Hello everyone

This is my first post, I own a 01 A6 2.7t with 123k miles. After driving for approx 5 minutes the oil pressure light comes on fora few seconds, the oil pressure gauge hasnt moved (around 150) - and approx 5 seconds later, the light gooes off and the oil pressure gauge rises. After reading many posts I will replace the oil pressure sender (switch/sensor) to see how that goes. This appears to be the first attempt to try and fix this problem for almost every audi. If this doesn't solve the pil pressure too low light from coming on, what should be my next step?
Thanks

 

You don't have an oil pressure gauge. You may be referring to the temp gauge. Anyways, when was the last time you changed oil? Maybe try using lower viscosity such as 0W-40?

 

Hello

Its the gauge on the instrument panel that all the way over to the left at the bottom. It stays at 150 and then the oil pressure light blinks once and then the oil pressure will shoot up to 250 or so and everything is ok after that. I changed the oil last week and used Mobile One 5w-40 full synthetic.

 

The gauge at the left is your oil temperature gauge, not pressure. You may have a bad pressure sensor. It is located in front of the engine block above the oil cooler. It that hard to replace it, so I would give that a try first.

How often do you change oil?

 

Thanks - you are right - that is the oil temperature gauge. Do you have any instructions on how to change the sensor? I can purchase on for approx $25 and change it myself if it is not that difficult. I change my oil every 3 months or 5,000 miles.
I wasnt aware that the temperature reading would cause the oil pressure light to come on. The oil pressure low light only comes on when the temperature gauge stays at 150 and doesn't increase.

 

One question... What does your oil pressure light that you are referring to look like? Is it yellow light with oil can and "min" written on it, or a red light oil can? If it is yellow light, then that means your level is low. Considering that the oil level sensor and oil temperature sensor is housed in the same assembly, if you are getting the low level light and a false temperature reading at the same time, then I would think that it is the temp/level sensor, not the pressure sensor. The temp/level sensor is the sensor at the bottom of the oil pan.

If you are indeed getting the red, low oil pressure light, then the oil pressure sensor is located above the oil filter/cooler housing.

 

hxgaser

It is the yellow light with the min - i changed the oil last week and i put in 6 quarts of 5w-40 mobil one synthetic. Is changing the temp level sensor expensive or very hard? Thanks

 

Fortunately, it is pretty simple. You can see and and access it from the bottom of the car.

 

Check your manual. I am pretty sure it takes more than 6 quarts, but I cannot remember exactly how much at the moment.

 

EriK,

Chances are your sensors are fine...

Your engine requires 7.3 qts of oil. not 6 qts

Check the dipstick after the engine has been off for several minutes.

I'm guessing that your level sensor (yellow) is indeed alarming because your oil level is too low.

Check it out and let us know.