O.K., my oil light continues to come on and off. However, I found out something more this time. When I drive at a speed for the appropriate gear that I'm driving the oil light will not come on. Example: I'm going 45 miles per hour, I'm good in 3rd gear. The oil light won't come on. However, If I go into 4th gear at 45 miles per hour the oil light will come on and off, sometimes even stay until I go back to the appropriate gear for the speed that I'm driving. Now, the options for the previous question was Sender unit or Oil Pump. Which one does it sound like to you guys now that I've done my further investigation and told you from this earlier portion of this paragraph I just wrote?
2007-02-16 18:11:21 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I didn't read your earlier post, but here's my two bits.
The sender unit is the more likely. They go flakey all the time and it's a $20 part and can be replaced with a socket wrench in a few minutes. If it happened to be a pressure gauge rather than just a light, a bad sender will cause the needle to kind of jump around depending on the engine rpm.
If, after that you still have problems, then I would consider the pump, which is going to be a more serious outlay of cash and time.
If your pump was truly bad, I would expect the light to always be on at idle and the engine to run rough, if it hasn't already managed to seize.
2007-02-16 18:24:20 · answer #1 · answered by John E 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How long has it been since you changed the oil and filter? I have seen new oil filters where the check valve gets stuck inside and has actually blown up because of restrictions. I would have a new oil change and filter and try again. If the oil sending unit is not too expensive try this next.
If the engine is a really high mileage engine it may just have too much wear inside and the oil pump can't maintain pressure at lower RPM's because the bearings and internal parts of the engine are too loose. If this problem has just started I would suspect the sending unit. The pump is inside of the engine so it might cost a bit to get in there to change it. If the light has been going on and off for a long time I would suspect extreme engine wear and or sludge build over the oil pump pickup screen.
2007-02-17 02:46:30 · answer #2 · answered by Timer2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 45 mph in 4th gear your engine is running slower than in 3rd gear at 45 mph, and your oil pump is running slower, putting out less oil.
If your engine has high miles it may be an indication that your engine is worn out.
I suggest that you buy a new oil pressure switch. They are easy to install and relatively inexpensive.
Another option is to buy an oil pressure gauge and install it in place of your idiot light. The gauge will read the actual oil pressure. You can probably buy one for around $20.00
2007-02-17 02:48:09 · answer #3 · answered by carman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK you could have a few thing wrong, but , change the oil light swicth first,, if that does not work, change the oil filter,some time it could be holding the oil back, now if this dont work, you got a big job ahead of you, it going to be the oil pump, are main going bad,, ooooooo yes cheack the oil conter wire, make sure it is ok
2007-02-17 08:56:12 · answer #4 · answered by ghostwalker077 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How many miles on your engine? Can you pull off a valve cover and see if it's gummed up from not changing the oil regularly? You might try an engine flush.
2007-02-17 02:58:57 · answer #5 · answered by m k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the more RPM's you give it the engine needs to work harder.
a lil cheatin trick is give it a better "viscosity" type oil like Shaffer's, Lucas.
where as the oil will adhere to it better.my guess is the pump. be care full not to over excel if need not be for now.
But thats just cheatin! for a lil while longer.
2007-02-17 05:57:08 · answer #6 · answered by jzbnkat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋