Two dash lights on - advice?

[IdahoDoug]

When I got the van, it had old oil in it and the only light on was a yellow radiator-looking idiot light. I've been meaning to ask about that, as the radiator is full. Then yesterday, a couple days after I changed the oil and put a nice Wix filter and synthetic oil in her, there is a "Low Oil" lit up right next to the radiator icon. I don't have a manual to know what these mean - anyone help? The oil is just slightly high - half a notch worth so no worries about overfilling. The radiator light goes off sometimes for a while.

Some sensor I can clean or check a connection? Thanks. 1988 2.4L gas automatic.

[Mazdax605]

I believe the sensor for the radiator light is in the over flow bottle which is behind the drivers seat with the battery. There is a float built into the cap that the hose goes into. Make sure the overflow bottle is full to the line, and that the float is free to move up and down in the bottle. You will see two wires going into the cap of the over flow bottle.

[IdahoDoug]

Thank you Chris - fixed that one!

[teamtestbot]

So, my van didn't come with an overflow bottle - the hose is tied off in a knot, yet my radiator icon is always off (but the light works - it does illuminate with the key in the ON position without the engine running.

I am now concerned and will go look for this set of wires. I check the radiator level occasionally so it's not like it's a bad thing, but... The more you know.

[IdahoDoug]

Not sure how the switch works on these vans, but if the float drops and grounds the switch to illuminate the light it would explain why yours tests OK on startup, but doesn't illuminate while driving. On startup, it just tests the bulb. So whomever removed it may have properly taped off the ends so they don't touch?

So, I don't even have an owners manual and my "Oil Level" light continues to illuminate. Could someone with a manual confirm this refers to the engine oil? My level is fine and I keep compulsively checking it.

[teamtestbot]

Do you park on an un-level surface? My "OIL LEVEL" lamp will light even if it is above the low line on the dipstick if I park tilted slightly right. It's because the sense float is on the left side. It is reset every engine start.

If it is continually on while the vehicle is parked on a level surface and the oil level measured is well above the low line, the sensor might be stuck (oil sludge?) or nonfunctional. You posted a photo of a little green button thing on the left hand side of the oil pan. That is the level sensor.

[IdahoDoug]

Thanks, will check the sensor to see if its something obvious like I bumped it during the change. It's definetely full of nice synthetic oil and right at the full line. Any idea if its a physical float arrangement? That could indeed stick. If it's some kind of liquid sensor like a simple electronic probe, then my thought of a few sharp raps on the oil pan next to it would be worthless.....

[Yokohama]

So, my van didn't come with an overflow bottle - the hose is tied off in a knot, yet my radiator icon is always off (but the light works - it does illuminate with the key in the ON position without the engine running.

I am now concerned and will go look for this set of wires. I check the radiator level occasionally so it's not like it's a bad thing, but... The more you know.

I believe the one at the salvage has the bottle. I will pick it up, and give you a price (shipped) on it. Then you can decide if you want it or not.

[teamtestbot]

I think it's an actual float, but am not sure how it works exactly. It's not like any float I've seen.

Here is a photo of it: http://www.etotheipiplusone.net/pics/mv/mv227.jpg

I have tons of pictures of my dissasembly/reassembly work, by the way, since I take stuff apart and photograph it (almost) for a living...

[IdahoDoug]

Wow - odds I would find someone with a picture of a suspect part - slightly above zero. Thanks!! I am now hoping to give it a rap or three and get it to jiggle loose. I have no idea how long the oil I removed was in there, but it was old and the car had been sitting. So, it may well be grundged up a bit and not moving or making contact with the float-activated switches. Will update.

[Yokohama]

For oil, you should use Shell Rotella T6 5w40. It is rated for mixed fleet use, and has higher molybdenum content that Mobil 1 5w40. The zinc and phosphorus content is the same or a little higher. And T6 is also less expensive and more available than Mobil 1 5w40. Autozone and Walmart have it in gallons.

[IdahoDoug]

Thats great oil, and I have been using rotella syn in two of my vehicles for 7 years now. Blackstone analysis shows it is great stuff.