1998 Dodge Intrepid Oil Pressure Light

DODGE INTREPID
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SADEHE
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  • 3 POSTS
PLEASE HELP US. WE HAVE A 1998 DODGE INTREPID WITH 168400 MILES ON IT. WE JUST PURCHASED IT USED AND CHANGED THE OIL AFTER WE GOT IT. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS CAME ON WHILE WE WERE STOPPED AND WENT OFF IMMEDITELY AFTER WE PUT OUT FOOL ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHAT CAN CAUSE THIS. THANK YOU.
Mar 17, 2006 at 5:39 PM
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VANDRAGON
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 298 POSTS
if the light was not on before you changed the oil, it could be wrong weight oil, sludge build-up in oil pan and on pick-up tube or even oil pump going bad. chrysler says to use10w30 or the weight just below.
i hope this helped.
Mar 18, 2006 at 2:38 AM
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JPAM
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 307 POSTS
is the car running any different? bfore and after oil change.. knocking from motor at all??
Was it bought from private party or used lot??
Just wondering... but if it is knocking now let me know thnks jess s.
Mar 18, 2006 at 7:54 AM
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SADEHE
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no no knocking in motor. and the owners manuel said 5w 30 but what i have saw since is the 10w 30 thanks. and not it isnt running any different. motor is real quiet as far as that goes.
Mar 18, 2006 at 3:07 PM
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SADEHE
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and from a used lot. but we still havethe title and it was a one owner before i could check with them thanks for the thought.
Mar 18, 2006 at 3:08 PM
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MRBUZZ63
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  • 1 POST
that car has a common problem with the oil pressure sending unit.it has one wire although the plug to it is made for two wires.what you need to do is vent the empty part of the plug for the oil pressure sending by taking a thin pick and pushing it through the empty slot.then put a small tube like from a can of intake cleaner in it and wire tie it to the other wire.that should fix it.
Mar 23, 2007 at 1:25 PM

Suggested Repair

Confirm the oil is Chrysler-recommended 10W-30 or the next lower weight. If the light began after the oil change, inspect for sludge in the oil pan and on the pickup tube and consider a weak oil pump. Also check the oil-pressure sending unit, a common Intrepid issue: the one-wire sender uses a two-wire plug, so vent the empty plug slot with a thin pick, insert a small tube, and secure it to the harness wire.

Conversation Summary

A recently purchased 1998 Dodge Intrepid with about 168,400 miles shows the oil pressure light while stopped; it goes out as soon as the accelerator is pressed. There is no knock and the engine runs the same and quietly after an oil change. The manual lists 5W-30, while replies noted Chrysler's 10W-30 recommendation. Suggested causes were incorrect oil weight, sludge in the pan or on the pickup, a failing oil pump, or a sending-unit plug that needs to be vented.

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