1994 Ford Taurus Oil light stays on

RSUKOVICH

MEMBER
1994 FORD TAURUS

Electrical problem
1994 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 160K miles

Re: Taurus GL Wagon, 3.8L Engine. The oil light stays on for no apparent mechanical reason, so I'm exploring that there might be an electrical problem. I might mention that electrically, I replaced the oil pressure switch with a new one. My question is; Is there any reason that the oil light will stay on because of an electrical malfunction, like possibly the switch that I put in is no good, maybe a short, etc. One other thing that I should tell you is that while I was reinstalling my exaust pipes, one of the sensors on the pipe made contact with a tansmission surface and sparked. The sensor was not connected to any electrical source at that time.

6 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Disconnect oil pressure switch and isolate connector away from ground and engine
start engine if no light problem switch or low oil pressure and or faulty oil pump

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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 8:07 AM

RSUKOVICH

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OK, I'll give it a try. Also, someone mentioned to me that there might be a "plug" out. I'm sure he doesn't mean a spark plug, so I don't know what kind of plug he means. Is there any think of that type that might be part of the front cover?

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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 2:28 PM

RSUKOVICH

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OK, I'll try that test but before I do I need to know an answer to the following question; When the key is turned on prior to starting the engine, several lights come on on the instrument panel and when the engine is started they go out. The only exception to this is the oil light. It does not go on as the others do when I turn the key and when I start the engine, the oil light comes on and stays on. I don't believe I mentioned this before and it might important in determining what the problem is.

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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 6:37 PM

BMRFIXIT

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19,053 POSTS

Try new oil pressure switch
check charging system and alternator

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Monday, May 3rd, 2010 AT 5:45 AM

RSUKOVICH

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I'm on my second new oil pressure switch and the fact that all of the lights, including the charging light, go out when the engine is started tells me that the charging system is working.L I just think that there might be a clue to my problem when the oil light doesn't come on when I turn the key on prior to starting the engine and the rest of the lights do.