Oil Level Sensor still flashing

[monaghana]

My 02 Boxster S was giving a flashing oil level indicator on startup with no oil level indicated. After a few seconds flashing stops and display goes to time. At recent service I asked mechanic to replace oil level sensor. Cost was about 50 pounds for part plus three hours labour. However having replaced the senser the flashing indicator still showing. Local Porsche dealer had car with same fault showing after sensor replaced. They plan to replace digital display, but cost of part approx 1200 pounds about $1500. The mechanic I was dealing with suggested taking car to digital display tech. I wanted to check if anyone has had same problem. Also has anyone dealt with digital speedo companies? Not sure how they can help!

[hancock1701]

Sorry to bring back an old thread but I've been having this exact same problem, and was wondering if anyone knows more about this, besides replacing the entire instrument cluster?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by hancock1701

Sorry to bring back an old thread but I've been having this exact same problem, and was wondering if anyone knows more about this, besides replacing the entire instrument cluster?

Depends upon the situation; if the level sender is sending the correct signal, you have no other choice but to replace the display, or live with the issue.

[RawleyD]

How's the oil level on the dipstick?

[Mark_T]

That happens if you leave your gas cap off. Check to see if the seal is badly damaged or if there is some other fault in that area.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

That happens if you leave your gas cap off. Check to see if the seal is badly damaged or if there is some other fault in that area.

Would you care to enlighten us to how a loose gas cap effects the oil level sensor?

[Mark_T]

Sure. Last summer I forgot to put the gas cap back on after a fill up and when I started the car the oil level display started flashing displaying empty. Of course I immediately turned the car off and then noticed the gas cap still sitting on top of the pump. Put it back on, checked the oil level with the dipstick, re-started the car, no flashing oil level light, so I assumed that was what it was all about.

Perhaps I misinterpreted an unrelated series of coincidental events?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

Sure. Last summer I forgot to put the gas cap back on after a fill up and when I started the car the oil level display started flashing displaying empty. Of course I immediately turned the car off and then noticed the gas cap still sitting on top of the pump. Put it back on, checked the oil level with the dipstick, re-started the car, no flashing oil level light, so I assumed that was what it was all about.

Perhaps I misinterpreted an unrelated series of coincidental events?

I cannot see how they are related, the two systems are completely isolated from each other............

[KevinH1990]

It is quite possible to re-program a used cluster with a working oil level display with the VIN and mileage from your broken display. You can read about my efforts here: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/43017-carrera-gauge-swap.html

Send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send you the instructions. There are also companies in the US (Hollywood Speedometer and Palo Alto Speedometer) who will do this for you. I'm not sure how much used Boxster clusters sell for in the UK, but they are a lot less in than $1500 here in the US. I also don't know whether a US cluster will work in a UK car. They may since we both still use miles and miles per hour as units of measure.

Good luck.

[hancock1701]

My brother in law bought the car 4 years ago with this problem. He had a new oil sender put in, but that didn't fix the problem, and he lived with it. So there's like a signal receiver in the cluster that's not getting the signal from the (working) sender? By the way, I put in a new gas cap while troubleshooting an air leak, so that's not the case.