Community Forums

AlainLe · 05-10-2009, 01:30 PM

We have a W21 2009 Workhorse chassis Winnebago Sightseer 35J. One month after we got it a computer message <engine oil level low> came on. We checked to oil level...its ok. We took our motorhome for the first oil change and the Workhorse dealer checked the oil pan sensor, he disconnected the sensor and asked me to check if message gone, it was still there. They concluded that the computer is the problem. Any thoughts? Thanks

wa8yxm · 05-10-2009, 02:23 PM

Well.. Just one and you done did that already (Check with an expert) Since I do not know how the sensor works (Open or closed for "low" I'd guess it's "closed = low" since the service tech disconnected it, There are only 4 possible issues, 2 have been eliminated

1: Oil really is low (You checked, NOTE... Your dipstick could be too long and the oil really low)

2: Bad sensor (Tech says, not, I won't argue with him, one assumes he knows what he is doing)

3: Bad computer (OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

4: Bad wire in harness.. (This one, either short or open, can be fixed easily if you can find it)

By they way..... My money is on item #4

Rocky 2 · 05-13-2009, 04:48 PM

I believe that if the tech at a workhorse service center says it is a bad computer, have them fix it on warranty and let them worry about it.

cj5 jeeper · 05-13-2009, 09:37 PM

My 2008 UFO has a front computer, and a rear computer. I had several computer problems that several shops could not find until the motor quit completely.
The problem was a loose connector between the front and rear computers.

paz · 05-14-2009, 08:51 AM

I suspect a bad sensor. I don't think disconnecting the sensor is a valid way to test it. If the system is designed properly, it should be "fail safe." This means if the sensor fails or a wire comes off, you will get a low oil warning. If it were the other way around, the sensor could fail and you would never know it. If you didn't know the sensor failed, you could run low of oil and not get a warning.

I had a bad oil level sensor in our motorhome when it was brand new. Workhorse didn't even have a part number listed since the sensor comes with the 8.1 liter engine from GM. If you determine your sensor is bad, check with a Chevrolet or GMC dealer for the part. My local Chevy dealer even had the sensor in stock, so it must not be that rare for it to fail.

EngineerMike · 05-14-2009, 09:39 AM

probably not computer as that is way rare. sensors are cheep cheep cheep made in cheena, and way more likely. even the wire theory #4 is way more likely. I hear tech's say its the computer quite a bit, and it has never been the computer.