Hi I now have another problem today when I drove down the motorway my oil light came on. The thing is I have enough oil in my car...What else could this mean?
2006-09-20 01:56:22 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It just passed MOT 3 weeks ago. Also my speed stopped work on monday and my stero turns its self on and off... has this got anything to do with this? is it all connected
2006-09-20 02:19:27 · update #1
Thank u all so much for your answers....I found out a fuse had blown which caused all the problems...
Thanks again
2006-09-21 20:46:55 · update #2
Could also be low oil pressure, or a faulty sensor.
2006-09-20 01:59:21 · answer #1 · answered by RRM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Low oil level first choice. If there no oil there will be no oil pressure
Second is Crap oil leading to thinning and loss of pressure when hot, this is a possibility, as the oil light should be on when pressure is less than 4 psi, some less than 2 psi.
Third Worn main bearings, oil pump, big ends etc inside the engine, this can result from using Crap Oil, you know £3 per Gallon unbranded 10W40, also suitable for deep fat fryers and woks. If this is the case the thing will probably sound like the proverbial bag of Nails.
However not withstanding the other electrical faults I would suspect the insulation has been damaged on the oil pressure switch wire, probably in the engine bay, rather than under the dash. My Maestro oil light used to come on sometimes because the wire rubbed on the Driveshaft shorting to earth and illuminating the light.
2006-09-20 12:54:46 · answer #2 · answered by "Call me Dave" 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can check the oil light by taking the lead off and seeing if it turns the light on when it is earthed to the block.
The variety of your problems suggest though that you have an electrical problem but NOT associated with the pressure warning light.
Check the fuses, clean their holders and the tabs on the fuses.
I know a 'manager' whose oil light came on. He said he could not do without the car so he kept driving it with the light on. You get about a couple of hundred miles this way before the engine seizes. If you have a Company car this is OK as the firm pays. If it's yours look at at least £4-500 for a new engine.
RoyS
2006-09-20 11:45:29 · answer #3 · answered by Roy S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hi,
I appreciate most of your answers so far, but .....
Have a peep at the dipstick - is it loosing sump oil ?
Usual answer, but it could well by the pressure sender, whhich needs replacing, or a prob with the wiring loom, (unlikely, but possible.) Checking sensor fuses is worth five minutes.
Just for a laugh, but I strongly do not advise it, he put a bit of tape over the light so as that it would cease to annoy him down the motorway. My silly friend did this, It blew up internally. Shame really, as it used to be a Lotus Cortina thing.
You could just keep sticking more oil in, but finding the leak & fixing it has to be better.
In the worst scenario, put shreded nylon in the oil filler, run it very hot, and sell it quick before the bearings give out completely.
An old dodgy trick that I do not now personally like.
Being honest about things.
However, best of luck,
Bob.
2006-09-20 09:36:19 · answer #4 · answered by Bob the Boat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The light simply means you have less than 10psi of oil pressure. This could be caused by a lot of different things. That is why they call those "idiot" lights as they don't tell you much except you have a problem and should stop driving.
Could be:
-bad oil pump
-worn out engine bearings
-leak in a oil channel
-plugged oil filter
-bad sensor
-foam other foreign objects in the oil
-rapid deceleration/acceleation depending on where the pickup is.
-low oil level
-broken down oil (extreme case of)
Good luck
2006-09-20 09:12:44 · answer #5 · answered by Drewpie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either you have a short or you have a big problem with the lubrication system. Don't tak ethe risk and ignore it get it checked out straight away. It could be either low oil pressure or possibly even high oil pressure, both of which can do hundreds or even thousands of pounds of damage to your engine.
If a warning light comes on it means there is a problem so get it checked as quickly as possible. You can normally limp a car along for a little while on low oil or with an engine management problem but leaving it can destroy the engine.
2006-09-20 09:06:22 · answer #6 · answered by Alex MacGregor 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This could mean the oil switch isn't working properly or that you have the wrong weight oil in your car. Of course it could be a faulty light or a loose wire to the switch. By the way, when was your last oil change?
2006-09-20 09:06:41 · answer #7 · answered by bro_ken128 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would guess water or damp in your wiring. It's shorting somewhere. The oil light comes on due to lack of pressure not lack of oil. if it's running OK and passed it's MOT. It's probably the light coming on. Take a look under the bonnet and see if water is getting in around the bulkhead - the bit in front of the dashboard. Dry it if it's wet or damp. You may need a sealer to keep water or damp out. It sounds like the wires are being earthed - so even water on the metalwork around wiring and connectors needs drying.
2006-09-20 10:44:23 · answer #8 · answered by Mike10613 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. Bad oil pressure sending switch.
2. Bad oil pump
1 no biggie, 2 bad...get to the mechanic. Don't drive much if at all. Watch your heat if you do, if it starts rising shut it down and get towed before the engine seizes.
2006-09-20 08:59:53 · answer #9 · answered by David B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it could be about anything.is it a newer car cuz if so some times the oil light comes on if its time to change the oil.other than that it could be low oil pressure or high oil presser or a bad sencer.
2006-09-20 09:06:42 · answer #10 · answered by mellow_26241 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋