oil Light comes on?

Question

I have this 1997 Chevy cavalier with an oil light coming on. The only time it comes on when I come to a stop. When i accelerate and go it goes away. I replaced the oil switch with a new one and light is still coming on. There are no oil leaks of any kind, and I don't believe the oil pump is bad but I could be wrong because it is not making any kind of noises when I'm driving. Has plenty of oil in motor. If it's a pitched wire any ideas to pin point? I had a friend do some work on it and he did mention the oil pan has a small dent and that could be a possibility. Any ideas?

Answer 1

could be a clogged pickup screen

Answer 2

Worn crank/rod bearings or a weak oil pump. A dent couldn't have anything to do with it. Thin oil isn't it either. Thicker oil makes for higher pressure, but only because the oil is harder to pump. 50W might raise the pressure, but you'd actually be getting less oil flow, so that would be a dumb solution. It's hard to tell if it's a bad pump or worn bearing, but a new pump is a lot easier to try than rebuilding the engine.
First, check your voltage when idling. Some alternators don't run at low idle, and low voltage could cause the oil pressure reading to appear too low.

Answer 3

The only way to know for sure what the oil pressure is to put a pressure gage on it...most oil pressure switches are set around 5 pounds, so if it comes on, your oil pressure is too low. Anything less than 10 psi at idle is a problem that needs to be repaired.

Even if your engine isn't making noises yet, it will if this continues...so put a gage on it, then replace the oil pump if it shows you need it.

Answer 4

I would put an oil pressure gauge on it and see exactly what the oil pressure is than decide what needs to be done from that. You should be able to get the "normal" oil pressure for you engine from a mechanic.

Answer 5

are you using a too fine oil? so it needs the extra revs to build up pressure?
or is the oil getting too hot thus causing the same as above to happen?