before i decide what do do. Running low on oil is not an issue, I change oil at 2500 miles, monitor oil consumption, check oil every morning, and monitor oil pressure like a sumabitch. Id like to fix it, but i need to do some research into how its mounted, and how its constructed so i know what im in for once i remove it before i start pulling shit off my motor.

I can't speak to the later GSL's, but on the early SA's, the level sensor just screws in from the side. Only prep required to change it is to drain the pan, and find a good sensor, which can be hard for SA's. Don't know the FB's.

I am assuming until i find differently, that the float is simply sticking int he down position. My fuel sending unit does the same thing, sometimes when i fill up the tank it reads empty for a few miles and then the float gets shaken loose and the guage rises.

Judging from the pic here:

http://www.mazdatrix.com/boil2.htm

It would simply come straight out thru the hole. Not a cheap gizmo, though.

The 79-80 sender is different: it's not float-based, but works off oil conduction.

I know this thread is years old, but is the 81-85 oil level sender compatible with the SA? Can't find the SA one anywhere.

fixed for you.

a local 8 owner popped his motor recently when his oil line burst, motor was toast before he could even pull off the highway. seen a few others with similar results.

From pix I've seen, the 81-85 sensor is very different in shape & mounting. You could probably best do the swap by switching oil pans too, but then you have to hope that the electronics monitoring the sensor to switch the light are compatible. They use two different technologies.

Here's some listings for SA oil pans. Maybe give a few of them a call and see if they leave the sensors in the pans when they pull them?? There are a couple listed in new york, not sure how far from you. I have had several parts shipped in from across the country and it's usually pretty reasonable. Good luck with your search.

I tried posting a link, but it wouldn't work so I saved the search in the attached word document....Actually 3 attached word documents because apparently the max upload for .doc files is 100kb :(