Oil light flashing?

Tiny
DMARPLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89 MILES
The oil light on my vehicle listed above keeps coming on. I tried an oil change and filter replacement and it still keeps happening. It only happens when the car is idling, not when its moving. What else could it be?
Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 AT 4:30 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This could be a couple things but the most common cause of low pressure on an older vehicle is it is just getting worn out. The pressure in an engine is created by the pump forcing oil through the tight passages in the oil system. When those tolerances get larger the pressure drops. Then at idle and low RPM situations the pressure drops far enough to turn the light on.

Here is a guide that talks about this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/high-or-low-engine-oil-pressure

Next we need to check a couple things. First is to see if the pressure sensor is accurate because the other possible causes are a sensor issue, pump issue, or wrong oil (too thin).

So if we hook up a mechanical gauge and it is the same and showing low then we know the sensor is not the issue. So that means it is the pump or the engine is just worn

I attached info on how to do this test.

If you find out that the pressure is low at idle, I would just use an oil thickener so that it takes up that difference in the bearings. If the light still comes on, then the pump is the issue.

Let us know what questions you have. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 7th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM
Tiny
BRYAN LONCARIC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
  • 155,000 MILES
My wife just called and said every time she lets off the gas to hit the brakes, her oil gauge drops and now the oil light is coming on. Is this a sign of a possible bad oil switch. It has been a little while since she had the oil changed. I just don't have the foggiest since I'm not able to work on the vehicle until the weekend. She may have someone able to do it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Sounds like low oil pressure to me. Have the oil checked and if stays on she should not drive it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 AT 9:28 AM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links