PAULUNM

Hello- did a search on this topic, found the topic, but no resolution. I noticed my oil light flicker very quickly when I was parked on a slope (truck leaning toward drivers side), then later when stopped in Drive, or Reverse, but not neutral. Oil is full- I did just have the timing belt and all related parts changed- Ideas? BTW, the truck has 176k miles.

PAULUNM

Any ideas? I'm worried it's the motor...

fillsrunner4

is the meter itself flickering (0-full) or is it the bulb? if its the bulb then just pull the dash apart to get to the bulb and replace it if not maybe its a bad ground to the sensor or the sensor could be going bad

fillsrunner4

as for the motor, the only way it could really be messed up if there is a clog in the oil system and if you motor reads no oil then you will notice the motor will be destroyed withing a few mins if not faster(asuming there is truely no pressure in the lines Unlikely though). as for to much pressure that could mean the is a clog and you may be recieving ouil in one place but not the other or less in another. a new sensor which is on the drivers side right next to the oil filter will cost you about ~$50 or less to replace and is an easy un bolt and install the new one process. hope this helps some

PAULUNM

The light itself flickers, but I don't think it's the bulb- I haven't been able to find much on low oil pressure problems with these motors- mine seems to have been fairly well maintained. I will have the actual pressure checked with a gage next week.

fillsrunner4

its gonna be either a ground but i bet if it were ground it would be more than just that light... so im gonna say buld. cheap and the easiest thing to replace

BajaRunner

This usually just means your brake fluid is low!!!

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

isn't it the handbrake light the lights up when brake fluid is low? that's what i experienced before when the master cylinder had a leak due to a loose connection of one brake line.

PAULUNM

It's the oil light, not the brake light that is flickering.

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

i was referring to SC4Runner's post.

how many times has this happened? maybe either or both the sending unit or sensor are dirty or just loose..

Adam F

Safest thing to do would be to do an oil pressure test on it. You can buy a cheap gauge at Harbor Freight and do it yourself. Look in the FSM to see what it should be. If your getting proper oil pressure, then you know its the gauge or the sender.

BajaRunner

Ooops sorry, long day.

98runner210

What would make u think that the bulb is bad? Something is making the bulb come on.

icerunner

Hi,
I find it "telling" that this only happens when the truck is not on a flat surface. You are likely momentarily lossing oil pressure when the truck is tilted. Think of how the oil sits in the pan, when the truck is tilted the oil in the pan may not be fully covering the oil sump.....If the oil sump sucks air instead off oil... hence a loss in oil presure and then the coveted "oil light".... Just My best Guess...
have you ever seen an accident where a car flips over on its hood with the engine running ....?
No oil for "sump" to suck up and the engine is destroyed (with mega white smoke) in less than 30 seconds.... FYI "Synthetic oil" will buy you some more time and this has been proven in professional races where oil presure drops and instead of quiting the the driver drives (white knuckled) on to the finish to win the race... Kick ass shiznit!
icerunner over and out...

PAULUNM

It also happens when on level ground- in Drive or Reverse, but stopped. When it is in Neutral, the light goes off.

icerunner

Hi,
What kind of oil are you running and how any miles are on your engine? Any knocking/ pre detonation sounds?
Could Engine oil sludge be reducing oil pressure?
Check your oil filter as it may have collapsed (internally) Carefully, Cut it the oil filter open to inspect for debris, oil sludge or for filter failure.
I don't really know what it may be?

Adam F

I've had my truck WAAAY more tilted offroad than you ever would encounter on the street, and never once has the oil light come on.

Sure, flip the rig upside down and you'll starve your engine for oil. But parking on a slope should never starve the engine for oil.

PAULUNM

I'm not sure what kind of oil it has in it- I haven't had it long enough to change the oil! The motor sounds completely fine- runs very smooth. Oil looks very clean- so my assumption is that I don't have a sludge problem. Truck has 176k miles on it.

progress4m

I have seen a post here a while back… same symptoms as in your case. Problem was traced to “bad” oil filter. I hope that helps.

98runner210

If it isn't doing it in neutral it seems like there is a problem with the pump. Seems like your describing that it doesn't come on with a higher idle like when in neutral. I've seen s acouple of cases like this and it was the oil pump failing.