I'm geting ready to transplant a different engine into my 89 Iroc. The block is a Dart Little M and it was not possible to fit it with a dipstick during assembly (we tapped & plugged the dipstick hole since the dipstick itself would hit the windage tray & main stud when we preassembeled the engine for clearance). Since the car is going to see quite a bit of street use I am very uncomfortable not having a way to check the oil level, so I decided to drill & tap the oil pan & install a GM Low oil level sending unit & wire it up to a light that will illuminate if the oil level gets low. I went to my local GM dealer and bought a GM part number 12579985 sending unit. these units were used on late 90s Buick Park Ave's. What I need to know is, Does any one know how the unit works "at what point does the does the unit light up the bulb'" ? I need to know this so I'll know where to mount the unit in the pan. I also bought the two wire plug-in for the sending unit and it would also be helpful if someone that knows how it should be wired, would give me a few pointers.


Thanks, Bruce

 

I'm not sure about the part number you provided, but the level sensors in the LT1s in my Impalas are plain magnetic reed switches. You can wire them directly to a load provided it is less than 50mA. They are a 20mm x 1.5 thread, which may be the same.

 

The easiest way to figure out where it switchs is to use a mock setup and find out when the switch closes. One of the switchs leads will be a power and the other will lead to the light. Then just ground out the light and your in business.

 

Thanks for the reply's fellas & Sorry for the slow reply " The family & I have been out of the State on vacation".
I think I can mock set-up the sensor in something such as a coffee can & temporary wire it the way that you guys have suggested. This will let me know at what point the sensor is activated and hopefully I can mount it in the oil pan at the proper level on the first attempt. My only worry is frying the sensor as it cost nearly 40 Bucks!

Thanks Again, Bruce :hail: