2001 Dodge Neon ES

BLINDABRAXAS

MEMBER
2001 DODGE NEON

Car Info : Automatic, 88k miles, 2.0L engine with no modifications.

Problem : Oil warning light started coming on this morning on the way into work whenever RPMs dip below 1000. As soon as RPMs hit 1000 or more, light goes out. It's 12 degrees outside here in Michigan, and I'm running 10w30 mobil 1 synthetic.

It's been suggested this is a problem with the sending unit for the oil warning light, but I don't think that's accurate. There are no funny noises coming from the engine. I checked the oil when I got to work, and it looks a bit dirty but the level is right between max and min. If this is an oil pressure issue due to the oil viscosity thickening from the temperature, why would that start happening when the engine warmed up? It was about the time that the engine was in its normal operating temperature that this behavior began this morning.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

4 Replies

MATHIASO

MECHANIC
1,209 POSTS

You said that the oil was dirty, when last time did you change oil? How it look like, do you smell gasoline, is the oil sandy between your fingers?
Have the oil pressure tested to start with.
If the pressure is fine the indicator may be faulty.
Let us know

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Monday, January 29th, 2007 AT 11:07 AM

BLINDABRAXAS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The oil was changed about 3 months ago, but probably about 1500-2000 miles.

I don't smell gas, and the engine doesn't make funny noises.

I was thinking that I should change the oil to 5w30, it is odd that this didn't happen until the car was well warmed up, and then only when the engine dropped below 1000 rpms.

The car is parked outdoors and just went through a cold stretch where the weather was in the teens for a few days (was idle the weekend). It's not much warmer now, still 18 degrees.

I'll let you know about the pressure test and how it feels between the fingers.

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Monday, January 29th, 2007 AT 11:39 AM

BLINDABRAXAS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

If this is low pressure though, what am I looking at as far as causes? What are the most likely culprits? What is the long-term damage that can result?

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Monday, January 29th, 2007 AT 12:31 PM

MATHIASO

MECHANIC
1,209 POSTS

Let me start with your first question.
If your vehicle will be driven in temperature between 0 degrees fahrenheit and 32 degrees fahrenheit, than the chart recomends the use of either 5w30 or 10w30. If your vehicle will be driven only in temperature colder than 0 degree Fahrenheit , only 5w30 oil should be used.
I provide you the chart here:

you said this:If this is low pressure though, what am I looking at as far as causes? What are the most likely culprits? What is the long-term damage that can result?
well,if this is the situation,you may have faulty warning light or oil pump faulty, oil pump pressure relieve valve stuck open, block oil passages,block oil pick up tube screen, loose oil pick up tube, air leak in oil pick up tube.
oil pressure is important for the lubrication systems.
long term damage to your engine.
let us know after the oil pressure test.

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Tuesday, January 30th, 2007 AT 11:58 AM