lennybaumann5
VW Oil Pressure Warning: Faulty Sensor Alert
Summary of the thread
The conversation centers around a 2010 VW Suran Spacefox experiencing an oil pressure warning light, suspected to be caused by a faulty oil temperature sensor. The issue is characterized by the warning light appearing after the engine reaches normal operating temperature, particularly on bumpy roads. A similar case with a VW Fox revealed that the problem was due to a deteriorated sensor connector rather than the sensor itself. The suggested solution is to first inspect and potentially repair the sensor connections, as this could resolve the issue without needing a full sensor replacement, potentially saving on repair costs.
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4 comment(s)
lennybaumann5 (community.author)
Latest service was at 33000km, about 2 months ago. The temp sensor readings are definitely similar to what you described. The oil pressure warning only appears after the engine reaches normal operating temperature, usually after 15-20 minutes of driving. The mechanic did a physical oil pressure test during the last service and everything was within spec. No other warning lights are active, and oil consumption has been normal, about 0.3L between services. Your experience with the sensor connector issue is particularly interesting since my car sensor warning also seems more frequent on bumpy roads, which could point to a loose connection. The oil temperature sensor might indeed be the culprit, especially given the timing of the warnings. Got quoted 180€ for a complete oil sensor replacement including labor. Seems quite steep compared to your repair cost, might be worth checking the connections first before committing to a full sensor swap.
mariewalter8
Having gone through this exact situation with my VW Fox, I would definitely recommend checking the connections first. The fact that your warning becomes more frequent on bumpy roads strongly matches my experience with the faulty connector. The oil temperature sensor readings in these VW models can get erratic when the connections are compromised, and the symptoms you describe match the pattern perfectly, especially the timing after reaching operating temperature. 180€ does seem high for a sensor replacement. My initial quote was similar, but after the workshop found it was just the connection issue, the repair ended up being much cheaper. The car diagnostics showed similar error codes, but the root cause was the wiring, not the sensor itself. Since your oil pressure tested fine and engine operation is normal, this really reinforces my suspicion that its an electrical connection issue rather than a mechanical problem. Worth noting that these engine sensor systems are quite sensitive to connection quality, and even slight deterioration can trigger warnings. Consider getting a second opinion focused specifically on testing the sensor connections before replacing the entire unit. The timing of your warnings and the correlation with bumpy roads is too similar to my case to ignore.
lennybaumann5 (community.author)
Thanks for sharing your repair experience. You've got me convinced to look into the wiring first. The similar pattern with the oil temperature sensor acting up on bumpy roads is too specific to ignore, especially since my oil pressure tested normal during the last service. I've scheduled an appointment with another workshop that specializes in car diagnostics. Asked them specifically to check the sensor connections before jumping straight to replacement. Makes sense given how sensitive these engine sensor systems can be to loose connections. Will probably save a good chunk of money if it turns out to be just a wiring issue like in your case. The 95€ you paid sounds much more reasonable than the 180€ quote I got. Really appreciate you pointing out how the symptoms matched your connector problem, should help the mechanic narrow down where to look first. Let's hope it's just a matter of fixing some loose connections rather than replacing the whole oil sensor assembly. Will update once I get it sorted out.
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VW
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SURANSPACEFOX
mariewalter8
I had a similar issue with my 2012 VW Fox with the engine temperature sensor acting up. As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I recognized those warning symptoms right away. The engine sensor problems started exactly like yours, warning lights and error codes, but the engine kept running normally. After getting it checked, it turned out the temperature sensor connector had deteriorated, causing intermittent readings. The workshop ran a full diagnostic scan and specifically tested the engine temp sensor circuit. They found the cable connection to the sensor was damaged, leading to faulty readings. The repair involved replacing the wiring connector and properly securing the temp sensor connection. Total cost was 95€ for parts and labor. Before suggesting specific solutions for your case, it would help to know: Has the oil pressure been physically checked with a gauge? Are there any other warning lights active? When does the warning typically appear (cold start, highway speeds, idle)? Have you noticed any oil consumption issues? These details would help determine if your automotive sensor issue matches what I experienced or if theres something else going on with the oil pressure system.