Oil pumps do fail, but it is rare. Start by checking the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. You want minumum of 10psi at idle on hot engine (20psi would be better).
You most likely have a bad lifter or oil starved lifter, which could be caused by the pump, or excessive sludge buildup in oil galleys.
The flichering is usually an intermittent open circuit.
Go to any autoparts store and have the charging system rtested.
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Friday, December 25th, 2009 AT 9:12 AM