Oil light flashing on and off intermittently

WOLFLIGHT

MEMBER
2001 PONTIAC GRAND AM
3.4L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
165,000 MILES

About a week ago, the check oil light started flashing on and off at fairly intermittent intervals. I have had the oil sensing valve (at least that's what I think it was called, as I'm an IT person, not a mechanic) replaced before for a similar problem. The car has around 165,000 miles on it and I use it mostly for commuting to and from work. I need this car to run reliably as we cannot afford to replace it and I need to miss as little work as possible for obvious financial reasons. Is this something where I need to take it to my preferred shop, Goodyear, as soon as possible, or is it something where I can just add oil to the engine and it will go away?

3 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Every driver, even the ones that are not mechanically capable should know how to check all fluid levels, including and especially motor oil and understand what the lights on their vehicle mean. This light could be an oil level light or an oil pressure light and you need to know the difference. If it's an oil level light, then you should be checking the oil level. If it is an oil pressure light and the engine isn't low on low, then it needs to immediately go to a qualified shop for testing and it should be towed there not driven.

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Saturday, December 13th, 2014 AT 4:22 AM

WOLFLIGHT

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I definitely know how to check all of the fluids on the car and add fluid as needed as needed. That and changing a tire are essential knowledge for having a car as far as I'm concerned. The oil light is a red light that looks like an old oil can and it has flashed on about 6 times in the last several days. There is a separate indicator that comes on when it's time to change the oil. It's yellow and I had my oil changed less than 3,000 miles ago. That's something I keep up on religiously. The engine starts fine and runs smoothly, so it's likely getting good oil pressure. Of course, I'm not an expert on cars, just someone who drives this car on an almost daily basis back and forth to work and for errands occasionally. I plan to check the oil on the car this weekend, and add oil as needed to assess the oil level.

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Saturday, December 13th, 2014 AT 4:32 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Your owners manual is where you would find out what that light means but that sounds like a low pressure indicator. You DO NOT know if it has good pressure or not without testing it. The first time you see an indication in the way the engine runs will be the point that you need a new engine so my previous advice stands. Do not drive it until the pressure is confirmed and of course you should be checking the oil level.

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Saturday, December 13th, 2014 AT 4:38 AM