Oil Light at Low Revs

[Bariot]

More than a year ago, when my oil light came on ocassionally, a mechanic told me I needed a new oil pump immediately. I went to another who told me it wasn't a big deal.

Since then (5,000+ miles), the light has been more dependable. It consistently lights after I drive for a couple minutes then come to a stop with the revs dropping below 1000. If I step on the accelerator, the light goes off once the revs are above 1000.

I recently sat in my car with the engine off listening to the radio for about 10-15 minutes and when I started the car, there wasn't enough battery power to start the car. The alternator, battery and cables are all new. I am wondering if these problems are connected.

Do I need a new oil pump? Is the battery charge somehow related?

Thanks.

[Brian R.]

What car are you talking about and how many miles does it have on it? What engine and transmission?

[zeek1403]

Whatever car it is, YOU NEED TO GET IT TO THE CLOSEST SHOP IMMEDIATELY! The engine could be seizing up!!!!!

[Mike Gerber]

The 2 problems are not related. The 2nd one is a battery, battery cable, alternator or alternator belt problem. The first one can be more serious. Take the car to a mechanic who will temporarily install a mechanical oil pressure gage and take reading of the oil pressure at various RPM's. Then he will check those readings against your car engine's specs. It could be a bad oil pump, or worn engine bearings or something as simple as a bad oil pressure sending unit.

Good luck.

Mike

[Brian R.]

Take it easy Zeek - he can afford the time to answer my questions before he takes it to a mechanic.

[jsinton]

How many miles does your car have? What year is it? What grade oil does it have? Have you tried using some STP to boost oil pressure? Did you have the timing belt changed recently? The oil pump is driven by the timing belt, and if you need a timing belt, it's really easy and cheap to change the oil pump at the same time (change the water pump too).

Your battery/charging system is unrelated to the oil pump thing. Take your car to Sears for a free charging system check.

Honestly, for old cars, I just use 20/50 weight motor oil, and maybe a can of STP oil treatment. It's racing class oil, and I can't see any difference in gas mileage.

[boytiti]

Originally Posted by Bariot

More than a year ago, when my oil light came on ocassionally, a mechanic told me I needed a new oil pump immediately. I went to another who told me it wasn't a big deal.

Since then (5,000+ miles), the light has been more dependable. It consistently lights after I drive for a couple minutes then come to a stop with the revs dropping below 1000. If I step on the accelerator, the light goes off once the revs are above 1000.

I recently sat in my car with the engine off listening to the radio for about 10-15 minutes and when I started the car, there wasn't enough battery power to start the car. The alternator, battery and cables are all new. I am wondering if these problems are connected.

Do I need a new oil pump? Is the battery charge somehow related?

Thanks.

Try replacing the oil pressure sending unit first and see what happened. if its doing the same thing then your oil pump probably need to be replaced.


This thing happened to my grandmas camry. Her oil warning light was on all the time and someone told her not to worry about it. When I check her car by removing the oil sending unit, theres no oil coming out when the engine is running. I disassembled the oil pump cover and found her oil pump pulley came off loose. I re-tighten the oil pump pulley that fixed the problem.

see my ride at >> http://preludevtec93.tripod.com/pics

[Bariot]

The car is a 93 Camry LE with 170K.

[Bariot]

93 Camry LE with 166K.
Thanks.