2.3L ('83-'97) Oil Level Sensor - purpose?

[Maui-sprint]

The 2.3 in my 1990 2wd standard cab has an oil level sensor which sticks out of the oil pan. What is the purpose of this sensor aside from the obvious? In other words, what does the ECM do with this info? Does it illuminate an idiot light when level gets low, or does it shut down engine to protect it? The reason I'm asking is that I just swapped my motor out for another that does NOT have an oil level sensor. I simply cut the sensor off and am now left with a dangling wire. New motor has no spark. A possible reason?

 

[Dirtman]

It only turns on the idiot light. Not the cause of your no spark issue.

 

[Shran]

Its purpose is to leak all over and make a mess.

I had the engine rebuilt in my '88 and I initially left that sensor disconnected when I put the engine in. I also had a no start issue. I connected the sensor and it fired right up. I swear that's all I did, I did not trace that wire back but it definitely solved the problem I had. I can't find any wiring diagram that suggests that it goes anywhere other than the Low Oil light on the dash.

FWIW it was leaking on my Explorer and I clipped the wire off, replaced the sensor with a big oil drain plug and it's been running fine ever since that point.

 

[scotts90ranger]

My '90 has been an oil leaker for years, I use that to know when I need to add 1.5-2 quarts of oil... I don't remember it ever coming on when it was still N/A so don't remember if it was tied into anything on the computer, but now I know FOR CERTAIN that it just turns on the "low oil" light

 

[Dirtman]

If that sensor could shut your engine off there would be alot of old Fords sitting on the side of the road given how rarely the damned things ever worked...

Most people took the dumb things off and put a plug in the hole to stop them from constantly leaking.