Oil level sensor VAZ 2110: how it works and why it is needed

Even a novice among car enthusiasts, while driving a car, will find the oil level sensor light on the dashboard without any problems. But not everyone is able to adequately respond to a situation when this light is on and does not want to go out.

As soon as the oil level sensor on a VAZ 2110 stops working, many car owners try to get to the nearest service station as quickly as possible to fix the breakdown. But is it worth doing? If you have at least basic knowledge in the field of repair, and also have an instruction manual at hand, it is quite possible to solve the issue yourself. At the same time, the financial costs will be incomparable compared to what you will pay at a car service center.

How does he work

First you need to understand how exactly this sensor functions.

The device itself is based on measuring resistance. It is immersed in engine oil. In this situation, the resistance is at its maximum values.

If oil leaks from the crankcase, resistance drops, causing a warning to appear on the instrument panel.

It is the oil level sensor that is responsible for providing the command. With its help, the lubricant level is monitored, and the driver promptly learns that the amount of oil has decreased and appropriate measures must be taken.

But there are situations in which the sensor itself stops working. Because of this, the electronic control unit receives erroneous data and a warning light lights up on the panel, although everything is fine with the oil.

Consequently, you have to intervene in the design of the machine, look for an oil sensor in it and replace it with a new measuring device.

Why does the DUM lamp light up?

Fault indicator

There may be only two reasons for this in total.

1. The oil sensor has broken down, or its contacts have oxidized, which is why the device can be considered faulty.
2. The oil level has dropped below critical.

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Functionality check

More or less experienced drivers can determine that it is the sensor that is causing confusion in the car’s operation, since there are no noticeable signs of oil leakage. Therefore, the first priority is to check the condition of the device that monitors the lubricant level.

The check is performed as follows:

• The car is placed on an overpass or inspection hole;
• The motor protection is removed. It can be put aside for a while;
• Now find the oil level sensor in the underbody space;
• Turn on the car's ignition. This way you can supply power to a device that may have failed;
• Disconnect the wires going to the sensor;
• Using a voltmeter, connect the probes to ground and the connecting block;
• If the voltmeter shows 12 volts, then the sensor is working normally.

But in the absence of tension, we can talk about one of three reasons for such a situation:

• The display unit is broken;
• There are defects on the contacts;
• There is a break in the wiring in the sensor circuit.

Therefore, if the wiring is in good condition and the contacts are clean, then further actions will consist of replacing the fuel level sensor on your VAZ 2110.

Replacing the sensor

Replacing this sensor is a simple task that anyone can do. To carry out the replacement, you only need one 10mm wrench and the desire to repair the car yourself.

It is better to carry out work from the inspection hole and when installing a new sensor, replace the sealing ring with a new one, having previously lubricated it with sealant.

• Remove the connector from the sensor and unscrew the bolt securing the sensor to the engine block.

• We take out the sensor and treat the surface to remove old oil.

• Install the new sensor in reverse order.

Marking

All engines of the VAZ-2110 family use one type of part, the catalog number of which is: 21083-3839210-03.

The price of spare parts, depending on the retail chain, is 250–400 rubles. You can find products from domestic manufacturers, as well as Chinese parts. In appearance, they can be easily distinguished by the color of the float. For repairs, original spare parts bearing the LADA brand are preferred.

What is the sensor intended for and how does it work?

The name of the sensor speaks for itself. Its role is to monitor the oil level, and when the oil in the engine becomes too low, it notifies the driver about this. That is, this sensor acts as a thermometer in the oil pan, only it measures not the temperature, but the level of the substance contained. It cannot show what the engine oil level is at a given time.

Its main task is to notify the driver that there is very little oil left. An unplanned oil leak may take the driver by surprise, but a device such as an oil level sensor will alert the driver and prevent an accident. When the warning light on the control system comes on, it indicates a low oil level. After such a signal, the task of each driver is to turn off the car, and then begin to understand the cause of the leak. This must be done in order not to damage the engine, which will operate without oil, because repairs will be very expensive.

The design of the sensor is quite banal and does not have any supernatural purposes. The principle of operation is based on a magnet which affects the reed switch. The principle of the influence of a magnet on a reed switch works like this: when the sensor is immersed in oil, the magnet does not affect the reed switch, and if there is not enough oil in the crankcase, then an impact occurs and the reed switch closes, signaling an insufficient amount of oil. A light comes on on the center console and an annoying beep sounds.

Catalog numbers for the oil level sensor for VAZ 2110:

• 21083-3839210-03/38.3839;
• 21083-3839210-03;
• 21083-3839210;
• 38.3839/21083-3839210-03.

Note to car owners

Quite often, the self-replacement procedure ends in a fiasco, since installing a new device does not give any result; lubricating fluid continues to flow from under it.

But the point here is not at all the crookedness of your hands or lack of repair experience. If you did everything according to the instructions, the culprit in this situation is no longer you, but the sensor itself.

Statistics show that approximately 40% of all auto parts sold on the market are counterfeits.

Therefore, your task is to take the defect you purchased along with the receipt and go to the store where you purchased it. The store employees are obliged to exchange the device for you or return your money. Of course, if you do not save the receipt, you will not be able to return the money or change the sensor according to the law. Therefore, think twice before throwing away this piece of paper.

Another important piece of advice is to avoid such purchases on so-called spontaneous markets. This is where the largest number of fakes and defective devices are concentrated. There are many reliable, certified outlets selling auto parts. If you go to a service station to replace the sensor, you will have to pay more than if you repair it yourself, but you will be provided with a quality guarantee. A kind of protection against counterfeiting.

Oil level sensor VAZ 2110: purpose and principle of operation

As the name suggests, the oil level sensor serves to monitor it and also alert the driver when the level is critically low. In fact, the sensor partially performs the function of a dipstick in the oil pan. It does not show what level is in the engine at the current moment. It only tells us that there is either no oil in the oil pan at all or critically little . This can be vital if a large oil leak suddenly occurs. For example, the crankcase sump is broken, or the crankshaft bearing has been squeezed out due to excess pressure and the entire contents of the sump are evenly distributed throughout the engine compartment.

As soon as the oil level drops, the warning light on the on-board control system (OBS) panel lights up and the buzzer sounds. Our task is not to miss this moment and immediately turn off the engine, and only then understand the causes of the leak. Because every second of engine operation without lubrication threatens at least a major overhaul.

Oil level sensor device VAZ 2110

The oil pressure sensor is a simple reed switch device. Its operating principle is based on the influence of a magnet on a reed switch element. When the sensor is immersed in oil, the float with a built-in magnet is in the upper position and does not affect the reed element.

Operating principle of the sensor

As soon as the oil level drops, the float also drops, and the magnet built into it closes the contacts of the reed element . One contact of the element is connected to engine ground, the second to the on-board control system (OBS) panel on the center console. There is also a level indicator lamp there.

When the contact on the reed switch is closed, the lamp lights up and the computer emits a most obnoxious sound signal.

Where is

In the tenth VAZ model it can be located in two places, which depends on how many valves the engine has.

For 2110 8 valves, it is located in the rear right part of the engine, in the cylinder head socket, not far from the belt guard. It is easy to find by the single wire.

Drivers of a VAZ with a 16-valve working unit will have to look for it in a slightly different place. It is also located behind the engine, but to the left. The sensor is mounted on the camshaft block. There is also one wire coming from it, but nearby there are two bundles of cables protected with black insulation.

Important information to note

It happens that after replacing the oil pressure sensor, oil begins to leak through the new one. You buy a new one, change it, after a while the situation repeats itself. What causes this?

The most common cause of such a malfunction is due to defective sensors, even new ones purchased in a store, and not on a tray around the corner. Many car owners complain about similar problems that they have to change the sweat several times in a row.

However, in such a case, we recommend contacting a car service to find out the real reason, so that you don’t end up with a lot of stupid fuss, as already described above.

Part device

The design of the product itself is elementary. It is a normally open sealed contact (reed switch) connected to the on-board control system warning lamp.

The contact is located inside a curved tube, outside of which the float slides freely. There is a magnetic washer inside the float, the field of which is capable of closing the reed switch contact. When the sensor tube is immersed in oil, the float floats and the electrical circuit opens. But if there is no lubricant in the crankcase, the float drops to the lower position and the magnet acts on the reed switch contact, closing the circuit. The sensor connection is single-wire, the second wire is the engine ground.

Oil level sensor for VAZ 2110 - design and repair

VAZ-2110 engines have such important parts as a sensor that measures temperature and a pressure sensor; there is also an oil level sensor, which is not particularly important, but may be useful to someone. People who use their car for city driving may not even know that they have such a sensor, especially if there are no problems with the oil level.

Oil level sensor VAZ 2110. How to check and replace

The oil level sensor in VAZ 2110 engines, and indeed the entire tenth family, is not as critically important as, for example, an oil pressure sensor or a temperature sensor. If we operate a car in the city, we may not even know about its presence, unless the warning lamp reminds us of itself when we turn on the ignition. But this is the case when the level is ok. How to change the oil level sensor on a VAZ 2110, where it is located, what functions it performs, we will figure it out together.

The principle of operation of the oil level sensor on the VAZ-2110

There are several types of liquid level sensors, but the engines of front-wheel drive VAZs use the simplest one - the resistive type. It does not indicate the level in a graduated manner, but allows you to determine whether there is oil in the crankcase or not . We can do the same thing, but more accurately, using a dipstick, with the only difference being that the level sensor will react to the leak instantly while driving and the warning light will light up.

A float-type oil level sensor may malfunction due to high viscosity or thickening of the lubricant in the engine.

The operation of the sensor is based on measuring resistance.

When the working element is immersed in oil, the resistance of the element is maximum and the level lamp does not light up. As soon as the oil level drops below the critical level, the resistance drops, and the ECU turns on the emergency oil level warning lamp on the instrument panel. That's all the work.

But like any sensor, the level sensor fails and can produce incorrect data, misleading the electronic control unit and the driver .

Functionality check

If the dipstick shows that everything is fine with the oil level, we will look for the cause either in the sensor itself or in the wiring. Checking the functionality of the device is carried out as follows:

1. We install the car on a viewing hole, a lift or an overpass.
2. Remove the engine protection.

The engine splash guard is secured at the front with five nuts (1), at the sides with four self-tapping screws (2) and at the rear with two bolts (3)

The sensor is located near the oil filter.

Disconnect the power cable from the sensor.

Replacement will be quick and easy, and for this you need to have a 10mm socket or socket wrench or a socket.

Prices and articles

If we nevertheless determine that the sensor is faulty, we will have to replace it. Depending on the manufacturer, it can cost from 300 to 500 rubles. Original catalog numbers - 21083-3839210-03/38.3839, 21083-3839210-03, 21083-3839210, 38.3839/21083-3839210-03 . Each of these devices is suitable for a ten engine.

Changing the oil level sensor on a VAZ-2110 with your own hands

For a car that spends its entire life on asphalt highways, the oil level sensor is not the most important device. It only warns that there is a critical oil leak in the engine. The first reason for this is a broken pan. However, the design of all VAZ-2110 engines includes an oil level sensor. What kind of device is this and how to replace it, let’s figure it out right now.