Error code 30 - low oil pressure

[ssrider]

I was cruising at about 80mph on the trail yesterday and all of a sudden the sled started slowing down and shut itself off. The engine light was flashing with code 30. I called my dealer and found this code indicated the motor detected low oil pressure and shut itself down so I towed it home. I'm worried this could be a serious problem. Any idea where to start looking?

I had already put on 170 miles yesterday before this happened and the sled was running perfect. It is a 2009 nytro rtx with 3800 miles and regular oil changes. Oh and the sled still has the proper oil level.

 

[Mountaintech]

I'd be looking at the oil pressure switch and associated wiring. The switch may well have failed. It's located on the back of the block to the left of the oil filter.

 

[stubb111]

what was the oil level?

 

[ssrider]

Is there a way I can test the oil pressure switch? And the oil level is still at the full mark

 

[stubb111]

i belive there's a link on here for testing it, can't remember where though....

 

[ssrider]

I traced the wire from the oil pressure sensor back to the harness and the wire is not warn through anywhere and looks in good condition. The oil level was on the lower end of the hatched marking so I filled it up to the top mark and tried starting the sled again. It ran for about 10 seconds before shutting off and giving me the 30 error code again. Maybe its just because all the panels are off right now, but there seems to be a lot more valve noise while the engine is running. Is there anything else I can do before taking it to the dealer? I'm praying my motor isn't toast.

 

[LSXM3]

Well you could go get a cheap oil pressure gauge and remove the sensor and screw the pressure gauge into the block to see what it is at actually

 

[Mooseman]

Try unplugging the oil level sensor. Had a similar issue after changing the lower oil tank hose. Refilled it and it gave that code and shut down. Checked the oil level, it was low. Filled it, tried it again, it shut down. Unplugged the sensor and it ran fine. I replugged it was fine. I think it either just takes a while for that sensor to register properly or it may have been stuck.

 

[LSXM3]

Well you could go get a cheap oil pressure gauge and remove the sensor and screw the pressure gauge into the block to see what it is at actually

 

[ssrider]

Tried unplugging the oil level sensor and it still is giving me the error code 30. Does anybody know how to test the sensor? I will have to pick up an oil pressure gauge and test it manually if needed, but I would like to rule out the switch first if possible. if I did end up losing oil pressure what kind of damage to the motor could I be looking at? Would it be worth fixing?

 

[cannondale27]

With sled off and no oil pressure.Switch should have continuity from the terminal to ground.With it running the switch should NOT have continuity.If it does either switch is bad or you have no oil pressure.Mine failed opposite of what you see.Code 85 open circuit oil pressure sensor.Continuity is tested with a OHM meter.0 or close to it is what you want to see with sled off.If you have a ohm meter with beeper it should beep with sled off and not when running.

 

[ssrider]

I'm having a heck of a time finding an oil pressure gauge with a fitting that matches the oil pressure sensor. Where have other people found one that works? It appears to be a metric pipe thread?

 

[Mtnviper]

I'm having a heck of a time finding an oil pressure gauge with a fitting that matches the oil pressure sensor. Where have other people found one that works? It appears to be a metric pipe thread?

It's British standard pipe thread.......... ya thats what I thought too when I figured it out! LOL Apparently its fairly common outside the US.
http://www.jwwinco.com/technical/bsp.htm

Bill

 

[ssrider]

Thanks for that info Bill. Apparently it is not that common outside the US either. I live in Canada and have never heard of it, and neither have any of the stores I have gone to. I have tried autoparts stores, boiler and instrumentation stores, specialty fastener stores,, nobody can get me a thread adapter or gauge with this fitting! Where did you end up finding one?

 

[trlbrkr]

This happened to a friend's sled last year while riding. The dealer tried a new switch with out luck and then by chance noticed the oil tanks lower oil line was bent and pinched, there was no mark on the exterior of sled but my friend remembers hitting a stick..