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Re: Oil Light Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Wed, 3 Jan 2001 17:19:26 In Reply to: Oil Light, Rob [Profile/Gallery] , Tue, 2 Jan 2001 16:32:18 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
That oil light is Low Oil Pressure. You can have a sump full of oil, but if the oil pump isn't providing pressure, not only will you get a light, but you'll toast the engine very quickly.
There are four reasonable causes. The first is the oil pressure switch is failing. I've had them fail before, and they fail to indicate no oil pressure.
The second is that the wire from the oil pressure sender (located right by the oil filter) is frayed, and is making contact with the chassis. This would cause the light to come on, as all the oil pressure switch does is connect that wire to ground below a certain oil pressure.
Third, you're oil pump or oil bypass valve is going bad, and
Fourth, there is a problem with the oil pickup in the oil sump.
Because the problem only occurs in left-hand turns, I'd go with 2 or 4. If there is a wire hitting the chassis ground, perhaps it only makes contact with the force of a turn. This is by far the cheapest repair.
In #4, when you go around turns, the oil pickup catches only air, and you starve the pump of oil. This rates as VERY BAD on the screwed-o-meter.
If I were in your place, I would inspect the wire from the oil pressure sender immediately. If you find an obvious problem that fixes the light (other than just disconnecting the wire!), great. But if not, I would get the car to a mechanic IMMEDIATELY. Have the oil pressure checked. If necessary, a mechanic can temporarily install an oil pressure gauge and take the car for a test drive to see if lefts do indeed drop the oil pressure.
Here is the warning - the low oil pressure switch lights the indication at about 7-9 psi of oil This is fine for idle, but under load the engine requires 25-35 psi. If you drive the car with low oil pressure, you will burn up the engine very quickly. Very quickly is not days, it's a minute or two. An engine at highway speed for a minute with no oil pressure is a boat anchor. So don't drive around with the oil pressure light on EVER. As Rick D says, always assume the light is telling the truth. The alternative is to buy a new engine, and they ain't cheap!
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