my oil light comes on and off when i'm at a stop light. What's going on?

Answer 1

Check your oil level.

Answer 2

There could be a couple of reasons for the light flickering. It's best to have the actual oil pressure checked to ensure that your engine is not being damaged. First, the condition of the oil should be assessed. Assuming it is good, a known good mechanical pressure gauge should be hooked up where the oil pressure sending unit (that's what controls your dash light)threads in. The engine should be tested both cold and at operating temperature. If you have acceptable pressure, then you can rest a little easier knowing that the egnine is being lubricated properly. At that point you have a defective sending unit or a wire problem. If you do not have acceptable oil pressure than you have a serious problem that will require further, complicated diagnosis to determine whether your engine has sustained any serious damage.

Answer 3

Oil Light On And Off

Answer 4

Does the oil lightcome on when first start the car? If so your oil sensor is in the back of the pan. When you're in motion the oil is pushed back against the rear of the oil pan and the sensor registerrs level, when you stop for a bit the oil settles and moves back from the sensor setting off the light. It means you're just below the oil level. Put a quart in and next time you change your oil take your car to an actual garage rather than an oil place. Mention your problem and let them take a look at what's going on. Could be a leak or you could be burning oil.

Answer 5

Your oil pressure is dropping because of the lower idle, after you've driven and most of your available oil is in the upper engine instead of in the oil pan where the pump pickup is. The issue is most likely low oil. However, could be many other things as well, blocked oil passage, clogged oil filter, weak oil pump. List gets long. But if it's been a while since an oil change, start there.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
my oil light comes on and off when i'm at a stop light. What's going on?

Answer 7

My guess is you're way over the limit with miles on your oil. You've probably got an old car with very little oil pressure. First thing...check the oil level. Next, change the oil (use proper viscosity). If this doesn't work, either the oil pump is bad or the main bearings are worn out. Got well over 100,000 miles on this beast? Change the oil & filter and buy a for sale sign!

People do not change their oil often enough!!! Try changing every 1,000 miles (when you buy your next vehicle) and see how much cleaner your engines runs. This is the cheapest maintenance you can buy!

Answer 8

You either have:
1) a low oil level, below that for safe engine operation and it is warning you, or;
2) Your oil sending unit is faulty, or;
3) Your oil is contaminated and you need to shut down immediately until it is resolved, or;
4) you have severely worn engine components and therefore low oil pressure, that can only be resolved with a rebuild/repair of the internal components including the crankshaft, cam shaft, related bearings, or;
5) the oil pump is faulty, or the oil pick-up tube is plugged or cracked/damaged.

If you also hear "rattling" that could be the lifters due to a lack of oil pressure, a piston rod or other component imminently failing. In any of the above intances you need assistance from somebody you can trust and who is knowledgable. Best of luck and hope it is a minor problem.

Answer 9

Hellooooooooooooo!!!!! Clue!!!!
Have you bothered to check your oil? No offense, but that's the whole point of the light. Not to mention the nick name for the light.
If, by chance, you actually have oil in the car, and it doesn't appear semi transparent, then you need to have your oil changed.
You may have even had the oil in the car so long that it has lost its viscosity (oiliness).
Check to find out what's going on NOW. Hopefully, its not too late.

Answer 10

Bad oil pump. Sitting at a light your rpm 's drop causing oil pump to slow down. Or you have sludge for oil.

Answer 11

Get the oil pressure checked after you check the engine's oil level. Idle speed to slow? Oil dipstick covered with creamy froth? Or what you do not want to hear. Engine wear from lack of maintenance has caused the engine to become sludged and internal bearings to wear causing low oil pressure which is causing the light to flicker!!!