Volvo d12 evc a Oil level warning

jrudge

jrudge

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The port engine oil level warning is showing on the circular error display gauge

The challenge is that the engine does not to our knowledge have an oil level sensor. We have just had the sump off ( it was doing it before so not related) and there is nothing on it and I can’t think where else you could put an oil level sensor!
Any ideas please as to how this system determines oil level ( the oil is full)
 
Cancel that idea. According to the parts diagram there are two sensors called 'level guard', one in the sump and the other somewhere in the block. Might be worth trying to find the sensors (I get that you say there wasn't one in the sump) and test them.
 
I think it’s inside under the block .You have to drop the pan to access it .
Alternatively if you can find the wire connects in the harness ( ck colours on parts guide ) simply add a jumper to trick the guage .

Some ( prob not this ? ) have the temp + level as one sender .If so this will have 4 wires out so find the temp sensor and ck how many wires are out on its plug .- long shot then ID the level pair and jump them to turn the light off on the dash .

Some have believe it or not ( high end cars ) some sort of air pressure sensor that can telling you have NOT replaced either the filler cap or dipstick back in an air tight fashion .If nor tight a light is thrown on the dash “ check oil level “
Even though like you you just eyeballed the dip stick with the marks ,

Hope this helps
 
jimmy_the_builder said:
This is what I was looking at.

https://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/volvo-penta-explodedview-7740680-30-6325.aspx
Click to expand...


So on the good engine unplug 8 crank case pressure then 31 level sender and see if they throw a light unplugged .
Then ck the connect s on the “ bad “ engine to eliminate one of them ,I suspect 8 ,s the problem.
8 tells you it’s low ( assume it runs ok ) but a prob with 31May via ECU protectiveness = shut down / won,t start for obvious reasons as it thinks there’s no oil .If it won,t start with 31 unplugged then you know what that “ guard “ does it’s the backstop :)

You can try jumping them to trick the dash and ECU once you have worked out what’s what .Then put the sender on the “to do list “
 
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Might sound crazy, but if there is no sensor fitted and the vacant plug isn’t damaged/dangling in bilge water, I’d suggest a software update for the ECU, as I’m pretty certain we’ve had this a few times in the last few years and it’s always solved the issue. Never been able to explain why it suddenly happens but I’m sure it’s been seen before & resolved by updating.
 
Andyroonot said:
Might sound crazy, but if there is no sensor fitted and the vacant plug isn’t damaged/dangling in bilge water, I’d suggest a software update for the ECU, as I’m pretty certain we’ve had this a few times in the last few years and it’s always solved the issue. Never been able to explain why it suddenly happens but I’m sure it’s been seen before & resolved by updating.
Click to expand...

Last time they updated the software one fuel gauge stopped working and they never did find out why! Will dig around in the morning !
 
We had problems with the level sensors on d12’s ours were situated by the dipstick tubes warning lights on these engines seems part of the ownership experience , we still occasionally have a generic triangle alarm which as the sensors are all on a can bus system including fuel gauge and water gauge a fault can be difficult to identify !
 
We had Tom from Total Marine on the boat for a morning doing sea trials and couldn’t replicate any faults just a fuel pressure sensor that was not showing correct pressures,a new one sorted that and he suggested getting that it was probably a poor connection somewhere throwing an occasional yellow triangle. The sensors on these engines use a common one that does oil pressure,fuel pressure so we keep a spare now bought from a Volvo truck dealer much cheaper ......
 
It’s a ghost signal from the plug that needs cleaning and moving to a higher point on the engine block .
I remember some years back travelling many miles to see a plug in a flooded engine bay giving the low oil level signal , most pleasure rated engines don’t have the oil level sensor in the sump just commercial rated engines have the option.
 
Both of mine did this, first time limped home 20 miles on one engine. Volvo confirmed no sensor, updated the firmware and problem fixed. Why the ffff they didn't update the other engine is beyond me. 2nd engine subsequently showed low oil level while on a buoy of Sark. VP agent recommended limping home again on one engine. Ignored their advice and drove home and confirmed same problem as before and another update and been ok ever since.

Glad to say that particular agent went pop.
 
volvopaul said:
It’s a ghost signal from the plug that needs cleaning and moving to a higher point on the engine block .
I remember some years back travelling many miles to see a plug in a flooded engine bay giving the low oil level signal , most pleasure rated engines don’t have the oil level sensor in the sump just commercial rated engines have the option.
Click to expand...
I second what DPH/VP say. Had this on my 2004 Sq58 with evc a D12 715s, only ever on one engine. It is a rogue signal exactly as VP says and your engines do not have oil level sensors. You can ignore it or try to fix. In my case a software fix cured it - same as DPH above - (can't remember the details from 14 yrs ago sorry) and it wasn't a short in a plug dipped in water, but VP's scenario would also cause it. On mine it took ages of wasted time with V agents who didn't know the answer. There have been threads on this before.
 
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