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The oil level sensor works to read the oil levels in the car engine and this information is displayed on the dashboard for the driver to enable oil levels to be topped up when required.
The location of the oil level sensor will vary from vehicle to vehicle. Depending on the make, year and model of vehicle, the oil level sensor will be positioned on the passenger side or the driver's side of the engine, located in the side of the oil tank. A double wired harness is plugged into the sensor, with a connector attaching directly to the sensor. The oil level sensor should sit tightly secured inside the oil tank.
The purpose of the oil level sensor is to provide the driver with accurate oil level read outs to help prevent the car running out of oil. The oil level sensor is usually made up of a float which is connected to a metal rod, which is attached to a variable resistor (an electrical apparatus designed to counteract or resist electrical current). As the oil is used, the float lowers in the oil tank. As the float lowers it runs along a moving contact on the resistor which increases the resistance of the float. The oil level sensor detects the resistance levels and the oil level indicator on the dashboard reflects this by slowly moving down, or merely indicates with the aid of a light when oil levels are low. Instead of this resistive type of oil sensor, some modern oil level sensors are capacitive level measurement sensors. These are a more accurate electronic or magnetic type of sensor with no moving parts which function to provide precise oil level measurement and enable reliable oil level readout.