Oil light comes on for a second randomly

[Terrorizer]

The last two days I've noticed the oil light will come on my dash for just a second then go out. The first time I was braking hard so I thought it might have come on from the oil sloshing forward but the second time I was just cruising down the street. I checked my oil level and it was fine. Is there another reason the light would be lighting up?

 

[rbruso]

Is this the oil pressure (red) or oil level (orange) light?

If it's the red one and is happening intermittently you might want to check the status of your rod bearings. Have you done them recently?

You would need a combination of a very low oil level and a sharp turn to the left to get the oil in the sump to drop below the pickup.

 

[Terrorizer]

Is this the oil pressure (red) or oil level (orange) light?

If it's the red one and is happening intermittently you might want to check the status of your rod bearings. Have you done them recently?

You would need a combination of a very low oil level and a sharp turn to the left to get the oil in the sump to drop below the pickup.

Its the red light, I have not done the bearings. I bought the car 6 months ago with 104,000 miles on it and I doubt any of the previous owners did it considering I did the first 60k at 104k miles.

 

[shobote]

Sometimes the oil pressure sensor goes south and the light comes on briefly. mine did the same at 135k, replaced it and fixed the problem. Since this is a cheap part (under $20) which is very simple to replace, I would start there, as you have relativiely low mileage for rod bearings to go bad already. although it would not hurt to do those as preventative work.

 

[Terrorizer]

Does the oil pressure sensor screw in to the rear of the oil pan? If so I've noticed mine has a bunch of oil on it and looks pretty haggard. You can't tell if its bad or not from that but yeah.

 

[trainguy1989]

Does the oil pressure sensor screw in to the rear of the oil pan? If so I've noticed mine has a bunch of oil on it and looks pretty haggard. You can't tell if its bad or not from that but yeah.

No, thats the oil level sensor on the back of the pan. The oil pressure sensor is on the back of the block and has one wire going to it.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

If you can help it STOP DRIVING THE CAR. If this is actually bad rod bearings (I blew my engine at 99k due to a rod failure) you'll lose the engine if you don't change them now.

 

[jayro]

I would replace both. They can be done in an afternoon and are not that expensive. It is true that it could be just your sensor, but I would hate for you to spin a bearing cause you just replaced the sensor and it ended up being the bearings. 100k does seem a little early for rod bearings....mine still looked pretty good at 165K, but that is with GTX every 3k miles.

 

[LJRuddy]

I love how anytime anyone even hints at an oil pressure light, people freak out and chant "rod bearings" in unison.

Just change the oil pressure sending unit and call it good. You wouldnt see the oil pressure light turn on for a brief instant while cruising above 2,000rpm unless you were either out of oil, missing a bearing (massive knock will be an effect of this) or your oil pump broke. Since you dont feel knocking from the engine I doubt you have a missing bearing and seeing that the light has only came on twice I doubt your oil pump failed as you are still able to drive the car. And you said your oil level is fine so we know you arent sucking in air.........

 

[Terrorizer]

Also, the engine randomly shut off today while driving. The red oil light, battery, and check engine light came on. It happened yesterday too.

 

[Terrorizer]

If you can help it STOP DRIVING THE CAR. If this is actually bad rod bearings (I blew my engine at 99k due to a rod failure) you'll lose the engine if you don't change them now.

The problem is, I have a date with a really hot asian exchange student I've been seeing, and I know I'm going to get some tonight. Should I still not drive it? What would you do?

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

Also, the engine randomly shut off today while driving. The red oil light, battery, and check engine light came on. It happened yesterday too.

If your car stalls out all your idiot lights will come on. Also change your oil pressure sensor and most likely your oil pressure light will stay out. My SHO has over 300k and I had to change out my oil pressure switch twice so far. I did have to replace my rod bearings but I only so because of a slight knocking from the lower end and I just did those at around 290k.

 

[LJRuddy]

The problem is, I have a date with a really hot asian exchange student I've been seeing, and I know I'm going to get some tonight. Should I still not drive it? What would you do?

Drive the car and get your yahoo wet.

 

[jayro]

You can always get a T fitting for the oil pressure sensor and put an oil pressure gauge in the car. That way you will know for sure as well. Just depends on how far you want to go with it.

Oh, and even if you really shouldnt drive the car...I would probably go on the date and just roll the dice.

 

[gmail]

If your car stalls out all your idiot lights will come on. Also change your oil pressure sensor and most likely your oil pressure light will stay out. My SHO has over 300k and I had to change out my oil pressure switch twice so far. I did have to replace my rod bearings but I only so because of a slight knocking from the lower end and I just did those at around 290k.

why wait till its knocking... jesus christ

 

[jmpSHO2nd]

why wait till its knocking... jesus christ

I waited mostly because the car had such high miles and I wanted to put in a lower mileage motor if it went. Well it started knocking very faintly drove it for about 3-4k and when I had the chance I replaced them and if the crank was damaged I would have found a lower mileage motor.

 

[Terrorizer]

For any of you that are wondering I did end up driving it that night with no problems and I did get some so it was well worth the risk. I will check the rod bearings when I have some time probably over winter break.

 

[SHOZ123]

The wire coming from the sender to the light may have a short in it. If it is grounded the light will come on. Do a wiggle test.

 

[Terrorizer]

The wire coming from the sender to the light may have a short in it. If it is grounded the light will come on. Do a wiggle test.

What is a wiggle test? Is that wiggling it to see if it comes on and off?

 

[SHOZ123]

No, wiggle the wire along it's length while the engine is running to see if it grounds out and turns on the light.