Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

[Gary H NC]

Having a problem with our Saturn Aura.
It has 50k on the clock and just started this problem.
I keep getting a low oil warning on the digital display.
Checked the oil and it was a little less than 1/2 quart low.Topped it off and the warning went off.
That lasted about 100 miles and now the warning is back on.Shows full on the stick,no signs of leaks.Engine sounds fine.
It has only had synthetic oil and changed every 3 to 4k.
It has the oil monitor system that reads when the oil needs changed.It says 40% oil life left.
Does anyone know if the low oil warning could be due to low oil pressure or does it measure the oil in the pan?(no oil pressure gauge)
I want to check what i can before taking it to a dealer...

 

[dolluper]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Tsb ,,,,,check oil fiter
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Saturn/Aura/2007/tsbs.shtml

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Thanks dolluper....looks like a ton of SB's out on that car..
I found one for a front end rattle at low speeds...it does that too.
Going to the dealer for that one.
Its been a great car so far though...only thing i had to do was brakes a few weeks ago.The rear disc brakes were gone at 49k...? Front was 50%

Going to pick up a new filter and change the oil today.Hopefully that fixes it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Changed the oil and filter...still no luck.
The dealer was not much help either.At first they said there was a recall about that problem then changed their mind after running the VIN...

I tried to ask if there was a way to clear that code for the warning message but they would not answer...
Of course they want the 75 bucks an hour to look at it.

 

[xtraham]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Gary, look under the car at the oil pan, if it's a low oil level sensor it will be about 3" up one side of the pan, it may just be gunked up, try unplugging the sensor and see if the light goes out, if not try jumping the terminals on the harness end and see if the light goes out. If it does you need that sensor.
If it's a low oil pressure problem replace the oil pressure sending unit, it's not an emission problem so trying to diagnose it with a scanner is useless the car has a body control module

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Its been a great car so far though...only thing i had to do was brakes a few weeks ago.The rear disc brakes were gone at 49k...? Front was 50%

Gary

That's the norm for GMs I think. I only drive GM vehicles. My wife's 2002 Buick Regal has the discs on the rear go at 40,000km (24,000 miles) replaced them with aftermarket. Still going strong after another 100,000kms (60,000 miles)

 

[xtraham]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Gary

That's the norm for GMs I think. I only drive GM vehicles. My wife's 2002 Buick Regal has the discs on the rear go at 40,000km (24,000 miles) replaced them with aftermarket. Still going strong after another 100,000kms (60,000 miles)

you really should get more life from the rear pads, a good rule of thumb is 2-3 sets of front pads to one set of rear, when you see the rear pads go quick it's usually because someone forgot to take the e-brake off a time or two

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Thanks for the info guys!
I did find one plug near the bottom of the oil pan,about an inch above the drain plug on the side.The connections looked clean so i plugged it back in.
The warning still came on...

Let the car set for an hour after the oil change and went for a drive..
No more warning.

Could it have taken awhile to reset?

The dealer wanted 113 bucks just to plug into it...

I stopped by Autozone and they plugged the scanner in,no codes showing and the warning is still off...

I'm thinking the low oil level sender is the culprit.
Oil pressure light has never came on.

The car has Onstar and every other feature that was available...too much electronics to mess up.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

you really should get more life from the rear pads, a good rule of thumb is 2-3 sets of front pads to one set of rear, when you see the rear pads go quick it's usually because someone forgot to take the e-brake off a time or two

The GF drives it and i told her that! Ticked her off....LOL!
I asked her why drive with the parking brake on...

Whats a body control module??

 

[xtraham]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Thanks for the info guys!
I did find one plug near the bottom of the oil pan,about an inch above the drain plug on the side.The connections looked clean so i plugged it back in.
The warning still came on...

Let the car set for an hour after the oil change and went for a drive..
No more warning.

Could it have taken awhile to reset?

The dealer wanted 113 bucks just to plug into it...

I stopped by Autozone and they plugged the scanner in,no codes showing and the warning is still off...

I'm thinking the low oil level sender is the culprit.
Oil pressure light has never came on.

The car has Onstar and every other feature that was available...too much electronics to mess up.

yeah, I'd say it's the oil level sensor, with about a 90% probability from what you posted, the next time you change the oil replace it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Will do if the warning comes back on...
If it was the one i unplugged its easy to get to.I would think it would be higher up on the pan.
I bet the one i unplugged was oil temp maybe?
Will look it over good the next oil change if the problem does not come back before then.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

you really should get more life from the rear pads, a good rule of thumb is 2-3 sets of front pads to one set of rear, when you see the rear pads go quick it's usually because someone forgot to take the e-brake off a time or two

I meant rotors, not the pads. They pitted all to hell. Chucked them and the pads, put on aftermarket (read: less expensive) and they've been on it ever since. Just checked them last month. They still have life in them.

Never use the e-brake. I suspect it was from road salt during the first winter and they were bum rotors.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

I went with Ceramic aftermarket pads and they look to be wearing good.
Very little brake dust compared to the factory pads.

On my Chevy truck i go through front pads about every 30k
The rear shoes lasted 100k and still had life left in them.
I got the rears adjusted up now and man do the brakes feel better.
Those GM self adjusters are crap...I removed the knockout plugs on the rear so i can adjust them at every tire rotation..

 

[xtraham]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

I went with Ceramic aftermarket pads and they look to be wearing good.
Very little brake dust compared to the factory pads.

On my Chevy truck i go through front pads about every 30k
The rear shoes lasted 100k and still had life left in them.
I got the rears adjusted up now and man do the brakes feel better.
Those GM self adjusters are crap...I removed the knockout plugs on the rear so i can adjust them at every tire rotation..

self adjusters only work when you hit the brakes while in reverse, if your stars are free about once a month if you back-up and just keep pumping the brake pedal they will tighten up, don't worry about pitted rotors that wont hurt a thing, if fact that will keep brake squeal down kinda like vented, (drilled) rotors, the rear brakes only do about 20/30% of the work

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

self adjusters only work when you hit the brakes while in reverse, if your stars are free about once a month if you back-up and just keep pumping the brake pedal they will tighten up, don't worry about pitted rotors that wont hurt a thing, if fact that will keep brake squeal down kinda like vented, (drilled) rotors, the rear brakes only do about 20/30% of the work

Yea,the adjuster stars were free.My driveway is down hill and i always back down it.You would think that would keep them adjusted up but does not feel like it.
I like adjusting them manually anyway...just till i hear the shoe touching the drum..barely.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

The warning message came back on..

Time to get under it again and try to figure out what sensor it is....

 

[dolluper]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Check all connectors and wiring while your under it

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Any GM techs? 2007 Saturn Aura

Will do...If the rain ever stops i will get under it tomorrow.
I would assume the low oil level sender is on the oil pan.
It had another sender just above the drain plug but its really low on the pan to be the correct one..
Cast aluminum oil pan. Its hard to believe the car holds only 4 quarts with the filter.