GSL-SE here. New 13B on the left, old 13B on the right. The wiring diagram says red/orange wire goes to the Oil Level Sensor and I do recall unplugging that connector, but with the new motor the OLS connector doesn't match up. What's up with that?

Is there any difference between the sensors or are they all the same and I can just make my own connector?

 

are they both engines of the same vintage and type? 13B encompasses a lot

 

Supposedly yes. Both 6-port 13Bs built for the 1st gen. The new motor is just a rebuild of the stock with minor mods and a bit of frankensteining. Like for example the front cover is from a 12A and it seems the oil sensor isn't the same as the one I have on the old one, or at least the connector doesn't match up.

Does the new connector look like it's from the wrong year?

 

Can you take the old oil level sender out and use it in the new engine?

 

if not, you can get connectors here: http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/El...onnectors.html

 

I can, but from the looks of it I'd have to lift the motor for the sensor to clear the new crossmember. If there's no difference between the sensors, then it's a lot easier to just jump the two connectors.

 

Maybe somebody had to replace a connector previously due to a broken wire, and used a non-spec connector?

 

That's possible. Actually this can all be sorted if someone just checks the connector they have and tell me. In fact, if you have a second gen check the connector on that one as well. Is it possible that one of the oil level sensors could be from a second gen car?

 

Just to clear it up, the ultimate question is:

Despite the connector mismatch, do both of my sensors send the same signal that would make my oil light function correctly?

 

one connector is for the oil level sender and the other is for an oil temp sender. the oil temp sender is used to actuate the sub zero starting assist.

 

Which one is which?

I don't have an oil temp sender on my old motor, new one has it, but doesn't have a wire.

 

The wiring diagram also contains pix of the connector types, you know.

(I can't check mine for you - - SA's differ.)

 

Yeah, that was the first thing I looked at, and it's kind of ambiguous. In the wiring diagram it looks like the old connector is the right one, but at the same time looking in the manual at the image of the oil level sensor itself it looks like the new connector is the right one, and also Mazdatrix pic looks like the new one. Which is why I'd like someone to just physically look at theirs and tell me what's actually there so I can relax.

 

the second pic with the red rag has the oil level sender wire with connector.

 

It's easy to tell the oil level and temp senders apart. The temp sender screws in, the level sender has 3 bolts attaching it to the pan. CA cars did not have the cold start assist, so it may not have the temp sensor. Don't quote me on the last part about the sensor.

 

Well, the wires in both pics are coming from oil level senders (3-bolt), not from temp senders. Are you saying the connector in the right pic is the correct one, and the connector in the left pic should instead be on the temp sender, but was somehow put onto the oil level sender?

Yeah, it easy to tell them apart, and yes CA cars don't have cold start assist, which leads me to believe my old motor is a CA spec.

 

I would have to double check, but the left connector looks like it might be from an S5 car. Either sensor will work. You can change the connector, change the sensor, or use universal connectors on each end (bullet connectors, GM Weatherpak, etc.).

For the subzero, that is correct on the CA cars. I know they have a different oil pan (without a spot for the sensor) for the CA cars. In fact, for the GSL-SE, Mazdatrix sells both versions, but the CA one is much less expensive.

Kent

 

If you've removed, or don't have have the cold start assist, then all you need to worry about is the oil level sender. Check the FSM wiring diagram for your year and find the correct wire colors for the oil level sender. If the connectors don't match up, then use bullet connectors with the self sealing shrink tube, the more expensive shrink tube, or order a male/female pair of weather tight connectors.

 

Yeah, if you or someone could verify it's from an S5 motor, then that'd be perfect. Making the connection itself is not a problem, just have to be sure the sensor will work. Thanks.

 

If the connector mates up and the wire colors are correct, plug it in. There's no +/- to the wires. When the float on the sensor gets low enough, it completes the circuit, the low oil light should come on and perhaps the screeching warning buzzer. Same one that comes on for low coolant.