Member Since: 21 Feb 2014
Location: regina
Posts: 5
Help! newbie.oil level indicator not working..can I fix this
Hello there all,
I am a total LR newbie and I am having an issue. I own a 2010 LR4 V8 Petrol base model with 74k and my digital oil level shows I am out of oil? An engine error light also came on. I just took the vehicle to a local shop and watched them put in 8 litres of synthetic oil and changed the oil filter. I thought this would correct the problem but I still get the same error.
I live in Canada and I was thinking that maybe the cold weather has some how affected the oil level sensor. I really don't know and I there isn't an experienced local shop that I can trust. If I replace the oil level sensor would this solve the problem and do I need a special computer to reset the vehicle? Is this a big job?
I own the workshop manual and I was really hoping I could fix it myself. Any thoughts out there from any Land Rover enthusiasts?
21st Feb 2014 2:15 am
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
8 litres sounds rather a lot! I don't know the oil capacity of the V8, but even if it had NO oil in it, I would think 8 litres would be too much.
Which warning light are you talking about? is it the oil pressure warning, or the engine management lamp?
Does it run now? if so, does it sound ok?
I suspect your oil was not completely run out, or it would have seized.
More info required.
21st Feb 2014 10:09 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
The oil level and temperature sensor is a mini sonar and 'pings' from the bottom of the sump to the surface of the oil. This sensed distance is then converted to a level for the instrument pack. If the sensor fails, is damaged or disconnected it will show zero oil.
A service fill is 8 litres of oil.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26702
Wow! Use as much oil as petrol those V8's
Hope he sorts it out.
21st Feb 2014 3:19 pm
scottdegelman
Member Since: 21 Feb 2014
Location: regina
Posts: 5
Hi there,
Thanks for the response. I am pretty sure the 8 litres is correct for the 5.0l V8. So vehicle sound like it is running fine except for the "engine management light". I checked the oil on the digital display and it displayed low oil (hence the oil change)…I used the recommended 5W 30 synthetic. Everything sounds normal and all but I still have the exact same problem that I started off with.
Ok. I went through the workshop manual and here are the steps:
1. car in park
2. hood is open
3.press rit hand directional button to access instrument cluster
4. hit ok
5.hit directional button to get to get to engine oil level ( it reads MIN)
6. hit cruise control cancel button twice (it reads MAX)
7. ok then ignition off
8.turn ignition on…if i check it again it reverts back to MIN
9. the manual says: "NOTE: The following steps are to update the average oil level value. turn ignition on, press and hold cruise control cancel button for more than 2 seconds. msg centre display will revert to the normal display in the trip computer. turn ignition off.
I went through this a million times and I can't seem to lock the oil level display in and I still get the engine management light" grrrr
I love love my LR4 but I have to get passed this. Is there a computer a guy can get that will tell me what is wrong? Am I doing something wrong? Do you guys think it is a faulty level sensor/ (thanks for the comment on the sonar part - I didn't know that)
Anyways any help would be appreciated and sorry for my delay in messages (work and family get in the way of fixing my LR)
Thank you again
22nd Feb 2014 1:07 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
As per my previous post, 8 litres is correct and the level & temp sensor may be faulty, disconnected or the wiring to it could be damaged. The engine light and oil level issue should be investigated with a diagnostic tool.
I am a bit surprised that the garaged tried to resolve the issue with an oil service. It would have been better to investigate the sensor first in case it needs replacing, along with the oil it is immersed in. If there was any doubt regarding the oil level they should have measures what was emptied from the engine.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 21 Feb 2014
Location: regina
Posts: 5
Thanks Robbie,
You are totally right. I should have measured what came out of the engine but suspect that the correct volume is not the problem. The garage should have investigated the sensor first - you are right.
Anyways I will try to get it to a garage outside my city and hopefully they can hook it up to a diagnostic tool as you mentioned. I was hoping I could fix it myself ( I wonder where a guy can get a diagnostic tool)
Thank you so much. I think I might check out the sensor and see if the wiring is toast or loose.
Thank you again.
FYI This is the first Land Rover I have owned and I can't say enough good things about it. First class vehicle! Rugged yet elegant
22nd Feb 2014 4:27 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
You could support the Canadian economy and buy a GAP IID Tool to do your own diagnostics and improvements.
Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 21 Feb 2014
Location: regina
Posts: 5
Thanks Robbie,
I actually just sent them a note to get a price and recommendations for a diagnostic tool. If it isn't too pricey it could be really useful. I just hope I can figure things out on my own…:-0
I suspect our Canadian winters are pretty tough on vehicles in general (another -21C day)
btw…those Brits sure know how to build a nice vehicle…thanks again
Scott
22nd Feb 2014 5:52 pm
countrywide
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 6019
This may not help at all, but have you tried disconnecting the battery and trying a reset that way.
22nd Feb 2014 6:37 pm
scottdegelman
Member Since: 21 Feb 2014
Location: regina
Posts: 5
thank you countrywide…but yeah I did…the service light went off for about a week then it came back on…I'll try that again and see what happens….this is such a weird problem…after you change your oil it is kind of a procedure to reset the oil level….how would the average guy even know this? you even have to have the hood open to do the rest….anyways I keep thinking I have the sequencing all wrong…i keep thinking the problem is something really simple
thanks again
23rd Feb 2014 8:35 am
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
So far my experience with the oil level sensor has been positive with no user intervention required. I think the user interface could be better though and I wish it would display the recorded oil level on a cold start (compensated for temp) rather than the multiple button presses required.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
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