1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Oil Light at Idle

EMORYM

MEMBER
1 POST

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

Mar 14, 2006 at 3:36 AM

CARAVANOGRE67

✓Experienced 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.

Aug 3, 2006 at 6:22 PM

ASEMASTER6371

✓Experienced Mechanic
52,796 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

Apr 7, 2020 at 7:07 AM

DDOGG69

MEMBER
2 POSTS

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

Apr 7, 2020 at 11:16 AM (Merged)

GREASE MONKEY

✓Experienced 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

Apr 7, 2020 at 11:16 AM (Merged)

HANABUBBA

MEMBER
1 POST

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.

Apr 7, 2020 at 11:17 AM (Merged)

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,248 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

Apr 7, 2020 at 11:17 AM (Merged)

ROLLTIDE74

MEMBER
1 POST

Engine problem
1998 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Wheel Drive Type unknown Automatic 165000 miles
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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?

Apr 7, 2020 at 11:17 AM (Merged)

MERLIN2021

✓Experienced 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...

Apr 7, 2020 at 11:17 AM (Merged)

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

✓Experienced Mechanic
110,248 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

Apr 8, 2020 at 12:18 PM

Suggested Repair

Confirm the oil is full and clean. Remove the oil pressure sending unit and measure pressure with a mechanical gauge (about 10 psi per 1,000 rpm; roughly 40-50 psi cold and not below 10-15 psi hot). If pressure is normal, inspect the sensor and connector for leaks or oil and replace the sending unit, usually near the oil filter. If pressure is low at idle, the oil pump may need replacement.

Conversation Summary

A 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan owner reports the oil light and buzzer come on only when slowing or stopping, then go off when accelerating, even though the oil is full. Other owners of similar 1998 Caravans describe the same warm-idle warning. Experts say oil pressure is dropping into the warning range at low rpm. They advise a manual gauge test at the sending unit, checking the sensor for leaks or oil in the connector, replacing the sender if pressure is adequate, and considering the oil pump if measured pressure is low.

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1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Oil Light at Idle

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