Problem Engine Oil Warning Light On

Problem: Engine Oil Warning Light On

By Larry Carley c2007

If the engine oil pressure warning light is on, it may mean your engine has lost normal oil pressure. STOP driving immediately and turn the engine off. The engine can be severely damaged if oil pressure is lost.

Possible Causes of Low Oil Pressure Warning Light:

A low oil level (check the dipstick), bad oil pump, or defective oil pressure sending unit, oil pressure gauge or warning light switch.

Diagnosis:

First, determine if the oil is full or low by checking the dipstick. If low, the engine may be leaking or burning oil. On some vehicles, there is an oil level sensor in the engine that will turn on the oil warning light if the level is low.

If the oil level is between ADD and FULL, and the engine was making noise when it was running, the problem may be a bad oil pump. DO NOT run the engine until the problem can be repaired. Oil pressure can be checked by attaching a pressure gauge to the engine where the oil pressure sending unit is attached. If oil pressure is within specifications (typically 10 psi for every 1000 rpm) the oil pump is okay. If pressure is less than specifications, the oil pump may be worn, or the engine bearings may be worn.

If the oil level is between ADD and FULL, and the engine was running normally (no noise) after the oil pressure warning light came on, the problem may be a defective pressure sending unit, gauge or warning light switch. You can probably start the engine and drive the vehicle home or to a shop for repairs. But if the engine starts to become noisy, STOP and shut off the engine.

Repairs:

If the oil level is low, add oil to the engine to bring the level up to the FULL mark on the dipstick. DO NOT overfill the crankcase. Use the type of oil viscosity specified in the vehicle owners manual.

If the oil pump is bad (does not produce adequate pressure), the oil pump will have to be replaced. On most engines, the oil pump is located inside the oil pan on the bottom of the engine. The pan must be removed to replace the pump. This may require raising the engine and/or removing steering or suspension components that are in the way so the pan can be removed. On other engines, the oil pump is located inside the timing cover on the front of the engine. Disassembly required removing most of the components on the front of the engine to access the pump.

If oil pressure is low because of worn engine bearings, the crankshaft bearings will have to be replaced. This usually requires overhauling or replacing the engine.

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Motor Oil Related Articles:

Troubleshooting Low Oil Pressure
Oil Pump Diagnosis
Motor Oil Viscosity
Diagnosing Engine Noise
Engine Bearings: Stock & Performance

Got a Low Oil Pressure Problem? Engine Leaking or Burning Oil?

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