Ok guys, here is my problem! Along side the car not liking to fun when its wet outside, the oil light comes on. It comes on when the car is fully warm, and only when at red lights. It only comes on after abt 20 to 30 min of driving, and everything is nice and warm. Now, I know the oil level is good bc i checked it. So since it only does it at around 600 to 700 rpms after some driving and after everything is good and hot, I thought maybe it was just thin oil. So I went from 5w30 to 10w30. Well, still the same thing. So then i thought maybe it was the pressure sensor, and for 6 bucks i figured it was worth the shot. Well, still the same thing. So i finally accepted the reality and condemed the oil pump. So today after 6 hours of working on her, i replaced the oil pump, screen and shaft. It started great, sounded even better, no chattering, nothing. I figured it was fixed and no more worries. Well, much to my avail, and my sadness, after driving around for abt 30 min tonight, the light came on. But not the same way. Now it comes on, and flickers, or it will stay lit. But the min i tap (and i mean tap the accelerator and bring up the RPM up maybe 10 RPM's at most) the accelerator, it goes off, but when it levels out, it comes back on. Now i dont know what else to think of. She runs good, and i just want it to make it through the winter for my gf. But now im out of ideas. Now, im thinking maybe going thicker oil. Maybe 10w40? im not sure. any ideas would be great!!! Thanks guys. Oh i just got the car for her and it says 125,000 miles on the odometer, but im thinking the car has had a different motor in it bc on the valve cover it says 97 cavalier. But again im not sure. I only bought the car for 250.00 so i rly dont care abt it that much, but this is the first car anyone has ever bought my gf (including parents and ex's) so she rly loves it bc its hers. So any help would be great!
Need to get an oil pressure gauge and get readings
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Rob wrote:Need to get an oil pressure gauge and get readings
X2
You need to find out IF you really are low on pressure or if you've got ground problems, wire problems, sender problems or worst of all, a worn out engine.
When you dropped the oil pan to put in the oil pump, what did you find in the bottom of the pan? Was it clean or did it look like you struck Gold with lots of shiny flecks floating around and stuck to the bottom of the pan?
Sure, you can run thicker oil but that is only a short term bandaid for a real problem IF you have low oil pressure.
Dave
Just a thought, is the oil PRESSURE light coming on or is the oil LEVEL light coming on? Big difference in cause and remedy. The oil level light says "CHECK OIL". For it to come on at random moments is normal for it is just a level sensor in the oil pan. If the car is tilted or a hard stop was just made it will flash on and at times stay on for a period of time, it isn't real sensitive.
Don't know what engine you have so some answers are tough to give!
i agree with david, if it sais check oil its most likely youre oil level sensor, my car did the same thing and i put a 30 dollar oil level sensor on it and it hasnt came on since
Sorry guys, it was the pressure light, im not aware of any of the 2.2's have a oil level light in the 95-97's. i could be wrong, but I know this car does not have a oil level sensor in the pan. It was the pressure light. But after taking it to my buddies house, cleaning the throttle body, and sending a ton of carb cleaner through the motor, and it smoking for almost 20 min it seems as if there was any sludge in the motor, and causing the pressure to stay low when warm, and at idle, it got cleaned out. We ran the car for more then 2 hours, and even ran the car in drive and with the E brake on for abt 45 min, and nothing. So if there was anything it got cleaned out. Ill keep u posted as to what happens, but at this moment in time it seems to be ok. Ill have to see what happens if i take the car again for a long drive. Thanks guys for all the input, it was helpful!
Ok, I had this happen to my 2.2, sitting at a stop light, the oil light would pop on, turns out, my rod bearings were shot.. ahaha good luck bro.
- Your not-so-local, untrained, uncertified, backyard mechanic. But my @!#$ runs
i had similar problem with it going on and off while driving or it'd come on, then off real quick when acclerating. i changed the oil pressure sending unit, (like 20 bucks) and saw it a few times after that, but after a little while, never saw it again.
