Oil warning message

Optionman1
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Oil warning message

Post by Optionman1 » Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:51 pm

Weird thing happened tonight that i hope is nothing. 5 minutes into the start of a 65 mile commute home, just as i turn right onto freeway on ramp i see on center dash “oil failure” and my oil pressure needle drops to 0. Car didn’t stall or make any odd sound. After screaming WTF and immediately moving over to stop, the warning light went off and the needle jumped back up to 5. I kept driving and car acted perfectly the entire trip home.

Sensor glitch?

Thanks
2003 4S 6mt Arctic Silver/Metropol Blue
2009 4S PDK Meteor Grey/Black FSI 4.0 Stage II

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JohnIreland
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by JohnIreland » Wed Sep 02, 2020 7:08 pm

Do you have a code reader? If so, see what it says, but without starting the car. Check your oil level, look for leaks, check your coolant for contamination, check the oil pressure sending unit. Has the car had a recent service, oil change or otherwise? Until you can prove that it wasn't your oil pressure actually dropping to zero I would not start the engine or drive the car. If in doubt, flat bed it to your wrench.

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Dr_Strangelove
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by Dr_Strangelove » Wed Sep 02, 2020 7:36 pm

100% sensor failure. I have been living with this intermittently for 3 years. Happens maybe 1-2x per year. Gauge drops to zero and warning message stay for 30-69 (edit: giggidy.) seconds. Then goes back to normal and stays that way for a long time. The replacement is easy. I've had a new sensor sitting on my shelf for 2 years but my 99 rebuild and 1 year old, coupled with the fact that the car is otherwise fine I've just been sitting on it.

Point being - you have time and no worries. This is very common with these cars.
2003 Carrera: Dark Teal Metallic

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DBJoe996
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by DBJoe996 » Thu Sep 03, 2020 3:48 am

Mine - engine off oil pressure zero, engine on lately it just pegs at 5 and stays there. One of these days I'll get a new sensor...one of these days. Already jiggled the wires and connectors...no go there.

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32wildbilly
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by 32wildbilly » Thu Sep 03, 2020 4:52 am

Optionman1 wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:51 pm Weird thing happened tonight that i hope is nothing. 5 minutes into the start of a 65 mile commute home, just as i turn right onto freeway on ramp i see on center dash “oil failure” and my oil pressure needle drops to 0. Car didn’t stall or make any odd sound. After screaming WTF and immediately moving over to stop, the warning light went off and the needle jumped back up to 5. I kept driving and car acted perfectly the entire trip home.

Sensor glitch?

Thanks
Yep sensor. About one year into ownership and having read enough about these cars to be scared of everything mine did the "ding, drop to zero and warning message of oil pressure sensor failure(I think that what it said)". I almost soiled my pants, immediately pulled over and everything returned to normal. Wash repeat. New sensor solved the problem. I have read since that sometime it is just corroded/dirty wire connections. Reasonably priced part and not that hard to change with a thin crowfoot wrench of the proper size.
Never gonna make you cry...

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by FRUNKenstein » Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:06 am

Oh come on. You guys are no fun at all.
Optionman1, what you are experiencing is clearly an asymptomatic IMS bearing failure. Flatbed that sucker to Flat Six right away before more damage is done. If not, your car could easily spread that sh!t to other 996s it comes into contact with.
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Current:
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1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
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Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

Kalashnikov
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by Kalashnikov » Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:24 am

I never pulled over when mine came on... Fuck it.

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5chn3ll
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by 5chn3ll » Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:31 am

I cut the wires going to my oil pressure gauge. I call driving like this "German Roulette."

Understeer: You will hit the wall with the front end.
Oversteer: You will hit the wall with the rear end.
Horsepower: How hard you will hit the wall.
Torque: How far you will move the wall.

Gone hunting with Alec Baldwin and Dick Cheney. Back soon.

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OceanBlue2000
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by OceanBlue2000 » Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:31 am

Optionman1 wrote: Wed Sep 02, 2020 6:51 pm Weird thing happened tonight that i hope is nothing. 5 minutes into the start of a 65 mile commute home, just as i turn right onto freeway on ramp i see on center dash “oil failure” and my oil pressure needle drops to 0. Car didn’t stall or make any odd sound. After screaming WTF and immediately moving over to stop, the warning light went off and the needle jumped back up to 5. I kept driving and car acted perfectly the entire trip home.

Sensor glitch?

Thanks
Nothing to add except this would scare the bejesus out of me. Oil sender sensor looks pretty easy to change though.
Mike
Strange things I have in head, that will to hand.
2000 Ocean Blue 996 Carrera 2
1982 928 (sold)

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5chn3ll
Six shots...or only five?
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Re: Oil warning message

Post by 5chn3ll » Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:50 am

I keep a little memorial picture of The Goose Man in that spot since the gauge is disconnected anyway...

Image

Understeer: You will hit the wall with the front end.
Oversteer: You will hit the wall with the rear end.
Horsepower: How hard you will hit the wall.
Torque: How far you will move the wall.

Gone hunting with Alec Baldwin and Dick Cheney. Back soon.

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