Anyone have their oil light flicker quickly when they start up?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,097
From: Toronto, Canada
Anyone have their oil light flicker quickly when they start up?
For some reason my car does this sometimes. Today I put in a Nissan oil filter instead as I heard some people have this prob from using aftermarket filters. Still no luck. Any ideas?
Mine has done it before but its not all the time, I think when i first change the oil and when its cold out it usually happens but like all have said its really a short period like 1 second so i am not worried about it. - i have other things to worry about with this car!
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30
From: Peoria, AZ
The oil light is the pressure sensor in your engine, it your engine oil pressure ( PSI ) fall below the pre-set minimum....( Which I'm not sure of? ) it will light up. When you start your car, hm let's say, in the morning, when you crank your engine, the pressure builds so It can move the oil around the engine. That's why the light flickers when you start it up....BUT if it starts flickering or stays on when you are driving, you better get off the road and stop your car. w/o any pressure, the oil can't go into the higher places of your engine, i.e., the intake valves, and other critical areas. Your engine is going to have a slow painful death.
So it's not really a thing to worry about. Mine does it as well, since I've gotten it. now with 42K miles on it, still does it in the mornings....light goes right off when she starts up.
Of course, you an always take it to the dealer and charge you an arm and leg and tell you that everything is ok. even though your car could be falling apart.....
So it's not really a thing to worry about. Mine does it as well, since I've gotten it. now with 42K miles on it, still does it in the mornings....light goes right off when she starts up.
Of course, you an always take it to the dealer and charge you an arm and leg and tell you that everything is ok. even though your car could be falling apart.....
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,835
Originally Posted by chillywilly7g
The oil light is the pressure sensor in your engine, it your engine oil pressure ( PSI ) fall below the pre-set minimum....( Which I'm not sure of? ) it will light up. When you start your car, hm let's say, in the morning, when you crank your engine, the pressure builds so It can move the oil around the engine. That's why the light flickers when you start it up....BUT if it starts flickering or stays on when you are driving, you better get off the road and stop your car. w/o any pressure, the oil can't go into the higher places of your engine, i.e., the intake valves, and other critical areas. Your engine is going to have a slow painful death.
So it's not really a thing to worry about. Mine does it as well, since I've gotten it. now with 42K miles on it, still does it in the mornings....light goes right off when she starts up.
Of course, you an always take it to the dealer and charge you an arm and leg and tell you that everything is ok. even though your car could be falling apart.....
So it's not really a thing to worry about. Mine does it as well, since I've gotten it. now with 42K miles on it, still does it in the mornings....light goes right off when she starts up.
Of course, you an always take it to the dealer and charge you an arm and leg and tell you that everything is ok. even though your car could be falling apart.....
Mine does that...it stays on even longer when I'm a 1/4qt low and barely flickers when I'm a tad overfilled.
It's my ghetto oil check in the mornings, I always watch to see if I need to add a bit.
It's my ghetto oil check in the mornings, I always watch to see if I need to add a bit.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30
From: Peoria, AZ
LOL
nice one jaws, scare the poor guy out of his wits....
well to clarify charlie, the light flickers when I start up. once the engine runs on it's own, it turns right off. it's pretty normal. I used to have a 99 Altima w/ 89K miles and I had since 40K, always had the same flicker when I started the car up. See UNLESS it starts flickering while driving, now you have yourself a problem......but if not....don't sweat it, but if Jaws says your doomed....well, can't say much there.....
nice one jaws, scare the poor guy out of his wits....
well to clarify charlie, the light flickers when I start up. once the engine runs on it's own, it turns right off. it's pretty normal. I used to have a 99 Altima w/ 89K miles and I had since 40K, always had the same flicker when I started the car up. See UNLESS it starts flickering while driving, now you have yourself a problem......but if not....don't sweat it, but if Jaws says your doomed....well, can't say much there.....
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,835
Originally Posted by chillywilly7g
LOL
nice one jaws, scare the poor guy out of his wits....
well to clarify charlie, the light flickers when I start up. once the engine runs on it's own, it turns right off. it's pretty normal. I used to have a 99 Altima w/ 89K miles and I had since 40K, always had the same flicker when I started the car up. See UNLESS it starts flickering while driving, now you have yourself a problem......but if not....don't sweat it, but if Jaws says your doomed....well, can't say much there.....
nice one jaws, scare the poor guy out of his wits....
well to clarify charlie, the light flickers when I start up. once the engine runs on it's own, it turns right off. it's pretty normal. I used to have a 99 Altima w/ 89K miles and I had since 40K, always had the same flicker when I started the car up. See UNLESS it starts flickering while driving, now you have yourself a problem......but if not....don't sweat it, but if Jaws says your doomed....well, can't say much there.....
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,097
From: Toronto, Canada
Ok so far yesterday and today no flicker. This is the longest period I went without a flicker. On monday I switched my oil filter to a OEM Nissan one. My mech at the dealer said its usually the aftermarket filters. And it seems like that maybe true so far.
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 787
Originally Posted by Zero Deuce SE
I'm wondering what oil and filters other people that have the flickering use.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 274
This also happens to me on every other oil change. As mentioned by others, I also think that it's a lack oil pressure that's causing the light to flicker. I noticed that the flickering tends to disappear when more oil is added.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,835
Originally Posted by Jaws
That's a very good question. I've been using the cheap OEM 15208-65F00 (had 10 of them to use up), but I'm on my last one, and have already bought the 15208-9E000. My car has 75k km on it, and it has only been doing it the last 15k km. I wonder if it will make a difference.
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 30
From: Peoria, AZ
yeah, I get that too when I change the oil, i've kept the filter oem and it's not a problem, I use Valvoline sinthetic. 5W-30. Haven't tried to use aftermarket yet, just out of couriousity I'll try it when I have to change my oil. I'll See, if any difference.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,097
From: Toronto, Canada
I lied still got the problem. But my mechanic changed it only because he had a 02 Max come in complaining and the pressure was really low. And it was the filter that corrected the problem. As for mine I still get roughly a few seconds only. He said my pressure is fine and I should not worry. He knows about this site. He said you guys should have your pressure checked to be safe.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,835
Originally Posted by TDotMax
I lied still got the problem. But my mechanic changed it only because he had a 02 Max come in complaining and the pressure was really low. And it was the filter that corrected the problem. As for mine I still get roughly a few seconds only. He said my pressure is fine and I should not worry. He knows about this site. He said you guys should have your pressure checked to be safe.
Originally Posted by PRO - 1
hmm I put HIDS in my car and the passenger headlight always flicker when I start up.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,835
Originally Posted by GBAUER
I might be a little off-base here, but I don't think that has anything to do with your oil level. Check your windshield lugs. Also, if your Type R sticker is crooked, it might cause that as well.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 213
Mine will flicker too sometimes, only 1-2 seconds after startup. It usually happens when I run into the store for a few minutes and come back. Figure it's because the oil hasnt drained to the pan yet. Also, it seems to do it more when I'm needing an oil change -- probably about 1/2 quart low or something.
