Oil Warning Light - Help

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Oct 21, 2012 | 07:52 PM

#16

IXLR8

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From: Canada & the Alps

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stgear

My mechanic wants me to have it towed. That's probably going to be $200. Uhg.

Although painful, how would you know for sure.

Funny how we will discuss engine oils on any forum ad nauseam, yet risk running with no oil pressure on an assumption.

Oct 21, 2012 | 09:25 PM

#17

nile13

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From: Boston, MA

Quote:

Originally Posted by IXLR8

I would as well, initially with the oil level gauge immediately upon noticing a low oil pressure indication and then the dipstick.

But saying that "the car is save to drive (with a low oil pressure indication) as long as the oil level is OK" is saying that one has oil pressure as long as the oil level is OK which we both know is not the case.

Just a clarification since these threads are referred to now and in the future.

It's a good clarification, Alex, from that standpoint. I don't want someone to grenade an engine in a rare case where it's actual oil pressure issue.

I'm going here on the assumption that oil pressure is OK above idle (same as mine was when sensor failed and same as YouTube videos I've seen. the light comes on at idle only. Which actually brings up an interesting question. What type of non-sensor failure to cause pressure to fluctuate like this?

Oct 21, 2012 | 09:35 PM

#18

IXLR8

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From: Canada & the Alps

Quote:

Originally Posted by nile13

What type of non-sensor failure to cause pressure to fluctuate like this?

I was thinking that as well. Weak or broken spring?

It didn't fluctuate at any one RPM. There was an offset of about 2.5 bar which is where idle usually is at and 5 bar at throttle.

Oct 21, 2012 | 09:55 PM

#19

nile13

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From: Boston, MA

BTW, here's another cute question. Is warning light actually coming from the same sensor as the gauge reading? In other words, i was thinking (not very hard) about the fact that oil pressure gauge did go up at part throttle and light turned on. It almost feels like some base is lost in the switch. Like if there was a resistor in series with potentiometer that resistor would short out and potentiometer would still work properly.

Oct 21, 2012 | 10:03 PM

#20

IXLR8

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From: Canada & the Alps

Quote:

Originally Posted by nile13

Is warning light actually coming from the same sensor as the gauge reading?

Mike, they are both in the same sensor. See schematic in upper right of attached.

Attached Images

Oil Pressure Sensor.jpg (185.2 KB, 1009 views)

Oct 21, 2012 | 10:26 PM

#21

nile13

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From: Boston, MA

Hmmm... So that's a bit weird to me. Almost like some ballast resistance suddenly goes away and the sensor reads low while pot still moves?

Oct 21, 2012 | 10:40 PM

#22

JET951

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From: Sydney Australia

Just quickly glanced the thread, did not see anywhere mentioned what oil weight you are using?
Regards
Sean

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stgear

I was driving home tonight and looked down and my oil warning light was on while idling. The reserve tank was almost full and the engine was almost at operating temperature.

When I took off - only had a block to go to get home - the oil pressure came up and the light went off. At idle at the house the light came back on. Pressure is below one bar at idle.

When I turned the car off and recranked the pressure goes to 3 bar and then back to below one bar and the light comes back on.

Any ideas on what to look for would be appreciated. (I am not driving the car.)

THANK YOU!