2000SEBlack

I recently did an oil change on my 2000 Maxima and I noticed that during idling, the oil pressure light flickers intermittently. It goes away as soon as I accelerate or put the engine under any load.

I'm not sure if it was there before the oil change or not but either way, I'm just wondering if it is something to worry about.

Thanks,

viperboy

iTrader: (7)

Mine does it too sometimes, but that's when it's time for an oil change, atleast for my car. The last time it flickered, changed the oil. and it was like black. It wasn't thick anymore like oil should be.

When was the last time you did an oil change?

Feldman

iTrader: (1)

usually either means low oil or wrong viscosity. when is the last time you checked your oil?

a33_ridah

iTrader: (10)

try topping off some more oil. usually means low oil pressure. usually.

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

Mine will sometimes flicker on a restart for a second or two after my car has sat for 20-40 minutes, but not if it is restarted before 20 minutes or after 40-45. Never has come on when I am just idling.

If your oil level is full and reasonably new and it is doing that, you could have a problem with the oil pressure sending unit, a slightly worn oil pump or your bearing clearances are increasing. Try using a 10w-40 (slightly higher viscosity than normally used) and see if that helps. If it does, odds are something is wearing out internally and bleeding down pressure at idle.

2 GO B4

^^^^^ My max does the exact same thing as Scott's.....will flicker for a second or so after the warm starts.....but will not when starting the car overnight....or during idle

Oh....and I also notice it does the above a bit more just after I have changed the engine oil...usually the first 500 miles or so on new oil....

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

Mine has been doing it (warm start flicker) since I bought it and 61,000 miles later, it hasn't worsened.

Oil light coming on intermittently at idle would concern me though.

2000SEBlack

Maybe it would help if we defined when the light comes on:

Does the light come on then pressure is too HIGH or too LOW?

How is the oil pump powered? When I rev my RPMs, the light goes off. Does this mean the pump is marginal?

I did an oil change last week with Mobil 1 10W-30 Extended Mileage Synthetic Oil.

Unklejoe

iTrader: (6)

Light comes on when pressure is too low.

The pump is mechanically driven by the motor. When you rev, the pump spins faster and the pressure goes up causing the light to go out.

MadMax07SL

While considering everything already mentioned...thinking about your oil choice might be prudent. What oil did you use in the car prior to this oil change? Recommended is 5w 30 If I'm not mistaken. The first number is the cold viscosity rating (0F), second is the operating temperature rating (210F). Therefore switching from 5 to 10 is only affecting cold starts. Once the oil warms up, All that matters is the second rating, which you've maintained by sticking with a 30. If you wanted higher viscosity considering yours is a high mileage cars with possible wear and clearance issues, you need to use something like a 5-40 or 10-40 to achieve a thicker film at operating temperature.


http://www.autoeducation.com/autoshop101/oil-change.htm