My oil light keeps coming on when I'm driving my car, is this dangerous?

Question

I checked my oil and it's full, I just put a quart in, however, the oil light keeps coming on, sometimes it's blinking on and off sometimes. Periodically. I think this is just a fuse maybe not all the way in. I'm guessing. I don't really know. If it stays on all the time like this, is there any danger of this as long as I'm always checking my oil and it stays full?

Answer 1

Maybe yes, maybe no. Is the engine making a knocking sound at all? If so, the oil pressure may, indeed be low, and you need immediate service. If not, it may be the sensor. I had my guage drop to zero once, scared the heck out of me because I was driving in traffic, but oil pressure was fine, the sensor had died.

Answer 2

To help you narrow it down, no, it's not a fuse--odds are, as others have said, it's your sending unit or your oil pump. The sending unit is either suffering from a loose connection (the most likely) or going bad (possible, but probably not unless your car is higher-mileage). As far as your oil pump is concerned, it may be putting out low pressure due to failure or it may be blocked in some way (engine sludge getting caught in the pick-up, perhaps?).

Getting a Haynes manual for your car is probably the best suggestion I could give you. Look up from there how to test the oil sending unit. If it tests out good, you've got an issue with your oil pump that a trained technician should see.

And to answer your last question, YES, there is danger in not checking into this problem further. Traditionally, the "oil pressure" light comes on AFTER you've lost all oil pressure in your car. If there's something amiss with your oil pump, you could risk seizing your engine from lack of lubrication. It does sound like a sending unit, but it's impossible to tell over the internet. :)

I hope this helped. Good luck!

Answer 3

You don't mention how old your vehicle is, but you probably have one of 3 problems, either the oil sending unit is bad, the oil pump is not producing enough pressure, or the oil pump is producing too much pressure.

First thing to do is buy the Chiltons or Haynes repair manual for your vehicle at your local book store, auto parts store, or amazon.com. Read up on your problem and try to come up with a diagnosis.

If it's the sending unit, it will give you the instructions to replace it yourself. If it is the oil pump, allow a professional to do your fix.

Either way, you also find out it's not a fuse. Fuses don't operate that way. They are either good or bad.

If it is the 2nd problem, it is very dangerous. You can live with the other two.

Answer 4

Your oil pressure is dropping low enough to set off the light. When you increase the engine speed, you are increasing oil pressure and the light goes out. The cause could be a failing oil pump, a bad bypass valve, worn out engine bearings, an internal leak from an oil seal, oil that is too light weight, or a bad sensor. The true oil pressure can be tested with a test gauge. If the pressure is okay then the sensor is most likely bad. If the pressure is too low at idle, you'll have to track down the cause. Good luck

Answer 5

The two things that come to the top of my head is #1, Low Oil pressure. Low low idle. I suspect its the former of the two since oil pressure lights don't come on for no reason. However, one last thing you can do is pop the hood and check every connection to your engine looking for the oil sending unit and make sure its not in-crusted with gunk and making a good connection. Usually if a sending unit goes bad it don't fiddle in the middle. But stranger things have been known to happen.

Answer 6

That light is telling you that the oil pressure is low, not the oil level. Take it to a shop and have them test it with a master gauge. That will tell you if you have a bad sender unit or a more serious problem. I definatey would not drive this car until you know what the problem is. If the pressure is that bad you have a big problem.

Answer 7

You are right. As long as you check the oil regularly, then everything will be fine. As you said, it must be some problems with the indicator that checks the oil or the fuse. But, also check if it is leaking oil.

Answer 8

sounds like you need to replace the Oil Sending unit or Oil Pump
if you don't get it fixed you maybe buying a motor

good luck

Answer 9

Just because its full dosent mean its pumping oil up top! Get it checked it may only be the oil sending unit or may be more serious not good to gamble on your engine!!Good Luck

Answer 10

Check the sending unit... you could also install a manual gauge in-line with the sender or instead of it. be sure the sender hasn't blown apart... oil will dump in about 30 seconds.