oil pan differences

[3100 MPFI]

I am replacing my knocking 1995 3.4 DOHC in my 1995 Cutlass Supreme with a 1994 3.4 DOHC from a 1994 Cutlass Supreme convertible.

So far, other than breaking the timing cover, and swapping it out, all of this has gone fairly smoothly. I have only found 1 difference between the engines, and I need to know how this is going to effect me.

First of all, the 1995 oil pan has what I am guessing to be an OIL LEVEL SENSOR on it that the 1994 pan does not have. I was going to swap the pans out, but the 1995 has a crack in it (huge dent that creased the metal). This sensor is located towards the front of the car kinda behind the starter.

If I don't have this sensor hooked up, is it going to do anything stupid? I know it will probably turn a light on or something, but just leaving the connector unplugged, is it going to have a light, or not want to run?

I figure that if it is not going to run, I can just swap in a 1994 ECM (seeing that my 1994 engine does not have this sensor at all).

Is not having this sensor (1994 engine in a 1995 car) going to cause me any problems, or dash lights?

Pics, of said sensors:

[pocket-rocket]

I would grab a book and see if the ECM looks at that sensor. If not, I wouldn't worry about it unless it does something like cut off the fuel pump if the level gets low.

[lkurek]

It is definately the oil level sensor, and is the reason you have the low oil light on your dash..... Either jump the connector or leave it open....whichever turns the light off. I don't think the PCM looks at the sensor for anytning.....but I can't confirm 100%

[pocket-rocket]

Or run a wire for it so the light is functional

[lkurek]

That's his problem.....the new pan doesn't have the fitting for the oil level sensor. If I recall, he put a 94 or earlier motor into a 95 car....

The new (good?) oil pan didn't have the sensor

[3100 MPFI]

Yeah. The 1994 engine is almost 100% identical to the 1995 engine other than the oil pan. My 1995 pan was messed up so that is why I didn't swap it out.

The light seems to come on intermittantly. I think I might just pull the cluster, and then remove the bulb.

[lkurek]

Problem solved

Hey Taylor.....are you getting my PM's on the cover(s)? I really need to get something going on that.....so let me know what you want to do.

Thanks!!!

[3100 MPFI]

I got them. What you said sounds fine.

[pocket-rocket]

Ah, ok, my bad. That is what I get for posting late at night Too bad looking at the size of that plug, it looks like the unit is a bit to large to try to drill a hole and tap it.

[3100 MPFI]

the newer pan is indented where the sensor goes, and the older pan is not. I can't just add it in.

so far, I am getting an intermittant low oil light. I am going to try shorting out the plug, and see if that keeps the light off. If it does not, then I will just remove the bulb from the cluster.