Oil light flickering

Tiny
PLUXO
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
A couple days ago I brought my car to the mechanic to get my ball joint fixed. On my way home I noticed my oil light flickering. Didn't think it was much of a problem because my oil change was due. Changed my oil (not the filter, couldn't get it off. That is a first) and the light wasn't on for a day or two. Now my light is back on flickering, stays on, or doesn't flicker or light up at all.

Please note: My light doesn't come on while I am moving. When I stop at a red light or stop sign, it flickers. Dropped my wife off at work, and when I was parked it stayed on.

Sometimes I can smell a bit of a burning smell, not all the time, but on my way home I got a quick smell of something. Not sure if it was outside or my car.

I have noticed my RPM's are a bit higher. At 55 mph I get 2,250. In the morning drive, 60 mph puts me at 2,750. Ten minutes later, 60 mph puts me at about 2,350 RPM's.

These videos were taken twenty one minutes apart. The one with my gas light on was at the gas station. The next one is me in my garage at home. No light in drive, park, etc.

Please help.

Also note: I have no tools other than sockets. I don't have any code readers, etc. So either way it needs to go to a mechanic, but I would still like to know a potential issue.
Sunday, February 17th, 2019 AT 4:27 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good evening,

The first thing you need to do is to replace the oil and filter. The filter has to go as it could be partially blocked causing low oil pressure.

Then I would have the oil pressure itself tested to be sure the oil pump is working. If it is, then the switch is bad. If the pressure is low, then you either have a failed oil pump or worn bearings in the motor.

Roy
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Sunday, February 17th, 2019 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
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Thank you. I will have to get it looked at. Quick question: Could any of the possible things above cause this?

Left the house to get the girl from work. Pulling into the garage, squealing comes from the hood. I open it up and it looks like there is some smoke coming from the belt. But it seemed like things were wet (snow melted?) Could water on the belt cause it to squeal? Put my hand down there to feel the liquid and it wasn't oily.
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Sunday, February 17th, 2019 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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No, not at all.

This is a separate issue from either lack of pressure or a bad sender unit.

Roy
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Sunday, February 17th, 2019 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
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So, water on my belt cannot cause a squeal?
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Sunday, February 17th, 2019 AT 5:25 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
When you said to cause this, I assumed you meant the oil light we were talking about.

If it was the squeal, you water on the belt will cause the noise.

Roy
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Sunday, February 17th, 2019 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
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Thank you Roy. I will come back here with any further questions.
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Sunday, February 17th, 2019 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Sunday, February 17th, 2019 AT 5:30 PM

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