I have a 97 Pontiac Sunfire and just today, like two hours ago, my check engine light came on. I took a look at my fluids and all look ok, but the oil. It is QUITE low to the point to where I'll need to stop at the store to fill it up before attempting to drive home from work. It did looks pretty dirty as well. I also made sure my gas cap was quite tight as well. Could the low oil cause my light to come on like that? I'm only 500 miles late for my oil change...
I don't notice much in the difference in it's performance. It's always run a teeny bit rough as it has aged, but it's not doing anything out of the ordinary.
2006-12-28 06:08:31 · 14 answers · asked by BlueEyezz 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
No low oil will not cause a check engine light. Your computer system detected a malfunction. Take it to a qualified auto technician and have it diagnosed. Do not listen to any backyard mechanic want a be that tells you to take it to a parts store for a code check. Parts salespeople are not qualified nor do they have the proper equipment or skill to diagnose your vehicle.
2006-12-28 06:20:01 · answer #1 · answered by Dave 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Low Oil Check Engine Light
2016-11-10 08:41:50 · answer #2 · answered by sushil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think that low oil would trigger a "low oil light" not the check engine light. If you are only 500 miles late, you shouldn't be quite low on oil. You may have a leak which could be causing other issues and the check oil light. Have it looked at by a mechanic soon.
2006-12-28 06:19:46 · answer #3 · answered by answer_man 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How old is your car? The higher the mileage, the more you need to stay on top of your cars maintanence. It could make your light come on, but most cars have an oil light, and low oil causes low oil pressure, and there is usually a light for that. Look in your owners manual and find out how to turn off the light, and if it comes back on after you reset it, you need to have your car looked at
2006-12-28 06:33:36 · answer #4 · answered by JC N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
low oil wouldnt have triggered the check engine light. that's triggered by onboard computer if something is wrong with the engine from something else; could be from a distributor going bad. the computer will store a trouble code for the tech when he takes a look at it.
this is a service tech's job. u should check the oil at least once every 2 weeks, or if u run it out of oil, u'll wind up trashing the engine real quick.
2006-12-28 06:26:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your check engine light is related to the emissions control system. Most cars have separate indicators for oil pressure problems. Either the light is malfunctioning (probably not expensive unless it points to an electrical problem), a sensor in the emissions system is bad (relatively inexpensive) or the catalytic converter is bad (expensive). Low oil would not be directly related to the light, but since an engine is really a system, if something goes wrong in one part, it can create conditions that cause other problems elsewhere in the system. You should get the oil changed and ask them to look for signs of an oil leak. In certain states of usage, oil levels can look low but aren't. When you park for several hours, look for signs of oil drip under the car engine.
2006-12-28 06:23:55 · answer #6 · answered by Robert M 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well I don't know anything about your particular type of car, but I own a 2000 VW Jetta and on occasion the check engine light will come on when I really need oil. The oil light comes on and dings as well, then turns off. Being low on oil could be causing other problems, possibly some overheating. I would stop by the store and get some oil, let the car run for a while and see if the light goes off.
2006-12-28 06:17:34 · answer #7 · answered by Go Coogs! 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
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The check engine light comes on when any of the systems the computer monitors returns a signal outside the parameters it expects to see. Most cars do not monitor the oil level, they leave that to you to check. If the light remains on, see your mechanic to have the system scanned for the specific error code(s) stored. Then you will know if it's minor or major. It could be anything from a loose gas cap to injectors failing.
2016-04-08 14:02:39 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your check engine light will not come on due to low oil. When a sensor or valve has failed the light will come on. Dirty oil might cause the light to come on for the catalytic convertor not working properly, I have seen that before. Just get your oil changed and have the code read and see what it says.
2006-12-28 07:09:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A oil level that is that low will definetly set a light. Put some oil in it & drive it to see if it straightens out. If you are only a few hundred miles over on your oil change, I would have it looked at to see where it is going to.
2006-12-28 06:56:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋