Oil light on

Tiny
EMORYM
  • MEMBER
  • DODGE CARAVAN
Hi, I have a 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan with 132,000 miles. My oil light just started coming on and beeping only when I slow down and come to a stop. As soon as I accelerate, it stops. I checked the oil level and it is full. I'm just trying to figure out what is going on. I truly appreciate your help. Emory
Tuesday, March 14th, 2006 AT 11:36 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
CARAVANOGRE67
  • MECHANIC
  • 22 POSTS
What it sounds like to me from what you are saying is when you decrease rpm you lose oil pressure right. And when you increase it goes off. What is happening is your oil pressure is dropping into the area where the computer is putting on the light. You either need to get your oil pump replaced or check the oil pressure sensor.
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Friday, August 4th, 2006 AT 1:22 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon,

You need to have someone do a manual oil pressure test to verify you have oil pressure at idle.

That is when they remove the oil pressure switch and insert a gauge to measure the actual pressure.

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

Roy
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
DDOGG69
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • DODGE CARAVAN
Hi I have a 1998 dodge grand caravan with the 3.3 litre engine. When the van is cold and you start it the oil light will not come on. But once it warms up the light will come on when it is idleing. If you rev the engine a little to about 1600 rpm the light and buzzer go off. So when im driving 55-60 mph the light is usually off until I let off the gas to slow down, then it starts beeping and the light comes on until I give it more gas. Every once in awhile you will have to have a higher rpm to keep it off. Any ideas of what is causing this. Thanks in advance
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GREASE MONKEY
  • MECHANIC
  • 23 POSTS
How many miles do you have on it? You need to put a gauge on it and see what it says. You should have at least 40-50 psi cold & I would hope it would not fall below 10-15 psi hot.
Check the pressurer with a gauge and let me know
hope this helps
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HANABUBBA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I recently changed my oil and a few weeks later when my engine gets warm my oil light comes on and the bell starts ringing. If I give it a little gas it stops or if I put it in park it also stops. I want to know is it my oil sending unit? And if so where is it located.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

First make sure the oil is full. If it is, check the oil sending unit for leaks. My guess is the seal is leaking and allowing pressure to be released and at idle, the pressure is already at its lowest so the light comes on. If it's not leaking, I would still replace it because it is most likely causing the problem. If it still comes on after a new sending unit, have the pressure checked by a mechanic.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROLLTIDE74
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine problem
1998 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 165000 miles

I have a Dodge Caravan 98 that is giving off a false oil light reading.I've check everything that would cause this as in low oil, to thin oil, & pressure.I still don't know what may cause this. What other thing may cause this & how do I fix it?
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
First thing is remove the oil sending unit, screw in a test gauge, take readings, you should see 10 psi for every 1000 RPM's. If ok replace the sender, it's usually right near the filter.
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Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 AT 6:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Hi,

Any of the things you mentioned can cause a false positive. Make sure the oil is clean and full. If it is, then take the connector off the oil pressure sensor and see if it is full of oil. These sensors can often times fail and allow oil pressure to be lost through the center of the sensor.

If you provide the engine size, I can get you testing info as well as directions, location of sensor, and so on.

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 AT 7:18 PM

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