2011 Audi Q5 2L Turbo - Part2 - Min oil light/Add oil warning message - Replace the WHAT??

Vehicle came in with very poor running and oil consumption. See Part1:
• 2011 Audi Q5 2L Turbo ...
For Part2 I deal with this annoying minimum oil level light on the dash. This vehicle has a dipstick. Later models just had the tube but no stick. The oil level is perfectly at max. Perhaps a faulty oil level sensor? I check the scantool and there is a PID for oil level. Thankfully they also had a PID for oil level threshold (minimum level at which it'll turn the light on). The measured oil level, as seen in the ECM, is ABOVE the threshold. So the ECM KNOWS that the oil level is GOOD... But why does that light/message keep coming on??
Google/TSBS came to the rescue on this one! The cause is so whacky there's no way you'd ever find the issue without them!
Disclaimer:
The information, demonstration and any content contained in this video is for informational purposes only. The user and EUrbanAutoTech makes no warranty, express or implied, regarding the effectiveness or safety of the contents of this video. In no way should the contents of the video, including the tools used, be repeated or tried by anyone. Viewers should only seek the help of a trained professional located at a licensed auto repair shop for any fix, modification, alteration, or any change to their vehicle. EUrbanAutoTech shall not be liable for any injury, damage, or loss to any person or property that may result from use of the tools, equipment, or any content contained in this video. In addition, there is no way to guarantee that the video is not altered or modified or is not in the final form submitted by EUrbanAutoTech and therefore, EUrbanAutoTech does not warrant that the video is unaltered or not modified. The links on this video to products are for informational purposes only and in no way are an endorsement of the safety or effectiveness of the particular product. Viewers understand that anything contained in this video or linked to or from this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and in no way provides an express or implied warranty as to the safety or effectiveness of any linked tool, product, or video. Therefore, viewer agrees to release, waive, and discharge EUrbanAutoTech or anyone affiliated with EUrbanAutoTech, from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by the viewer, or to any property belonging to viewer, regardless of whether the loss is linked to the use of the contents of this video, or otherwise and regardless of whether such liability arises in tort, contract, strict liability, or otherwise, to the fullest extent allowed by law.

[@-Baikal-]

The more stuff like this I learn about even slightly more modern cars it makes me dread the day I have to give up my 20 year old toyota

[@ironmike742]

I drive a 2001 Camry. I put a new engine in it at 260,000 miles. Right now I have 319,000 miles on it and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Everything works as designed and it gets 30 mpg. Rock on

[@cornholio324]

Exactly I just tore down my 2001 saab for a head gasket and a new turbo. This thing is a dream to work on.

[@obsoleteprofessor2034]

Maybe it's an indirect hood open warning system. Maybe the logic is to get the driver to get out and check the oil. Open the hood, check oil then slam the hood.

[@eurbanautotech]

@obsolete professor Their logic is they don't trust that you actually did top up the oil unless it sees a hood open signal for greater than 30 seconds. I don't get why not just rely on the level sensor to reset the light..? Why add another completely unrelated item to the equation that's just another possible failure point? Manufacturers have no problem solely relying on level sensors for things like fuel, coolant, washer fluid, etc to turn lights both on AND off... Makes ya scratch yer head!

[@VanoSAutoS]

Bro I just bought a 2011 Q5 on online auction it's a 2.0 TDI and when I bought the car I never checked the picture of the dash (I know rookie mistake) until after I bought it. I got it for very cheap and had me thinking what's wrong with it then I started to look at pictures again and I noticed the oil light. So now I am looking for answers and when I receive the car and If this is the problem I will be so grateful 😂 but I have a feeling it's more than that I just hope it's nothing major. Thanks for the video great job

[@Synistr1]

😂VAG engineers are experts at making us owners use the parts cannon. VCDS is best diag tool we have for correctly locating the problem part.

[@DS-oq5dq]

so what’s the conclusion at the end boss? What’s the most likely going to be? I got the 2011 Q5 with warning it say shut down engine ,oil pressure too low but my oil level is good.

[@NB-Trillz9x19]

Was your trunk lid sensor working ?? Or no

[@dave99887]

I ran into an issue where I had a similar scenario. It would say add 1.5l. I'd add 200 ml at a time. Once I put about 1.5, then I get an overfill message. I'll use my oil sucker and pull out 200ml and the warning would switch right back to telling me to add 1.5l. Makes absolutely no sense. Checking the data list, same situation. Oil level sensor says the level is fine for the static oil level measurement. New sensor was installed just to see what would happen. No change. Lol!

[@eurbanautotech]

@DVantage Ya, I don't get their routines for checking the oil level. I don't see what's so difficult about a static measurement. In an automatic transmission you got a torque converter that can hold 3-6 liters of oil and you don't know how much of that has drained back. So sure... have a running check. But on these newer cars sometimes it can take 10 minutes to go through its routine to check the oil level!

[@SulimanSalma]

Thanks

[@HieuBui-m5o]

How the heck...?

[@jessebirring3389]

Can you just reset the light with a scan tool instead of replacing the part?

[@eurbanautotech]

@jesse birring Nope. This isn't the maintenance/oil change due light. Whenever the oil level sensor detects a low oil condition then the only way the cluster resets that condition is if it sees a hood open signal for 30+ seconds. If it doesn't then it assumes you never topped up the oil and it's still low. Even though the level sensor starts reporting a good level again...

[@Sicktrickintuner]

That is a smart/stupid logic. Most likely that if the sensor is faulty that you open the hood and actually check it and not rely on a sensor saying the oil is full or low. Pretty much calls all audi people idiots from vw.

[@eurbanautotech]

@Sicktrickintuner Yeah, it sure seems like unnecessarily adding an extra point of failure...