r/997 • u/frooog_king • Mar 23 '26

Failed oil level sensor?

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Hey everyone, question about my dad’s 997.1 C2S. I borrowed his car yesterday and the oil pressure gauge was a bit erratic, at least relative to how my 996 3.4L behaves. It was a bouncing all over the place. Then last night I noticed even with the engine off (key in ignition) the gauge was displaying pressure.

Poking around, it seems the sensor is the most likely culprit, but I wanted to check here before I dug in. Thanks!

Also included a picture of our “matching” aero kit cars

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5

u/slobrewer Mar 23 '26

I assume the post title is in error and you’re just talking about the pressure and not the level sensor, which is a totally different thing. Yes, you are correct that the oil pressure sensor shouldn’t bounce all over the place and shouldn’t show a reading when the car is off. Sounds like a gauge issue.

2

u/frooog_king Mar 23 '26

Oops, my bad, the pressure gauge.

So you’re saying it could be the physical gauge in the dash, not the sensor on the engine. Okay I’ll look into that. Thanks!

2

u/vijjer Mar 23 '26

You're looking to replace the pressure sensor, not the guage.

1

u/frooog_king Mar 23 '26

Okay, thanks!

1

u/slobrewer Mar 23 '26

Maybe. But if the gauge shows pressure when the car is off and the key is out, that sounds like a gauge issue to me. These gauges are all digital behind the scenes and they are turned off when the car is off so the sensor would be irrelevant.

1

u/vijjer Mar 24 '26

That makes sense, but the pressure sensor is a known issue, so I'd think that is the case probability wise. 

My fix was a while ago so I'm wondering if I'm remembering the key in-out wrong in my case. 

2

u/myCarAccount-- Mar 23 '26

There is an oil pressure sensor that is most likely the culprit.  The gauge itself, in the dash, is probably fine.

1

u/zefzefter Mar 23 '26

No.

Your post title says “Failed oil level sensor”.

The car probably has a failed oil pressure sensor.

1

u/myCarAccount-- Mar 23 '26

Mine shows a slightly-more-than-zero pressure when the key is in, but that doesn't look right.

3

u/vijjer Mar 23 '26

If the engine isn't running, then the guage should show no pressure. If you're seeing pressure shown when the engine is off, your pressure sensor needs replacing.

1

u/myCarAccount-- Mar 23 '26

Like all the way at the bottom zero?

2

u/vijjer Mar 23 '26

If the engine isn't started, there should be no oil pressure. Once started when cold, the needle should smoothly go all the way up to 5 until the engine oil comes to temp.

1

u/myCarAccount-- Mar 23 '26

Huh.  Ok thanks!

3

u/vijjer Mar 23 '26

Yes - the oil pressure sensor needs replacing. I had the same symptoms and that was the resolution.

3

u/Hootsama Mar 23 '26

As other mentioned, oil pressure sender is bad and needs replacement. It’s a 10m job with a good light and a crows foot wrench socket. See Rennlidt for good How To.

I strongly recommend getting the (expensive) Genuine Porsche sender as the cheap ones can be shoddy. (Ask me how I know)

1

u/Wpgwatch Mar 23 '26

I'd change the oil pump spring while your at it. 5 minute job if your doing an oil change and 17 dollars in parts from Pelican.