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Oil level sender

Posted: Mon May 16, 2022 7:52 am
by gruhsy
Anyone know if the 86 turbo has any existing wiring for the oil level sender found in 87 on cars?

Did some searching with no results.

Re: Oil level sender

Posted: Mon May 16, 2022 8:52 am
by Tom
Not really. In the passenger footwell, the 86 has that square red connector with 4 pins (basically spade connectors) that carry the boost gauge and tach signals. When they added the oil level warning sensor, they changed that connector to a flat black connector, with 8 wires iirc, specifically to add the oil level signal. Wouldn't be that hard to add the circuit, but of course you'd need an oil pan with the port with correct oil pick-up tube (and I think dip stick), and you'd need a cluster with the oil level light. When I put my 3 liter together, I used the block off plate rather than wiring in the sensor and changing the cluster etc. I figured the chances I'd run that low on oil were pretty slim. :shifty:

Re: Oil level sender

Posted: Mon May 16, 2022 9:13 am
by gruhsy
That’s what I figured

I will have to check both harnesses I have.

I have gutted both the 86 turbo and the Rage2 87
Might be motivated to modify….although my pile keeps getting bigger

Re: Oil level sender

Posted: Mon May 16, 2022 9:28 am
by Tom
I remember going through all that when I built my motor, and would have to look up the details, but just make sure your oil pan and oil pick-up tube are made for each other. The later pans with the oil sender port took a different pick-up iirc.

Re: Oil level sender

Posted: Tue May 17, 2022 6:22 am
by Darwin
Tom wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 8:52 am Not really. In the passenger footwell, the 86 has that square red connector with 4 pins (basically spade connectors) that carry the boost gauge and tach signals. When they added the oil level warning sensor, they changed that connector to a flat black connector, with 8 wires iirc, specifically to add the oil level signal. Wouldn't be that hard to add the circuit, but of course you'd need an oil pan with the port with correct oil pick-up tube (and I think dip stick), and you'd need a cluster with the oil level light. When I put my 3 liter together, I used the block off plate rather than wiring in the sensor and changing the cluster etc. I figured the chances I'd run that low on oil were pretty slim. :shifty:
Does your car have a different plug under the dash for the DME/KLR diagnostic wires?

Re: Oil level sender

Posted: Tue May 17, 2022 6:41 am
by Tom
Darwin wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 6:22 am
Tom wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 8:52 am Not really. In the passenger footwell, the 86 has that square red connector with 4 pins (basically spade connectors) that carry the boost gauge and tach signals. When they added the oil level warning sensor, they changed that connector to a flat black connector, with 8 wires iirc, specifically to add the oil level signal. Wouldn't be that hard to add the circuit, but of course you'd need an oil pan with the port with correct oil pick-up tube (and I think dip stick), and you'd need a cluster with the oil level light. When I put my 3 liter together, I used the block off plate rather than wiring in the sensor and changing the cluster etc. I figured the chances I'd run that low on oil were pretty slim. :shifty:
Does your car have a different plug under the dash for the DME/KLR diagnostic wires?
The black rectangular one with the knock counter signal you mean? I think they are the same (other than where they are mounted)...?

Re: Oil level sender

Posted: Tue May 17, 2022 2:29 pm
by Darwin
Tom wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 6:41 am
Darwin wrote: Tue May 17, 2022 6:22 am
Tom wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 8:52 am Not really. In the passenger footwell, the 86 has that square red connector with 4 pins (basically spade connectors) that carry the boost gauge and tach signals. When they added the oil level warning sensor, they changed that connector to a flat black connector, with 8 wires iirc, specifically to add the oil level signal. Wouldn't be that hard to add the circuit, but of course you'd need an oil pan with the port with correct oil pick-up tube (and I think dip stick), and you'd need a cluster with the oil level light. When I put my 3 liter together, I used the block off plate rather than wiring in the sensor and changing the cluster etc. I figured the chances I'd run that low on oil were pretty slim. :shifty:
Does your car have a different plug under the dash for the DME/KLR diagnostic wires?
The black rectangular one with the knock counter signal you mean? I think they are the same (other than where they are mounted)...?
I don't have that one, I think. All mine go to the 8-pin. Was just curious comparing early to late.