So lately I've been having my "low oil light" flash and sometimes stay on, I just got an oil change and I keepp an eye on it without any fluctuation. The oil is perfectly on full and everthing. But at "idol" the light will go on and off and sometimes stay on till I hit the gas again. Any ideas??? I'm thinking maybe the oil pump, or maybe just the sensor. BTW for those that don't know it's a 2.2L 95 cavalier, auto. Any help is appreciated!
That's not a low oil light, it's a low oil pressure light. I highly doubt it's the sensor too. I'd say it's either worn out main bearings, or the oil pump.
Quote:
Watching you parade around my bedroom in a thong was a little like watching sea lions mate.
The car still runs great and I only get the light occasionally when I'm at idol.
Now, if it comes on when you are at "idle" then I'm going with wolf on this one, its your oil pump.
If you oil light comes on at "idol" (
An image of a divinity; a representation or symbol of a deity.) then there is a real problem.
Funny Funny... anyways... weird thing happened today. The light never came on. Hmmmmm....
could it just be a loose connection somewhere in the sensor circuit?
If the wire was loose, then the light would likely
never come on. It usually provides a connection to ground when the oil pressure drops below a specified level. At idle, pressure is typically the lowest, as the pump is running most slowly at this time.
Several things
could cause this - worn bearings (with increased clearances, requiring more oil than what the pump can deliver at that time), a worn oil pump, a highly restrictive filter (although it
should run in bypass mode if this happens), or the oil is too thin, it may cause the pressure to drop enough for the light to come on.
If you're running a 5WXX oil, you may want to try a 10WXX (or even something like a 15W40 diesel oil in warmer weather) to help increase the pressure. I prefer to run a heavier oil than to put in additives, but there are some additives that could help too by increasing the viscosity.
I would try changing to an oil that's one grade heavier first, and see how it responds. If that doesn't "fix" the problem, then you may have to look more deeply into things. It's most likely a wear issue, so the only "real" fix would probably be a rebuild, or another good used engine. Often they can have lots of life left at this point, but you want to find an oil that will keep that light off to help prevent further damage.
If it happens even when the engine is cold, then you need to figure out what it is soon. Usually this only happens once the oil thins out a bit - which is why running a heavier based oil can help to improve the condition.
Years ago I had an older Chrysler product with a 318 V8 that had a major main bearing problem. If I ran 10W30, the oil light would be on solid at idle when hot. In the summer months, I had to run 20W50 to keep the light off, and 15W40 in the cooler months. Even with that, the light would flicker at times, but it continued to run fine for a couple of years. At that time the engine was pulled during a full restoration, and a rebuilt one was installed.
20W-50?!?!?
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Still no problems... I checked with the oil changing place and they used 10w30 instead of 5w30 and they didn't use full syn like I asked... or like I was charged so I got a free change with 5w30 full syn straight from the bottle so I knew it was correct and no problems since. I guess it was a fluke... not sure though. Thanks for everyone help!
Rusty (The Rusted One) wrote:Still no problems... I checked with the oil changing place and they used 10w30 instead of 5w30 and they didn't use full syn like I asked... or like I was charged so I got a free change with 5w30 full syn straight from the bottle so I knew it was correct and no problems since. I guess it was a fluke... not sure though. Thanks for everyone help!
Always change your own oil, never trust an "oil changing place."
Do you still have the owner's manual in your glove box? I'm betting no. (I don't either) Anyways, it says in the owner's manual for my 97 that at idle while stopped the light may come on for a minute. Says it's okay as long as it goes away as soon as you rev it a little.
You can download it here and see for yourself.
95 Cavalier Owner's Manual
Rich Grayo Jr. wrote:John W(Ranger1316) wrote:Rusty (The Rusted One) wrote:Still no problems... I checked with the oil changing place and they used 10w30 instead of 5w30 and they didn't use full syn like I asked... or like I was charged so I got a free change with 5w30 full syn straight from the bottle so I knew it was correct and no problems since. I guess it was a fluke... not sure though. Thanks for everyone help!
Always change your own oil, never trust an "oil changing place."
yes.
I would if I still lived in Kentucky, but now that I moved to Florida and live at an apartment complex that doesn't allow working on the vehicle I have to find an alternative. Hell, I was yelled at for changing the carpet in my car because the new carpet blocked a parking space... =GHEY! Thanks for your help everyone... And thanks to CAVETTE for the owner's manual info and input.
Jesus I can't believe they put 10w30 in your car! Besides, changing your own oil is so much cheaper, you can save up to 40 bucks lol. Infact I just changed my oil today. lol.
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