Blinking oil light

MAMASAM

MEMBER
2013 FORD ESCAPE
1.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

My oil light is blinking randomly.
I have checked it while the engine is cold, hot turned on and off. The oil level perfect. What would cause the light to blink for a few minutes then stop?
The manual is useless in diagnosing issues.
I know it is time for an oil change. I am a little over due contributed to long work hours but it is only maybe five hundred miles over. I am planning to take it in but was hoping I could wait another week or so when tax season is not so crazy. Do I have time or should I rush to get it in for service?

2 Replies

PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO

MECHANIC
1,853 POSTS

Well, the oil light I believe has to do with oil pressure not the oil level, but if the oil level was low enough it would also lose oil pressure cause the oil pump would have no oil to pickup.
I think the problem may be with either the oil pump and any pressure relief valve, or the oil pressure gauge and/or wiring. What I would do is with the engine idling, wiggle the wire plug at the oil pressure switch and see if the light does flicker off and on, so you may need a helper.
Then next if it does not is to check the actual oil pressure with a gauge and see if the pressure is truly fluctuating. If so, the problem is most likely with the oil pump. It could also be a failing oil pressure sensor/sender.