VW Passatt oil light problem

[davey_browning]

For the past couple of weeks I've been having a problem with my oil light (wee symbol of an redish oil can) coming on every 2 or 3 days on the way to work. It beeps, comes on, flashes and then goes off about 5 to 10 seconds later. The first time I stopped and put more oil in but it came back on a few days later. I have checked the oil level and it seems to be just about at the max.

It only seems to happen on the way to work in the morning. It usually happens within about 3 miles (7 or 8 minutes) of the house. It hasn't happened yet on the way home. I did an 80 mile round trip at the weekend and not a sign of it.

Any thoughts?? The car is a 97 R plate, newer shape 1.8 Petrol Passatt with 93000 on the clock.

Cheers

[nej]

Probably just a sensor, but always worth checking these things out.

First step - DO NOT GO TO THE DEALER!

Second step - you need a VAG-COM. This is a little cable that plugs into your car and then into a laptop. You can then download some free software that will read the error codes out of your car and will tell you exactly what is wrong. The cable can be bought for about £15 from Ebay. If you haven't got a laptop then you can buy a fault-code reader from Halfords for about £25 (I think). This is a little unit that does the same job basically (but not quite as feature-full).

If you can't get one of these, or don't want to buy one, you could try asking on one of the VW or Passat forums (just Google it).

Alternatively if you are anywhere near Sutton in Surrey then I've got one and would be willing to plug it into your car if you can get it too me.

[davey_browning]

Brilliant, cheers, I'll see about getting one of the cables. I'm in Glasgow so think it would be cheaper to get the cable than come and see you! Thanks though. I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers again.

[trigger_mike]

if i was to quess though i would of said an sensor on the engine is on the way out, quite common though

[davey_browning]

What sort of money am I looking at for that?

[trigger_mike]

not sure, sensor about £50 then to have fitted roughly 1 Hours work £30, only a quess though so don't quote me on it!!

[nej]

When my coolant temperature sensor went it cost me £20 for the new part. If I'd got it done at the dealer they would've charged me £100 for labour, so I got my brother to do it (as he's a mechanic). It didn't take that long really.

Best bet would be to get a local garage to do it if you aren't confident at doing it yourself. Dealer charges are WAY to high.

[tomstickland]

If the oil level is fine on the dipstick then most probably the sensor or wiring.

You should try bridging the wires or completely disconnecting it to see what makes the light come on all the time or stay off all the time.

Buy the sensor from EuroCarParts or GSF car parts. Should be quite cheap. Fitting it is usually very simple providing that you can get to the sensor without having to lift the car or move too many items out of the way.

[steve_r123]

Almost guarantee it is a sensor that is playing up.

Get registered on http://www.scottishvag.com/forum/ and someone near to you is bound to already have vag-com, and they will more than likely meet up with you to run a quick test and diagnose the problem. If it is reset via vag-com the problem might even go away altoether and you have spent nothing

:xmassign:

[catford]

davey_b definitely sounds like the sensor-they are cheap as chips and usualy easy to change if a bit awkward to get at--DONT pay those silly prices--shop around -local motor factors etc.But not the main dealer. if you can drive a spanner you can diy and have a few beers on the profit!--not if your driving though! merry etc