Why does my oil light come on when im idling?

Question

It just started doing this.If im idling with my foot on the brake the oil light comes on.As soon as I give it gas it goes out.Yes the car has oil in it. Why is it doing this?

2003 dodge intrepid

Answer 1

most logic thing would be the oil pump. As the car idles down the pump also slows down. If you have a good pump this is not a problem but when the pump gets week it cant pump the oil correctly without the extra rpms from the engine. The only other thing could be a faulty oil sending unit. But I think that would come on not only when idle. Sounds like oil pump is about done for.

Answer 2

Your oil pump is weak or the oil pump screen is clogged. How often do you change the oil? How many miles on your car? Maybe the oil filter is clogged or defective. If the idle is very low, the engine doesnt rotate fast enough to pump the oil throughout the engine. Do the easiest solution, drain and refill the crankcase with a quality brand oil and a new filter, a good brand, not a cheap one.Look at the old oil coming out , is it thick or black and gritty? You may want to install a magnetic drain plug to pick up any metal debris floating around your engine. If the idle is too low, have it adjusted higher. Could just be you need a good tune up with all new filters.
good luck.............

Answer 3

Do not put thicker oil in no matter what some moron says. That might make the light stay off, but you'll get less oil flow.
Have somebody check the pressure with a real guage. Those light sensors get old. If you never changed the filter it will hurt your pressure. There's a bypass in the filter if it's clogged, but the pressure still goes down some.
Don't ever use non detergent oil no matter what some hippie told you.
This happens on some cars their whole life. They just make the sensor too close to the normally oil pressure. If it never gets any worse, I wouldn't let some shyster talk you into $3,000 worth of repairs.

Answer 4

Oil could be a little low. Or the oil sending unit is not sensing oil pressure at idle.
When you rev it at all it increases oil pressure making the light go out. A sending unit costs under $20 most of the time.
The only other thing I can think of is your using the wrong weight oil.

Answer 5

Hi There! It just so happens that I have the best answer for u! I used to be a Chrysler Technician and there is a service bulletin for your particular case. To put it simply, the wires going from your oil pressure switch to your oil pressure indicator light are being interfered with by other wires running through the same harness. The service bulletin requires running a separate wire from your oil indicator light straight to your oil pressure switch. This job should take about an hour and should not cost u any $$. Now, if youre from the US, Im not sure the service bulletin would be applicable-you would have to check with your local Chrysler dealer to find out! Hope this helps. Also, if you have the 2.7 liter engine, they are notorious for burning oil and creating sludge-make sure you change your oil more often than required to prevent engine failure.

Answer 6

it is one of 2 things.You are either a quart low on oil or your oil pump is going bad.The first thing that i would do is check the oil after the car has been parked all night.check it before you start the engine because all the oil has drained to the bottom and you get a true reading from a cold engine.If it is okay,then i would suggest taking it to a mechanic.It could be something as easy as a plugged oil filter or a stopped up screen on the oil pump.get it checked soon to keep from doing any engine damage.

good luck

Answer 7

first factor to do is to discover your engine's IDLE AIR administration VALVE. This gizmo is meant to regulate idle velocity. no count if it is grimy, it won't be able to do it is job, and the idle could be so low as to set off the oil easy from low tension. it is likewise achievable that your engine oil is the incorrect one on your engine. the acceptable oil will of course state on the field, "designed to be utilized in Chrysler autos," or "engineered to be utilized in Chrysler autos". in basic terms via fact which you put in 10W-30 would not propose it is the acceptable oil on your motor vehicle. there's a gizmo on your oil pump stated as an oil tension alleviation valve. If it gets caught with sludge, it won't be able to flow the way it may. you need to de-sludge the engine and use the acceptable Mobil One oil, or Amzoil, or perhaps ELF oil. replace it as quickly as a year. forget approximately the different oils!

Answer 8

The switch or better yet called the oil sending pressure switch is going. It dosen't mean your oil pump is going if there is no lifter noise. This pressure switch is about 6 dollors and can be had fron most auto parts stores.

Just be shure you have checked your oil for full befor you replace the switch.
If you are low on oil, it will turn on this light.

Answer 9

check oil first DO NOT CHANGE RIGHT AWAY,if you could have a bad engine if so changing oil is not the best idea,determine that first,if ok change oil if you go to a place to change it ask them if they can show any leaks underneath if any at all.if none found i would sugg engine diagnostic to be safe,sounds like oil pressure sending unit ,or called oil pressure switch,its located usally in oil pan very common for dodges,but from exp. worked in garage for 12 years ,have technician look at car first ,you dont want to be chasing theproblem spending money on things you dont necs. need .and oil problems suck because you can fix one thing and have another go wrong jus as quick{ i would used to tell customers its like the story of a hole in a water dyke you fix one hole then pressure will return and you get two more holes}same can be said with car oil problems sometimes good luck

Answer 10

There are several reasons. The oil pump may be going bad, or you may have the oil preasure sending unit could be going bad. You say you have oil in it. Is it full. you could have a problem with the timing belt.