Hi Guys,

I have a 2004 2.2 ulyssse eleganza and recently the oil pressure alarm goes on after driving for 15-20 minutes and only when the car is idle. Other than that it runs fine. Any thoughts about what is causing it? The oil level is as it should be so it's not that. It has been suggested that it's the oil pressure sensor. If that's the case can someone tell me where it is? Forgive the ignorance. Thanks in advance...

Any thoughts about what is causing it?

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It may well be your oil pressure sender switch. This is a common fault across all makes of car. If the sender becomes faulty it can cause the oil light to flicker at idle speeds (usually).

The sender works by converting oil pressure to an electrical signal which is sent to the engine management system - your warning light - or, also on some cars, to an oil pressure gauge.

If the unit is faulty the voltage sent out is wrong - hence the warning. There's actually nothing wrong with the oil pressure, it's just an electrical fault.

Your oil pressure transmitter will be somewhere on the side of the engine - usually just below the cylinder head and probably at the front of the engine. It's a simple screw-in unit.

Here's a link to show what it may look like:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...ulyssse+eleganza+oil+pressure+sender&_sacat=0

Take it to a garage, preferably one that's a little 'oldschool' and get them to check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.

They'll show you where the oil pressure sensor is at the same time, as that's where the gauge goes.


I don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings and I hope it's just a dodgy sensor, but low oil pressure at warm idle is a classic sign of a worn engine (big ends or mains).

Steve145 said:

Take it to a garage, preferably one that's a little 'oldschool' and get them to check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.

They'll show you where the oil pressure sensor is at the same time, as that's where the gauge goes.


I don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings and I hope it's just a dodgy sensor, but low oil pressure at warm idle is a classic sign of a worn engine (big ends or mains).

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The engine has done over 200,000 miles and is a diesel...I suppose it's not worth fixing!!

I'd still get it checked, these engines are capable of way more than that.

If it's just the sensor, a new one is only a few pounds.

If it's the bottom end of the engine, just run it until it dies, it might go on for years yet, particularly if you avoid harsh acceleration.