Oil Pressure Light
#1
Oil Pressure Light
I recently took my 1997 Chrysler Cirrus in for a Winter Tune-Up, where they check all the fluids, rotate tires, etc. It seems that ever since that day, about 75% of the time I drive my car, after it has warmed up (ie. driven a couple of miles) whenever I slow down for a light or stop for a stop sign, the oil pressure gauge comes on. As soon as I hit the accellerator to begin moving again, it goes off. I have checked the oil numerous times, and there is plenty of oil in there. Any ideas as to what the problem is, and what I can myself do to have it remedied?
#2
the safest thing...
...is to STOP driving it until you either check it out...or have it checked out. if you, in fact, have an oil pressure problem, you are making it worse by driving it. having said that...you need to check the oil pressure with a mechanical guage...sometimes dash guages lie. after knowing that you either have good pressure, in which case then there is an electrical problem, or you don't...engine mechanical issues...then we can proceed with more advice
#4
This may be of some interest ...
I had the pleasure of working on one of these 97 Cirrus' with the Mitsubishi 2.5 just this past summer. It suffered from the exact same problem as you described.
First, I removed the oil pressure sending unit from the engine and connected a calibrated mechanical oil pressure gauge. Once the engine was up to operating temperature and the car was put in drive with the brakes on, the gauge read well more than as per specifications.
( Minimum 6 PSI @ idle and 35 to 75 PSI @ 3000 rpm – Haynes manual)
I then purchased a new oil pressure sending unit from the dealer and installed it. The oil light never illuminated again under the same circumstances for at least two weeks.
Long story short - the replacement oil pressure sending unit failed and the dealer replaced it with yet another unit.
Take the vehicle to a service tech and he/she will check to see if the oil level, pump, sending unit is at fault. It shouldn't be expensive.
First, I removed the oil pressure sending unit from the engine and connected a calibrated mechanical oil pressure gauge. Once the engine was up to operating temperature and the car was put in drive with the brakes on, the gauge read well more than as per specifications.
( Minimum 6 PSI @ idle and 35 to 75 PSI @ 3000 rpm – Haynes manual)
I then purchased a new oil pressure sending unit from the dealer and installed it. The oil light never illuminated again under the same circumstances for at least two weeks.
Long story short - the replacement oil pressure sending unit failed and the dealer replaced it with yet another unit.
Take the vehicle to a service tech and he/she will check to see if the oil level, pump, sending unit is at fault. It shouldn't be expensive.
#6
Originally posted by ConfusedGuy
It was still over $100 for them to find the problem and replace the unit though.
It was still over $100 for them to find the problem and replace the unit though.