Valve cover leak and oil pressure switch problem** Updated Post 57**

[Wyley87]

Ok so obviously as the title says I have a valve cover leak as well as an oil pressure switch problem.

We've had our '05 X since 73k miles it now has about 130k miles on it. Both the valve cover, gasket, and sensor were replaced around the same time we got it due to a leak. The dealer that did the work said the sensor failed due to the oil leaking on it. The second time the front timing cover was leaking supposedly caused the second sensor to fail.

The extended Warrenty company said the sensor was not covered the second time because it was "collateral" damage. So I replaced it my self with a Borg Warner unit from Oriellys.

Fast forward to now the valve cover is leaking again and the sensor is out again and Warrenty has ran out. Go figure. I plugged my snap on solus in and the oil pressure switch shows to be off with the engine running.

I have read the FSM on how to replace it and place to do a coolant exchange since I'm draining it anyway.

However my question is can the sensor really go out from oil dripping on it? Or is that total BS?


Sent from my iPhone 4s

 

[PenguinLTZ]

Re: Valve cover leak and oil pressure switch problem

What the hell is an '05 X ?

 

[Wyley87]

Lol sorry it's a Nissan Xterra. I copy/pasted the post from the xterra forum too. On that forum everyone just calls it and "X".


Sent from my iPhone 4s

 

[Bigredmariner]

Re: Valve cover leak and oil pressure switch problem

It's possible that the sensor has gone bad from oil leaking on it. It is a little unheard of though, possibly clean the connectors real good with brake clean or contact cleaner and check again before you replace the sensor.

Another thing to try is unplug the sensor and jump the contacts in the harness and check to see if the condition clears or not, also you could check continuity of the switch with engine off and then with the engine on. Seeing if the switch actually switches when oil pressure increases.

 

[Wyley87]

Good ideas I will try both.

I've been told that the oil psi gauge in the dash is full functioning and not an "idiot" guage. Which would make sence becuase i can watch it rise and fall on acell/decel.

Will the testing be the same for the sensor?


Sent from my iPhone 4s

 

[Bigredmariner]

Re: Valve cover leak and oil pressure switch problem

The sensor that is bad, is it a switch or transducer?

If it's a transducer, meaning there is a varying readout with pressure, or is it a switch. If it's a transducer don't jump it out. It may cause damage to the computer or something.

If it's just a switch that feeds an idiot light you can jump it to test, since it's just an on-off type switch.

 

[Wyley87]

Its defiantly a transducer. Plug has 3 wires and is a sealed type connection. It's was clean and dry on the inside.


Sent from my iPhone 4s

 

[Wyley87]

Also the sensor from oriellys has Warrenty so a new one would be free.


Sent from my iPhone 4s

 

[Bigredmariner]

Re: Valve cover leak and oil pressure switch problem

Its defiantly a transducer. Plug has 3 wires and is a sealed type connection. It's was clean and dry on the inside.


Sent from my iPhone 4s

Alright, in that case I wouldn't try to jump the thing and without a proper schematic it would be trial and error trying to get the leads of the meter on in the correct order to test the sensor.

 

[Wyley87]

According to my FSM on the sensor.

Black is ground
Gray is VCC
White is VOUT


Sent from my iPhone 4s