Computer oil level reading?

[charlie bimmerman]

Anyone noticed misleading oil level readings from the OBC? Only had the 1200 GSA for a few weeks and was (perhaps foolishly) relying on the OBC reading for the oil level - when stationary at lights it has a think and then comes up OK. Then I was getting 'check oil' messages which in a matter of minutes would change to 'OK'. So being lazy, I hadn't got on the floor to take a peek at the sight glass.

At dealers yesterday and they tell me the oil level is really really low! They put in 500ml - so now instead of relying on the OBC should I a) always manually check or b) get the OBC checked cos it should be doing the job??

Anyone else had computer problems like this?

 

[Meath]

The computer oil lever thing is completely useless, pretend it's not there. Even in the manual it says not to rely on it, and check the glass. Therefore it's completely pointless imho!

 

[guffter6969]

I had one on an old Peugeot 405 a few years ago and it only worked with the engine off, If you think about it, with the engine running most of the oil isn't in the sump anyway it's sloshing about the rest of the engine, by the way is it standard on the GSA or is it a totally useless optional extra ( most likely fitted to every bike anyway, bit like heated grips!!!)

 

[charlie bimmerman]

I believe it's an optional extra that comes with the OBC. Bought mine as a used bike so not certain.

It's odd that it works with the engine running - so rather than being a level check it's more likely to be an oil pressure or flow measure based on a known oil volume perhaps?

 

[John Armstrong]

It's odd that it works with the engine running - so rather than being a level check it's more likely to be an oil pressure or flow measure based on a known oil volume perhaps?

I'd agree with your it working when the engine is running, IIRC I've not seen it working on any cars I've driven. Maybe it's a software glitch that it's working when the engine is making noise?

 

[wilbjr21]

I had one on an old Peugeot 405 a few years ago and it only worked with the engine off, If you think about it, with the engine running most of the oil isn't in the sump anyway it's sloshing about the rest of the engine, by the way is it standard on the GSA or is it a totally useless optional extra ( most likely fitted to every bike anyway, bit like heated grips!!!)

Since when were heated grips useless?? Maybe since they didn't come with your Suzuki perhaps

 

[cookie]

I believe it's an optional extra that comes with the OBC. Bought mine as a used bike so not certain.

It's odd that it works with the engine running - so rather than being a level check it's more likely to be an oil pressure or flow measure based on a known oil volume perhaps?

it's a feature of the OBC which is itself, an option.

i think it just measures the level. the bike has to be at operating temp, at tickover, stationary, for 10 seconds before it reads out. i imagine that's to let it level out in the sump

 

[guffter6969]

I didn't mean that heated grips were a useless optional extra, far from it they're brill and I have got them fitted to the strom ( summer gloves in october, you can't beat it ), what I meant was that they are charged extra but does any bike which is delivered to the dealers ( ie not a special customer order ) actually not have them fitted so in effect if you walk in a say "I'll have that bike please" they are not really optional are they!

 

[wilbjr21]

guffter6969

Yes you may have point with the heated grips looked at from that angle - but I would always choose them as well. Hope your enjoying your Suzuki and getting plenty miles in. Done 12,000 on my 1200GSA since April. My new one (with the new ABS brakes) comes next March - I've started wishing my life away again.