DIY: Oil level sensor replacement on 1.8T

[MikeWire]

Just another friendly DIY - this one is for when your oil level sensor decides to stop working. I had the oil can light, did a search and found a lot of info, but no DIY. Please let me know if there is one I missed.

This DIY applies to, of course, my 2003 B6 Audi A4 Avant 1.8T AMB motor - I know the AMB longitudinal 1.8T in the Audi has this sensor, and I'm sure it applies to other models as well. This is strictly a guide, do your research and get the correct parts for your application.

This task will probably will take about an hour from start to finish. If you do it when changing your oil its about an additional 15 mins. or less, which is simply the time it takes to change the sensor out after draining your oil.

First thing you will see is the yellow oil can icon with the word "SENSOR" in your DIS:



Scan it, and you won't see a code. Or at least I didn't, so I understood it was a mechanical problem with the sensor. I went with the Meyle OEM replacement, which is a German part, but ironically has a Made in China sticker on it :\ Well, it's half the cost of the real VAG OEM part, so I'll give it a try:



Here's a couple of pictures of the Meyle replacement:





So onto the DIY part - If you still have your splash guard, remove it. Drain your oil. I decided to drain my existing oil into a clean gallon milk jug with the top cut open for easy filling. Some may ask why, I run Amsoil, which was recently changed and will last longer than most synthetics, and it's expensive. So I wanted to save it until the next time to change, which is in a couple more thousand miles. You may opt to do this on a regular oil change:



From there, you will see the sensor bolted in the oil pan. Remove the sensor connector (already unplugged) and unscrew the three 5mm hex bolts. Then simply pull the sensor down and out of the pan. Keep the black metal cover and save it - it will be used on the new sensor:



Old and crusty, pics to compare to the Meyle part. Pretty much the same...I would suspect they are more than likely made in the same factory:





Thoroughly clean the sealing surface of the oil pan in prep for the new sensor install:



Clean up the bolts and the metal cover:



Installation is the reverse of removal of the old sensor. No additional sealant is needed, the rubber o-ring is double lipped and is more than adequate. Torque each bolt to 10nm (Thanks Johnny Quattro) - don't over-tighten, or you will be replacing your oil pan. Plug the connector back in to the sensor, and the job is done:



Torque info added from Johnny Quattro

Hi Mikewire.
Great write up! Thx!
My 2 cents worth: the studs for the sensor should be torqued to 10Nm, according to the Audi repair Manual.
Thanks again.

[evo_ski]

Thanks for the clear instructions and pics! Mine always has a little bit of oil around it, so I feel like it might be leaking slightly. Perhaps I should clean it off a bit and see if the leak re-appears after my next oil change. Seems like a simple and relatively cheap fix.

[rovimos]

Did your light stayed on all the time? Mine seems to come on when the engine temperature reaches the middle bar

[rovimos]

Forgot to post that it stays on for a few minutes then shuts off.

[old guy]

Nice job on the DIY

[pradheep88]

thanks for the DIY....

[MikeWire]

Forgot to post that it stays on for a few minutes then shuts off.

Thanks everyone, glad to try and contribute back to the community.

Yes, the "SENSOR" light will come on just after turning on and running the motor. It turns off after being on for a few minutes.

[woofster]

Nice DIY! I just so happened to change out my faulty oil level sensor this weekend during an oil change as well. Upon starting up the engine again, the warning light immediately turned off and all was good to go.

By the way, I ordered the part online for $42 CAD so it wasn't an expensive fix by any means. This is a part costing well over $100 at the Audi dealer!

[Trev]

Really needed a DIY to drain oil, unplug sensor and plug a new one in

FYI, my Meyle replacement lasted less then a year... Just ordered up ECS's MTC brand, a bit cheaper then the Meyle. We'll see how long that lasts

[sxman69]

FYI, my Meyle replacement lasted less then a year... Just ordered up ECS's MTC brand, a bit cheaper then the Meyle. We'll see how long that lasts

Exact same thing happened to me. So I did what you did. So far so good.

[MikeWire]

Really needed a DIY to drain oil, unplug sensor and plug a new one in

FYI, my Meyle replacement lasted less then a year... Just ordered up ECS's MTC brand, a bit cheaper then the Meyle. We'll see how long that lasts

There may be others who may need or want the info on changing this sensor. Next time I make a basic DIY I'll make sure to think about you

I always figure that that all the sensors come out of the same factory, regardless of brand. I'm interested in where MTC brand came from and how it compares to OEM and Meyle.

[widgget]

the one napa was selling is around $80. didn't get a brand.
anyone have a link for a cheaper one?

[MikeWire]

Here's the ECS Meyle sensor currently about $32: http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B6_A4-...ensors/ES2380/

The picture is of the OEM Hella sensor although it is Meyle.

[Trev]

There may be others who may need or want the info on changing this sensor. Next time I make a basic DIY I'll make sure to think about you

I always figure that that all the sensors come out of the same factory, regardless of brand. I'm interested in where MTC brand came from and how it compares to OEM and Meyle.

Lol, good job on the write up tho.

Sounds like the MTC Brand might be the better/cheaper solution...

[itsweird182]

Yes, the "SENSOR" light will come on just after turning on and running the motor. It turns off after being on for a few minutes.

Weird. My car has had this light on for a couple months but it's on permanently. It never turns off.

[MikeWire]

Weird. My car has had this light on for a couple months but it's on permanently. It never turns off.

Then your sensor isn't intermittent, and possibly the connector is unplugged or wiring is no good.

Asus TF101 | Revolver 3.11 | Revolver Parts

[itsweird182]

Then your sensor isn't intermittent, and possibly the connector is unplugged or wiring is no good.

Asus TF101 | Revolver 3.11 | Revolver Parts

So if it's the wire replacing the sensor itself would still fix the problem, correct? or does something else need to be replaced?

[woofster]

So if it's the wire replacing the sensor itself would still fix the problem, correct? or does something else need to be replaced?

Did you actually try replacing the oil level sensor yet? If it's a frayed wire then replacing the sensor wouldn't correct this issue since that replacement part only consists of the sensor and gasket. The electrical wiring would be another issue altogether.

[boy412]

This may have been a "simple" DIY but it was valuable to me just to learn that no additional sealant was needed. Thanks MikeWire!



Replaced mine today with the Meyle version. Time will tell I guess. If this one fails I'll replace it with an OEM version.

[MikeWire]

Awesome, glad it helped! So far my Meyle sender is holding strong, no problems.

[johnny quattro]

Hi Mikewire.
Great write up! Thx!
My 2 cents worth: the studs for the sensor should be torqued to 10Nm, according to the Audi repair Manual.
Thanks again.

[JeffPgh]

Any way to view the oil pickup screen when the sensor is removed? Just curious...would be nice.

[2010nctaco]

Any way to view the oil pickup screen when the sensor is removed? Just curious...would be nice.

I would also like to know this. Thanks

[MikeWire]

Any way to view the oil pickup screen when the sensor is removed? Just curious...would be nice.

I would also like to know this. Thanks

The oil pickup could not be seen when I looked for it - IIRC it's on the opposite side of the oil pan from the sensor. The only real way to get a good look at your pickup is to drop the pan.

[cpcoop71]

just found this after replacing my oil sensor. My question is after replacing the sensor the low oil light is coming on. I replaced my dipstick and tube. the dipstick says the oil level is 3/4 full and I'm getting low oil. I guess the next thing to do is fill it completely full I guess. At what point on the dipstick does the light come on?

[johnny quattro]

Question CPCOOP71.

Why did you replace your dipstick and tube?

You would think that the low oil light would come on at the low mark on the dipstick?

[MikeWire]

just found this after replacing my oil sensor. My question is after replacing the sensor the low oil light is coming on. I replaced my dipstick and tube. the dipstick says the oil level is 3/4 full and I'm getting low oil. I guess the next thing to do is fill it completely full I guess. At what point on the dipstick does the light come on?

E-diagnosis - either the new sensor is faulty, the connector is dirty/not plugged in completely, or your wiring is faulty. Check under the car and see what's going on.

[zamflip]

Nevermind.. new oil sensor then. hopefully this issue ll solve the problem.

[boy412]

Necro bump...

Any idea what the threshold is for getting a low oil level warning? I was checking my fluids the other day and was about 1 quart low. That seems like a lot when the oil capacity is what it is. I'm starting to wonder if the Meyle sensor I installed is not working properly...

[lucaq]

I just want to know how the MTCs are holding up, if they are better and cheaper than the Meyle. I put one in about 2 months ago.

[Roughcut]

I just want to know how the MTCs are holding up, if they are better and cheaper than the Meyle. I put one in about 2 months ago.

+1

[SourCream]

I have this light on when the engine is cold and it disappears when it's warm. Is the sensor bad?

[MikeWire]

I have this light on when the engine is cold and it disappears when it's warm. Is the sensor bad?

1st...dumb question, but have you checked your oil level at cold and hot temps and made sure it's not low?
2nd...did you see the multiple replies where the oil can icon will display at start-up, then go away after a few minutes?

[Trev]

FYI, MTC brand sensor is dead now, just shy of one year.

Could be because my power steering pump is pissing out fluid everywhere and has covered the sensor....

[lucaq]

FYI, MTC brand sensor is dead now, just shy of one year.

Could be because my power steering pump is pissing out fluid everywhere and has covered the sensor....

Nooooooooooo! Oh we'll, thanks for the update, I'll let everyone know how mine lasts.

[boy412]

My Meyle sensor is now telling me I have low oil but the dipstick is reading full. So I guess its time to order an OEM sensor and try that.

[boy412]

The weird thing is if I check the oil level (dipstick) the "low oil" warning light goes off. It might stay off for days...then come back on again. It can then stay on for days...and as soon as I check the oil level it goes off again.

[lucaq]

That is weird, these cars can be quirky...

[SourCream]

The weird thing is if I check the oil level (dipstick) the "low oil" warning light goes off. It might stay off for days...then come back on again. It can then stay on for days...and as soon as I check the oil level it goes off again.

LOL i'm having the same issue. Some weirdness is going around here..

[lucaq]

I'm thinking it has something to do with the float of the sensor, try replacing the dipstick, thy are like $16 on amazon. You could also try putting it in in different orientations. (Place a mark on the dipstick and also dipstick tube and then try all the different orientations. ) could even trim the dipstick and see I'd that helps.