Oil Pressure Light then cut out

[finracer]

Hi,

I have a 98 Cordoba Sx which this morning cut out whilst driving. All the warning I had was that the oil pressure gauge flashed on and off and then the car just ground to a halt! I imagine it went into safe mode or something as I had time to pull over but it wasn't in a safe place. I waited for a minute and then turned on again and no flashing light and car started fine. I pulled up about 50 metres up the road stopped and checked the oil. This looked normal, although it was a bit passed the halfway line, and called the RAC. They could'nt find the cause although he said it could be a faulty oil presure gauge but I only had both of them changed in April 2008. Could one of them be faulty? Obviously any fuel presure system could potentially seize the engine but as everything seemed ok he thought I needed a garage inspection. He then followed me to my nearest dealer where the RAC bloke advised me to get an oil pressure test done before anything else.
I have been experiencing a strange fault up to then where when I arrive at a roundabout or junction sometimes and am going down the gears the car cuts out with the oil presure + engine light coming on at same time. I come to a rest switch off ignition and start and it's fine Whether or not I have a clutch on the way out or it is linked to this morning I don't know.

Wondering if anyone can help.

Cheers


Steve

 

[andyj]

When it cuts out, do all the dash-lights, inc the digital milage readout, go blank ?!?

If so, it could be the ECU Control Relay, about £11 from Seat/VW

 

[finracer]

Oil Presure Problem

Hi Andy

No, the only light that came on was the oil presure light. It was flickering on and off.

Cheers

 

[richypanic]

Sounds like the crank/engine speed sensor. You have all the same symptoms I had 6 months ago. Once replaced, good as gold. Hope this helps

 

[richypanic]

Oh, I also pointed the finger at an oil related problem! Its wasnt. Its just that the engine is shut down by the ecu thus the oil/engine light automatically comes on flagging an engine problem. Learn/save from my expense, check crank speed sensor first!

 

[finracer]

Oil Pressure probs...

Cheers richypanic, I will let my dealer know as there looking at it today.

Cheers again


Steve

 

[finracer]

Crank/Engine Speed Sensor

Your right Richypanic, the dealer came back and said they tested everything oil presure related and could not find anything wrong. I told the SEAT dealer that could it be a crank/engine speed sensor issue but they said that diagnostics had not brought up anything related to this as it would have shown, and there were no tell tell rumblings that usually go with this.
They road tested it a few times and found nothing untowards. This is'nt my usual dealer but they seemed to do a thorough test with no designated faults showing.
Should I get the speed sensor actually tested or taken out and tested at the dealer. How much did you pay for the part, and do you think I should get it changed on precaution. They said that they could investigate other avenues but it would need further investigation but they can't guarantee they will find anything. They said that at this stage they could not find anything wrong and were happy to let me take it. I have a service in a couple of months with my normal dealer so may get them to look at it then.
How long did you have a problem with your Cordoba, and were there any suspicious rumblings?

Cheers, Steve

 

[richypanic]

Hi. Shame it didnt come up on diagnostics, as it did on mine in the end. The symptoms were...
Fine when cold, only occurred once engine/sensor warmed up. Would randomly cut out unpredictably. Oil/engine dash light would flash on off. Would sometimes start straight away, sometimes not. Even took all night to cool down then started/drove normally next day.
If it cut out at say 70mph car/engine would judder then maybe jump start again then conk out!
Sensor cost £45 and 1.5 hours labour (£80) at local garage. As said before, would be easy job if not for for connecting right behind the oil filter thus requiring engine mount removed and engine tilted or something!
Mine has been fine since, I seriously considered ridding it!! She has been as good as gold since and I have regained my love for it all over again.
Mileage was about 97K miles and now problem free at 101k miles.
Hope this helps. I would point the finger at this but is no guarantee. If your symptoms are the same, I would say get it done.
GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[finracer]

Hiya, It's sounds like you had your problem for a while. Mine started last December with the engine just cutting out while stopping at traffic lights. It didn't happen again for about another 2 months or so. There have been longer periods than that even.
I know it sounds stupid, but at first I put it down to not engaging the clutch properly as I have always had trouble finding a proper seat positions. Long legs.....short arms! The other thing I was prone to doing and still do is riding the clutch while decelerating, another bad trait due to the seat position. The thing is though The seat thing has always been a problem so that is why I'm wondering that there is obviously something a miss now. I have been told that the clutch was getting slightly heavy about 4/5 months ago by my usual garage but I haven't noticed it making a difference, engaging or disengaging. And now it cut out at speed on Monday makes me think that the symptoms you had are the ones I have.
You said that the garage found the fault through the diagnostics in the end, did you have it checked diagnostically before and the fault was not picked up? That could be another sign that eventually it will be picked up.
I think what I will do is get the Sensor checked out further and maybe the clutch too and then take it from there.


Cheers again, Steve

 

[finracer]

Hi again, one more thing I was going to ask was if I get the speed sensor checked do you know if it has to be removed to check, or can it be tested or looked at while still in the car.
The reason being is that if they have to take out to check and they come back to say theres nothing wrong it would be stupid not to get new part. I know you said before it was difficult to get to.

Cheers

Steve

 

[richypanic]

My problem was fairly instant and only prolonged due to trying to find out what was actually wrong and scaping the cash together! Garage said one fault on diagnostics but it wasnt that (cost £70 to read and "clear" fault codes!!!) I eventually bought a Vag com cable off ebay for £9.99 and stuck the car on the laptop and sure enough, was the crank speed sensor.
I have no idea if you can tell a faulty sensor cable once removed. iirc the garage said it was virtually impossible to tell just looking at one.
Also, those clutches are renowned for being stiff, something about golf parts. Ours is 6 ft long as opposed to original 3ft! Dont quote me on that mind!!
I reckon peace of mind and odds on chances are to replace the crank sensor.......

 

[richypanic]

To see the cable/sensor is tough enough due to its ridiculous position! Your dealer would have surely noticed while checking the car if it was loose (unlikely) or damaged. Basically, if you want to check it preoperly, you have to remove it. If you go through the effort and cost of labour of removing it, then you may as well replace it anyway!
One other thing, is it a 2.0 16v SX or 1.6 8v? Probably doesnt matter but mine is 2.0 16v SX...

I feel for you, I was soooooooo f'ing annoyed until resolved!!!

 

[finracer]

Hiya, sorry haven't replied for a while, have been away. My Cordy is the 1.6 16v.

I have spoken to the dealer who looked at my car and spoke to the actual mechanic who looked at it. He said it is'nt a fiddly job to get to it, and asked if with the diagnostics it could tell if the speed sensor was going to fail, or had failed and how reliable the system. He said it was reliable but could not 100% gaurantee. It has been running, touch wood, fine since.
What I am going to do though is bring the service forward a month and get it looked at at my usual dealer as I have a few other things that need doing too. It's a smaller garage but a much more hands on one. And less expensive too!

Thanks for all your help, it been much appreciated