mtg Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Looking for a schematic for 2008 Outback dashboard. Specifically looking for 'Oil Sensor' and 'Oil Light' wiring. Thanks in advance, MTG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legacy777 Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Welcome to the USMB. I'm going to move your thread to the New gen forum where it may get some more visibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Need to post more info. 2.5/3.0. In either case, here is a link to 2008 fsm. You'll have to look. Its a big pdf (5800+ pages), but it has all models. http://people.csail.mit.edu/ilh/vacation/ O. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Thank you OCEI77. I have a 2.5i. My Oil Warning system seems to work, but doesn't detect a low oil condition (which I thought was the primary point). The usual way of discovering this is to get a big leak, then drive up and down hills at freeway speeds until you fry the motor. Oil pan dry, but no oil light. Testing with the new motor a little more controlled way. Even with a new motor and sensor, it still doesn't detect a low oil condition (½ quart). It would be great to be able to trust my car again... still making payments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Suby oil pressure mil is set too low for comfort.3/4 psi IIRC. We can only keep a check on our level. If the level is good and you are getting flashing, then something may be up with the pump/the sensor.. In case you didn't find it, the oil system section starts on p 341 of the pdf I sent a link to. O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 (edited) I check the oil when I get gas. Last check was full and golden. I think that should be often enough, since we have an oil warning system. When my engine fried, there was no oil light. The oil stick was dry and gummy. Don't you have to have oil to have oil pressure?? Edited March 14, 2013 by mtg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 15, 2013 Share Posted March 15, 2013 "Not on the stick" doesnt mean "No Oil". Oil can be only 1.5 qts low to be off of the dipstick entirely, leaving 3 qts of oil in the sump which is more than enough to adequately lubricate a 2.5. At any one time only roughly 1qt of oil is in circulation theough the entire oil feed system. (Pickup, pump, filter, galleries, crankshaft, camshafts and valve train) The oil light probably never came on because there was still oil being pumped through the block. Sounds to me more like the engine overheated, but there are several factors which can lead to engine failure without much warning. The oil pressure switch is easy to find and test. The first test is to turn the key ON, but do not start. The oil lamp should illuminate. If it does not, the bulb can be faulty, wiring cam be faulty, or the switch can be faulty. The second test is to locate the oil pressure switch directly below the alternator. Remove the wire from the switch and jump it to ground. With the key ON the oil lamp should illuminate. If it does not the bulb or wiring has failed. If the lamp does illuminate (but did not in the prior test) the switch has failed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted March 15, 2013 Author Share Posted March 15, 2013 (edited) The oil light works fine. Just doesn't detect low oil condition. Tested with only ½ quart, and oil light still doesn't light. This is after replacing the engine and oil sensor. Edited March 16, 2013 by mtg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted March 16, 2013 Share Posted March 16, 2013 Right, its a low PRESSURE switch, not a Low Level switch. If the pump is able to create even just a few psi of oil pressure the light will stay off, regardless of oil level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted March 16, 2013 Author Share Posted March 16, 2013 I've owned more than 30 cars. Every one of them lit the oil light when the oil got low... including 2 Subaru's. Hard to trust a car when the safety/warning features don't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted January 9, 2014 Author Share Posted January 9, 2014 (edited) It is my understanding that Subaru started including an oil-level sensor again in 2009. Did they do a recall on previous ones? Edited January 9, 2014 by mtg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 I've owned more than 30 cars. Every one of them lit the oil light when the oil got low... including 2 Subaru's. Hard to trust a car when the safety/warning features don't work. And i have owbed 15 (pity me one Italian) and they all had OIL PRESSURE switches, not oil level switches. It really depends upon the design of the oil pan and pickup as to whether the oil pressure is affected by low oil level alone. Granted if you let the oil level get low enough it will turn on the oil pressure light, but that is not what it is there for nor meant for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 They've never had an oil level sensor until 2010 I believe. Your 2008 has three PRESSURE sensors, one for each head (they give the ECU feedback when it comes to controlling the variable valve timing) and the main sensor on top of the block directly under the alternator. If you're frying engines, maybe you should be checking the oil more often. Also, keep your oil change interval to 3k miles as the oil will break down and cause the rings to wear after that mileage. Once the rings wear, it will start consuming oil and even if you don't have a leak, the oil will disappear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 10, 2014 Share Posted January 10, 2014 i too wish the indications for engine temps and oil were clearer and more helpful. I've owned more than 30 cars. Every one of them lit the oil light when the oil got low... including 2 Subaru's. Which year/make/model Subarus had oil level lights? I've never seen or heard of one. It is my understanding that Subaru started including an oil-level sensor again in 2009. Did they do a recall on previous ones? i'm sure there's not a recall. but maybe you could add one to your 2008? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 my personal opinion - far too many people are far to reliant on the dash lights - they are called "idiot lights" for good reason - usually by the time the light comes on it is far too late to do any good. I have owned many cars over the years - Fords, Chevys, a Geo, a couple of Chrysler products, and 3 Subarus - and drove semi truck for 18 years (drove Peterbuilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, Sterling, International, Mack, etc, etc, with Catepillar, Cummins, Detroit and Mack engines), and to my knowledge they ALL had oil pressure switches. If you keep a regular check on your car's fluid levels, you shouldn't need to rely on any light. Thinking the car isnt reliable because the light didnt come on with the oil a 1/2 quart low is just silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 i too wish the indications for engine temps and oil were clearer and more helpful. Which year/make/model Subarus had oil level lights? I've never seen or heard of one. i'm sure there's not a recall. but maybe you could add one to your 2008? I haven't done a recall. Any ideas on where to start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted January 13, 2014 Author Share Posted January 13, 2014 If Subaru never used Oil Level Sensors, but my old Subaru's detected low oil.... could it be as simple as buying an old sensor? Even a wrecking yard one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Could mean that your older roos had more wear on the bearings or the pump so they were more sensitive to lower oil levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtg Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 Suby oil pressure mil is set too low for comfort.3/4 psi IIRC. O. What was the PSI in 1995? Where would I find this information? Thanks again, MTG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocei77 Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) 95 FSM says 2,1 psi for activation of light. Data in lubrication section on specifications page.(last pdf in section) O. Edited January 21, 2014 by ocei77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 The Justy is 2 PSI also. That low some damage is being done. Also if it is 2PSI at the switch, it may be zero someplace else in the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 if the oil level is low enough, the pickup will not suck oil momentarily while the car is in motion and the oil is sloshing around. Or it's moving around enough, but settles below the pickup while stopped, the oil light could come on as there are momentary losses in pressure. During a 3,000 mile oil change interval, it's not abnormal for a vehicle to use up to a quart in between changes, requiring the oil to be checked and added as necessary. Relying strictly on oil change levels does not guarantee suffiicent oil without physically observing the dipstick oil level. The engine will naturally use up oil from combustion in the cylinders as the oil is coating the cylinders and piston rings, and by crankcase ventilation thru the PCV valve. Some oil also will weep past the seals as it is under pressure, even though the seal is not failed or leaking. It's a fact of life that a Subaru of any sort will use a quart of oil now and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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