OIL LIGHT CAME ON? need advice

sfm7315 · 03-16-2009, 02:09 PM

Hello everyone I need some expert opinions asap!!!!.
This morning while doing about 65mph on freeway the oil light came on!
I pulled over and checked oil -it's fine. Just had it changed at dealer last week. Engine runs smooth -no issues . I took it to dealer they had it all day checked it out no visual problems but I have to bring it back tomorrow because the told me they need a speacial adaptor to fully diagnose it. Can someone give me ideas on what to expect before they try to hose me!!
It's a 98 4Runner Limited 133000 miles on clock

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Gerdo · 03-16-2009, 06:42 PM

You need to make sure that you have oil pressure. You can hook up a pressure gauge or you can just replace the oil sending unit. If you do have pressure then the oil sending unit is probably bad.

Skrillah · 03-16-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerdo

You need to make sure that you have oil pressure. You can hook up a pressure gauge or you can just replace the oil sending unit. If you do have pressure then the oil sending unit is probably bad.

Ditto

sfm7315 · 03-16-2009, 06:59 PM

Is the sending unit big bucks?

gohawks · 03-16-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfm7315

Is the sending unit big bucks?

No.

I guess really depends on your definition of big bucks. Aftermarket is pdc, pretty darn cheap.

neoworm0 · 03-16-2009, 08:50 PM

I have a good one I can sell you. OEM.

86tuning · 03-16-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gohawks

No.

I guess really depends on your definition of big bucks.

The sending unit is definately not big bucks.

The alternative is definately big bucks. HUGE BUCKS.

Nuthuts96 · 03-17-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86tuning

The sending unit is definately not big bucks.

The alternative is definately big bucks. HUGE BUCKS.

i laughed...out loud. thank you!

sfm7315 · 03-17-2009, 06:06 PM

Ok I'm going to get my lumps on this but here it is: Dealership changed oil sending unit but not 100% sure it was the cause of light coming on. Anyways the total was $168.00 Cnd.
Oil pressure readings were:8.1psi at idle and 20-30psi at 3000 rpm
Does that sound normal?

rbh261 · 03-17-2009, 06:27 PM

Straight from FSM

3. REMOVE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH
Using SST, remove the oil pressure switch.
SST 09816–30010
4. INSTALL OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
5. WARM UP ENGINE
Allow the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature.
6. CHECK OIL PRESSURE
Oil pressure:
at idle 29 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3 psi) or more
at 3,000 rpm 245 – 520 kPa (2.5 – 5.3 kgf/cm2, 36 – 75 psi)

Looks like you may be a little low at 3k rpm, but this can be dependent on oil condition,oil weight and I would imagine filter condition may affect your results too. I use 5w-20 Syntec blend and would expect a lower number if I checked my pressure. My '77 Jeep holds about 60psi, but I use 20w-50 oil in it to get it there. 10w-30 results in lower pressure. Without a gauge, I would probably stick to 10w-30(in my Jeep) and never think twice of it.

sfm7315 · 03-17-2009, 06:54 PM

Oil change was done 2weeks ago at dealer, hmmm I wonder if they put on the right filter?, so you are suggesting to switch to 10w30?

rbh261 · 03-17-2009, 07:02 PM

No, not suggesting. Just saying heavier weights can increase oil pressure. On the other hand, heavier oil may not flow at a high enough rate to do the job. I work in a Ford service dept. and I can honestly say I would probably stick to a weight close to manufacturers specs. I would, however, use the best oil I could afford to use if I thought I was having a problem with oil pressure. A heavier oil isn't going to necessarily provide better lubrication, although it will show you higher oil pressure. I used my Jeep as an example, but it is a '77 model and the heavier weight is probably beneficial in this application. I hope I'm not confusing you.

sfm7315 · 03-17-2009, 07:15 PM

point well taken, thanks for the advice!

86tuning · 03-18-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfm7315

Oil pressure readings were:8.1psi at idle and 20-30psi at 3000 rpm
Does that sound normal?

If the oil is HOT during this check, then yes it's normal and perfectly acceptable.

If the oil was COLD during this check, you have low oil pressure, which is often caused by excessive bearing clearances. This would be very labour intensive to repair.

If it were my car, I'd run a synthetic 10w30 and see what happens. If the oil light doesn't come on anymore when the oil is HOT HOT HOT then just keep on truckin.

ARB1977 · 03-19-2009, 02:46 AM

I run 0W30. At cold start its around 75 psi. Once warm on the freeway (2200 rpm or so) between 45-50 rpm.

03-16-2009, 06:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gerdo Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SouthWest Littleton, Colorado Posts: 842	You need to make sure that you have oil pressure. You can hook up a pressure gauge or you can just replace the oil sending unit. If you do have pressure then the oil sending unit is probably bad. __________________ 2000 4Runner Sport, 3.4L, 5 Speed, Custom Front Winch Bumper, Opened intake, K&N Airfilter, BFG A/T LT265/70R16, Bilstein Shocks, FreeFlow Exhaust, Poly Rack Mounts & Swaybar Mounts, Tundra TRDs up front and OME 891s out back. ToyTec Panhard Bar Drop. SS Front Diff Drop. Home-built 2x2 Sliders. ARB rear locker, OBA, CO2 See My 4Runner!

03-16-2009, 08:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
neoworm0 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 604	I have a good one I can sell you. OEM. __________________ 1995 Toyota PU SR5. 2000 3.4l V6 and a few other mods. my album: http://www.yotatech.com/album.php?albumid=101 my SAS: http://picasaweb.google.com/areinhol...eat=directlink www.overlandcanada.ca www.alltracwagon.net

03-17-2009, 06:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
rbh261 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Martinsville, VA Posts: 146	Straight from FSM 3. REMOVE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH Using SST, remove the oil pressure switch. SST 09816–30010 4. INSTALL OIL PRESSURE GAUGE 5. WARM UP ENGINE Allow the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature. 6. CHECK OIL PRESSURE Oil pressure: at idle 29 kPa (0.3 kgf/cm2, 4.3 psi) or more at 3,000 rpm 245 – 520 kPa (2.5 – 5.3 kgf/cm2, 36 – 75 psi) Looks like you may be a little low at 3k rpm, but this can be dependent on oil condition,oil weight and I would imagine filter condition may affect your results too. I use 5w-20 Syntec blend and would expect a lower number if I checked my pressure. My '77 Jeep holds about 60psi, but I use 20w-50 oil in it to get it there. 10w-30 results in lower pressure. Without a gauge, I would probably stick to 10w-30(in my Jeep) and never think twice of it. __________________ '98 4-Runner SR5 V6 Automatic Intake elbow removed, Sony head unit, Sony Class-D amp, Sony 10" sub enclosure and F&R components Brad Hall Service Advisor Nelson Automotive Group 201 Commonwealth Blvd. Martinsville, VA 24112 276-638-2331 www.autosbynelson.com Last edited by rbh261; 03-17-2009 at 07:03 PM. Reason: clarification

03-17-2009, 06:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
sfm7315 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ontario , Canada Posts: 49	Oil change was done 2weeks ago at dealer, hmmm I wonder if they put on the right filter?, so you are suggesting to switch to 10w30? Last edited by sfm7315; 03-17-2009 at 06:55 PM.

03-17-2009, 07:02 PM	#12 (permalink)
rbh261 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Martinsville, VA Posts: 146	No, not suggesting. Just saying heavier weights can increase oil pressure. On the other hand, heavier oil may not flow at a high enough rate to do the job. I work in a Ford service dept. and I can honestly say I would probably stick to a weight close to manufacturers specs. I would, however, use the best oil I could afford to use if I thought I was having a problem with oil pressure. A heavier oil isn't going to necessarily provide better lubrication, although it will show you higher oil pressure. I used my Jeep as an example, but it is a '77 model and the heavier weight is probably beneficial in this application. I hope I'm not confusing you. __________________ '98 4-Runner SR5 V6 Automatic Intake elbow removed, Sony head unit, Sony Class-D amp, Sony 10" sub enclosure and F&R components Brad Hall Service Advisor Nelson Automotive Group 201 Commonwealth Blvd. Martinsville, VA 24112 276-638-2331 www.autosbynelson.com

03-16-2009, 06:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
sfm7315 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ontario , Canada Posts: 49	Is the sending unit big bucks?

03-17-2009, 06:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
sfm7315 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ontario , Canada Posts: 49	Ok I'm going to get my lumps on this but here it is: Dealership changed oil sending unit but not 100% sure it was the cause of light coming on. Anyways the total was $168.00 Cnd. Oil pressure readings were:8.1psi at idle and 20-30psi at 3000 rpm Does that sound normal?

03-17-2009, 07:15 PM	#13 (permalink)
sfm7315 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ontario , Canada Posts: 49	point well taken, thanks for the advice!

03-19-2009, 02:46 AM	#15 (permalink)
ARB1977 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: North Texas Posts: 301	I run 0W30. At cold start its around 75 psi. Once warm on the freeway (2200 rpm or so) between 45-50 rpm. __________________ 2002 TACOMA 3.4L 102K AND COUNTING

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