Check Oil Level Indicator

The CHECK OIL LEVEL indicator lights to alert the driver of a low engine oil level condition. The low oil sensing circuit consists of an oil level sensor and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). This system is active only at initial engine starting and not while the engine is running.

The oil level is measured if the engine has been off long enough for top engine oil to have returned to the pan. The oil level module receives battery power at all times to retain memory of engine on and off times.

When the ignition switch is turned to RUN, battery voltage is applied to the oil level sensor's "ignition on" input. The PCM grounds the CHECK OIL LEVEL indicator for two seconds as a bulb check. If the "ignition on" input has been at 0 volts for at least 8 minutes, the PCM activates the oil level sensor. If the sensor returns a signal indicating a good oil level, the indicator remains off. If the sensor returns a signal indicating a low oil condition, the indicator lights 15 to 20 seconds after the bulb check. If the ignition switch is turned off for less than 20 seconds, the PCM remembers, and displays the previous oil level status and ignores the present oil status. If the ignition has been off for more than 20 seconds, but less than 8 minutes, the PCM ignores the oil level sensor and performs a bulb check only.