Bad oil pressure sensor?
 

As I was driving into work today, my Monte began flashing Oil Pressure low stop engine, and beeping like crazy in my ear. I pull over, and check the oil level, and it is fine. I start the car back up, it is no longer complaining. I start back down the road, and it starts doing it again. I pull over again, and check out everything. I don't hear anything unusual coming from the engine or anything. The only thing I can guess is that it is the oil pressure sensor. So, could it be the sensor, or should I check something else. Also, were is the sensor located?

It could very well be it. But only way to verify it is to put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the engine.

I assume the engine is a 3.8. The oil pressure switch is located immediately above the oil filter, and has a wire going to it. The other problem is the oil pressure relief valve could be stuck open causing the oil pressure to actually be low. Common failure on the 3.8. The normal failure mode for a bad oil pressure sensor is it will peg out to the max and stay there. Not saying that happens in every case, but it may not be the sensor that is the problem.

Do you hear any unusual noises coming from the engine that might indicate its not getting enough oil.

The engine is actually the 3.5. No, I didn't hear any unusual noises. It sounded normal to me.

on my 07, there is no pressure gauge and no pressure reading on the pcm live data. so i would guess its a level sensor that would be screwed in to the pan somewhere


edit: checked service manual and its on the pan toward the rear or the vehicle

Thanks for the help. I've been busy lately, and haven't been able to get on here. It turned out to be the oil pressure sensor. As soon as I replaced it, the problem went away.

I'm glad it was an easy fix.