So, I wanted to check the oil and just kept getting the 'Unavailable' message. Plugged in a scanner and I had various codes show up (no dashboard lights) all pointing to failed oil level sensor. I have 2 different garages diagnose the codes and both came to the conclusion that the oil level / temperature sensor needed replacing. I went to the second garage only because the first one that did the diagnosis wanted to take the engine out to replace the sensor instead of risking shearing any of the bolts in the subframe. The second garage have replaced the sensor successfully without taking the engine out BUT despite clearing the codes they still immediately return still cannot view oil level. So far this is sitting at a £1600+ oil change as that is the only thing that appears to have changed. I noticed that a couple of codes seem to mention the fan and also front vent something or other so I am wondering if they and the oil sensor are part of the same wiring loom? Anybody any ideas what else to look at? I am already stuck with having to pay a further £99 per hour labour charge whilst the garage chase blind through the wiring looking for any problem and also have £200+ software update booked in for tomorrow. I have some warranty cover for this but they are only to pay the RR quoted book labour hours of 6.5 which doesn't even cover half of this cost. I have the only been the very disillusioned owner of this vehicle for 2 months and wish I had never bothered trying to check the oil as without any dash lights I wouldn't have been any wiser and I dont see what detrimental effect not having a working oil sensor could have other than not knowing how much oil is in the engine or am i wrong?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks in advance

This might not be what you want to hear, but my oil sensor has never worked since I bought the car 3 and a bit years ago.

I looked into getting the sensor replaced, although just couldn't justify the cost. So went for the guitar string option for £5, which works perfectly well for measuring oil level - as long as you leave the car long enough for the oil to settle properly.

More information here:
www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56693.html Current:
- 2013 L405 4.4 TDV8 Vogue
Sold:
- 2004 L322 4.4 Vogue (BRC LPG)
- 2002 L322 4.4 HSE (having fixed timing chain guides)
- 2000 P38 4.6 Vogue (BRC LPG)
- 1981 2-door In-Vogue
- 1980 Ex-Army SIII LWB
- 1976 SIII LWB
- 1968 SIIA
Stripped for parts:
- 2003 L322 4.4 Vogue

Last edited by Zebedee on 14th Sep 2023 6:28pm. Edited 2 times in total

So does it not make any difference to the vehicle that it doesn't work? Does not affect emissions or anything else?

ReggieMac wrote:

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

I will ask the garage about N357 and I would have hoped that they would have checked this already (?) but you never know!

ReggieMac wrote:

So does it not make any difference to the vehicle that it doesn't work? Does not affect emissions or anything else?

Kot wrote:

I had oil tracking in the sensor loom, believe it comes from turbo actuator which had been replaced previously. Have you inspected/change the loom mentioned in N375?

https://www.fullfatrr.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10080/N357.pdf

Interesting
as I had the Turbo actuator replaced under warranty april 21. Then 4 months later oil sensor packed in-- again fixed under warranty at MD never got a straight answer what the fault was but they certainly didn't have it long enough to change it out, so wonder did they change the loom after the TA was replaced under 375? or when I complain oil level was not working ?
that was August 21 no further faults with oil sensor.

Or maybe the appo forgot to connect it back up again  2018 SE SDV8 4.4 Byron Blue

Mine has had the loom replacement but at last service I was told there was oil in the plug does this mean I should get it changed again? overfinch modified

All the N357 extra wiring loom does is put an extra bit of wiring and another plug between the oil sensor and the rest of the wiring - it is a sticky plaster at best.

The real issue is the appaling design where someone decided it would be a good idea to mount the sensor internally in this engine, when the part is designed to be mounted externally [and would be easy to change when it fails - such as on the L322 using the 4.4TDV8]. It fails because oil gets into the sensor/wiring and tracks back up into the wiring loom.

Read more about it here: www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic56693.html Current:
- 2013 L405 4.4 TDV8 Vogue
Sold:
- 2004 L322 4.4 Vogue (BRC LPG)
- 2002 L322 4.4 HSE (having fixed timing chain guides)
- 2000 P38 4.6 Vogue (BRC LPG)
- 1981 2-door In-Vogue
- 1980 Ex-Army SIII LWB
- 1976 SIII LWB
- 1968 SIIA
Stripped for parts:
- 2003 L322 4.4 Vogue

Certainly agree with the poor design. But anyway, I suppose as it is done now I can only hope it lasts but at least I know better if it goes again! Incidentally, would you expect there to be the smell of oil fumes in the cabin whilst driving after having this job done? I initially assumed it is spilt oil burning off from the exhaust but I have done a couple of hundred miles now and I still have this smell, it wasn't there before having the sensor replaced (I am not for one moment suggesting that it is the sensor at fault).

let's hope its all ok now and clears. did they renew the loom again also? overfinch modified

Yes the wiring loom was replaced as well. There were a whole list of parts replaced, seals etc, and it was a 2 page invoice detailing diagnostics and parts used so pretty through (bloody should be for what it cost!). I really hope the cabin smell dissipates soon though else I may have to go back!