when i start my car, especially on cold days, it does something weird which i can't explain. when i first crank it up, it sounds like it will have a nice, strong start, then suddenly the RPM's drop down quickly as if it's going to stall out but the car catches itself at the last minute and stays at a nice, steady idle. at the same time, however, when its first starting up, i hear a weird grinding noise that sounds like its coming from the engine for about 2 seconds and the red oil light on my dash flickers for a moment then goes off. once my car is idling though, its fine. i only have these weird problems when it's first starting up. could it be the oil pump maybe? i really don't know. any help would be much appreciated. thanks guys

 

check your oil level, look at the oil pressure sensor, see if its wet, if so probably needs replacing. Sensor is rather innexpensive and the sensor remover tools is in expensive also.

 

would a low oil level do that?

 

well check your oil level just to make sure its suffient. A bad oil pump wouldnt cause low oil, it just wouldnt supply it properly. It doesnt hurt to make sure your not low on oil and rule that out as a source.

 

Like everyone else has said, check the oil level - mine is always topped off and it will still ocassionaly flicker the oil light at startup.

As for the sound you describe, it could be the timing chain tensioner - not uncommon on 95-96's. I wouldn't worry about it unless it gets worse.