I have a 2001 Astra Van with the Vauxhall 1.7 TDI engine. After just having a new starter motor fitted, on start up the engine is rattly and the oil light stays on and flickers for 5 seconds and then as the oil gets round, it returns to normal and the dash light goes out. The car and spanner dash light stays on now and when I took it back and had the van plugged to the diagnostics, I was told that it was indicating a faultycrank sensor, but as it runs fine and the rev counter is working, just forget about it. Could it be conected to me having the starter fitted or is it coincidental and it's something like the oil pump slowly dying? If anyone can shed some light, I would be grateful. Pat.
2006-10-12 06:31:33 · 5 answers · asked by gilpin bland 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I'm thinking it can't be a dodgy oil light as the engine has the rattle to accompany it now.
2006-10-12 06:58:36 · update #1
Faulty crank sens. for an oil light problem? Don`t go back there. It is pos. that the oil preas. sending unit wire got messed up when the starter was inst. Maybe even squashed between starter and eng. You didn`t mention mileage, but the oil pumps last quite long, and will give fair warning as they wear.(you`ll probably rebuild the engine before the pump wears out) Good luck Pat.
2006-10-12 06:47:40 · answer #1 · answered by Rolf W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, it would be good to find out what your actual oil pressure is.
A good mechanic will have a gage he can plug in and give you a figure.
From what you say, though, it sounds like you have low oil pressure, possibly due to worn bearings. They will do exactly what you say: low pressure at first and finally getting pressure after rattling for a bit.
It might be easy to pull the oil pan off. If so, main and rod bearings could be installed fairly easily.
This would not do the cam bearings.
It also could be a clogged oil strainer on the oil pump: that can be checked if you can get the pan off without pulling out the motor!
I can see no relation between the crank sensor and that, except the crank sensor can be trashed by oil. Leaky engine=oil soaked sensor.
If it's low mileage, this might do it. high mileage: I'd schedule it for an engine overhaul.
2006-10-12 07:33:50 · answer #2 · answered by econofix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say how many miles/km you have on the vehicle, but my thought is to replace the sensor; if it doesn't remedy the problem then look at an oil pressure test. A small engine like that "could" have a bad/failing oil pump, especailly if it has high mileage. Do you have an oil pressure gauge? If so, is it showing normal pressure? I'd check it out. Good Luck
2006-10-12 06:41:38 · answer #3 · answered by answerman63 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely get to the bottom of it and not just "forget about it"! That could be a very costly mistake on your part. Crank sensor tells you when there is something hammering away in the engine which is not a good sign or something to ignore! If you just had a new starter installed hopefully it was a trust worthy shop only because some shops sabotage you for more business! I always tell people KNOW your mechanic and it never hurts to ask around in your community. The word usually gets around pretty quick when one of these slim balls comes town!!
2006-10-12 06:38:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sell it and buy a Toyota or Nissan. Sounds bad. Oil pressure is nothing to be casual about. Try some motor honey, do a pressure guage test to be certain its not the sending unit.
2006-10-12 06:36:05 · answer #5 · answered by sir_eel_green 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋