I have a 1990 MasterAce Surf Super Touring, 2ltr TD. The problem that I have is the oil level light will go out upon starting the van but will come back on after about 5 seconds. I have just given it a complete $ervice [was due anyway]. During the service I noticed a wire had come unplugged from somewhere [prior to servicing], I am hoping that it is for the oil sensor. What I need to know is where it plugs back into, it is a two wire connection [brown/black stripe and a green one]. Any help would be good, I am sorry if this is not enought info but will try to get more if need be. Thanks, Darrin.
- (#7076) Darrin Lloyd, 5 Dec 03 06:13
Ooh that's stretching the grey matter. I think it's in a knuckle grazing position down the back of the alternator. I recall a thread from way back on this one. Check the archives on AceAnswers.
- (#7076) Ian Dunse, 5 Dec 03 09:21
Pressure light, under alternator. Level light's on the l/h side of the sump...
- (#7076) david miller, 5 Dec 03 11:25
Just in front of the round cross member, mine has a metal bracket (protecting it) over. Where is the connector hanging?
- (#7076) Clive (Bristol), 5 Dec 03 11:48
Clive (Bristol)It comes out of a cluster of cables by the starter motor and hangs down past the exhaust. Had a look just now and could not see anything looking like a socket in front of the crossmember. It also has a black hose [plastic] hose protecting it. Is there anywhere that I can post or email a picture to?
- (#7076) Darrin Lloyd, 5 Dec 03 16:41
If i'ts hanging that low - could be its running into the Auto box. There an connector hidden behind the pipework down there.
- (#7076) stephen judge, 5 Dec 03 16:57
Stephen, I am assuming by "Auto" you mean transmission, if so then I have a 5sp manual, sorry for not putting that in.
- (#7076) Darrin Lloyd, 5 Dec 03 17:23
email me a pic and I'll make it available in this thread if you want.
This rings a bell for me, I think I used to see, as I walked to the car, a very similar cable dangling there under my '91 2CT Auto 4WD R-Lounge. Couldn't find a socket so just tied it up.
Stating the obvious - is the oil level well up to "F" because my oil light would behave like that once the level gets halfway down, I think that's normal.
- (#7076) Dave (Sussex), 6 Dec 03 02:57
Dave Yes the oil level is at the right place, just had a complete service. Will send you a pic. Thanks, Darrin.
- (#7076) Darrin Lloyd, 7 Dec 03 01:26
http://www.mpvi/ie/dcs.htm for Darren's pictures, except I haven't been able to test that because that site doesn't seem to be working this instant.
- (#7076) Dave (Sussex), 7 Dec 03 09:53
Sorry. I should know my own website address better. Use ...
http://www.mpvi.net/ie/dcs.htm
- (#7076) Dave (Sussex), 8 Dec 03 04:22
I think the spare connector could be a red herring. These vans come with a lot of extras, and its possible that whatever this connector powers, isn’t fitted to your van. Stephen may be on the right track when he says it could be the auto box. You have a manual, therefore the connector has nothing to connect to.
It seems odd that the low oil light is going out initially, then coming on after 5 seconds after the engine has fired. Its almost suggests that more oil than normal is finding its way back to the sump when the engine is turned off, and is giving a false reading on the dipstick. When the engine is then started, this extra oil that’s needed elsewhere is pumped out of the sump, thus allowing the level to drop below the sensor, and the oil light to come on.
If it is a faulty sensor, you may be able to confirm this by disconnecting the wire. If the low oil light behaves exactly the same, the chances are its faulty.
Regards
dave Bright
- (#7076) dave Bright, 8 Dec 03 07:25
It's a wild idea - but could the oil galleries be partially blocked. The oil pump pushes oil to the parts that need it but most of it just drains back. That would give an indication of a low oil level. Prior to the service the thinner oil would drain back faster.
- (#7076) stephen judge, 8 Dec 03 17:01
Thanks for the replies, Dave, could you by any chance guide me in the right direction to the wire you are talking about please? [to disconnect the sensor wire].
Stephen, how would I go about clearing the oil galleries if that is the case?
Also, is it safe for me to put more oil in it while it is running? Thanks, Darrin.
- (#7076) Darrin Lloyd, 8 Dec 03 18:45
Try checking the oil with the engine hot, after being stopped for a minute or two rather than cold overnight.
Now the level sensor is a clever little beast, it's got a thermal switch in it as well as the float. As I recall it shouldn't work until the oil warms up?
Clive/ Ian, would you check the section in the US manual about this, I can't quite recall the test procedure. But if you disconnect it and the light stays off, that's the problem. Might just have to remove the little cover plate to access the connector tho.
- (#7076) david miller, 9 Dec 03 02:50
The wire I’m referring to is the wire to the low oil level sensor. As David and Clive have indicated, its on the left hand side of the sump, (passenger side) Just in front of the round cross member.
Having checked the van manual, the low level sensor is also a temperature sensor, as David says. (He seems to have an elephantine memory for these things). But it would appear that this is a twin system, too hot or too low, brings on the low level light.
- (#7076) dave Bright, 9 Dec 03 03:03
At the bottom of http://www.mpvi.net/ie/dcs.htm I've added a link to a (1993 Townace) schematic which shows the oil/temp/level sensor and an engine wiring layout with a key to which wire goes where. E9 is for the oil sensor. Hope this helps.
- (#7076) Dave (Sussex), 9 Dec 03 07:55
Thanks Dave for doing this, just one problem tho, I get errors when I try to open any of the links on that page.
- (#7076) Darrin Lloyd, 11 Dec 03 15:32
Jumped onto my partners PC and went to the site, not a problem, emailed myself the pics from hers and printed them out, will let you know how I get on.
Would also like to thank you for putting together a great site, I was amazed when I first found it with all the helpful info you and others had aquired on these vehicles. A heartfelt thankyou and a very grateful Masterace owner here.
Darrin.
- (#7076) Darrin Lloyd, 11 Dec 03 15:52