Oil Flashing on startup
07-11-2010, 06:10 AM
#1
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Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Oil Flashing on startup
I have a 00 Max, and seem to have an issue where my oil light flashes on startup, but only on startup for maybe a sec. I just had oil changed, and have no leaks. It has been doing this for quite awhile now.
07-11-2010, 09:42 AM
#5
My car's been doing this since I bought it. Never had any issues with the oil. That's 70k miles. 
The oil light just sort of flashes really quick a few times at start up. Pressure's fine otherwise when the car's running.
The oil light just sort of flashes really quick a few times at start up. Pressure's fine otherwise when the car's running.
07-11-2010, 01:15 PM
#7
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If it's only a "flicker" on engine starting and as long as the LOP light doesn't come on or flicker when the engine is running you should be fine. It only takes oil pressure of 1-3 psi (per the FSM) to put the light out, so if it ever comes on or flickers when the engine is running you've essentially got zero oil pressure and the engine does not have long to live.
07-11-2010, 03:35 PM
#8
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Oil level is perfect, filter is brand new... No it does not come on during driving. Just has a short flicker on the startup. Otherwise the car runs perfect 
Really dunno what causes this
Also my car has 138k
Really dunno what causes thisAlso my car has 138k
07-11-2010, 04:07 PM
#11
My car 'had' this issue. It also knocked during startup (like a machine gun) for just as long as the oil light would flash, like a second - sec.5. I thought it was normal but yesterday found out its not. My car started knocking same way at idle, then few days later at high RPM, and died completely yesterday(rod bearing i believe), hence the 'had' in my first sentence. The issue seems to come from someone running the car with no oil, and since these cars need a quart or two between oil changes, its possible that the older gentleman that owned the car prior didn't know that. I hope that you are not having the same problem.
07-11-2010, 04:09 PM
#12
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My car 'had' this issue. It also knocked during startup (like a machine gun) for just as long as the oil light would flash, like a second - sec.5. I thought it was normal but yesterday found out its not. My car started knocking same way at idle, then few days later at high RPM, and died completely yesterday(rod bearing i believe), hence the 'had' in my first sentence. The issue seems to come from someone running the car with no oil, and since these cars need a quart or two between oil changes, its possible that the older gentleman that owned the car prior didn't know that. I hope that you are not having the same problem.
07-11-2010, 04:35 PM
#13
I understand the filter is brand new. I stand by my original diagnosis.
07-11-2010, 04:50 PM
#14
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Location: Vancouver, BC
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Even in Phoenix in the summer 5W30 is OK. If you've been using 5W30 year round, the higher summer temps may be why you've just noticed the LOP light flicker. Over the years and with many different cars, I've only ever noticed the LOP light flicker when starting engines that were fully warmed up. Don't read too much into this. Particularly as you've stated that the car runs perfectly and has been well maintained.
07-11-2010, 04:56 PM
#15
My car 'had' this issue. It also knocked during startup (like a machine gun) for just as long as the oil light would flash, like a second - sec.5. I thought it was normal but yesterday found out its not. My car started knocking same way at idle, then few days later at high RPM, and died completely yesterday(rod bearing i believe), hence the 'had' in my first sentence. The issue seems to come from someone running the car with no oil, and since these cars need a quart or two between oil changes, its possible that the older gentleman that owned the car prior didn't know that. I hope that you are not having the same problem.
07-11-2010, 08:54 PM
#18
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07-12-2010, 10:08 PM
#22
Same here, now have something like 179,440 miles on my car. Just seems to take a second or so for oil pressure to build back up after the car sits for 20-60 minutes. Otherwise it doesn't flicker on start up.
07-14-2010, 11:23 PM
#24
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According to a good friend of mine over at Pinnacle Nissan this is indeed normal. He said basically when the car sits it loses oil pressure, of course. The light just flickers because it has to regain pressure. Now he did say if the light comes on or flickers during driving, then of course you have a pressure problem.
07-15-2010, 04:01 AM
#25
The oil drains back through the faulty anti drain back valve in the oil filter, and takes a second or two to refill the oil gallery. See post #4.
07-15-2010, 08:50 AM
#26
07-16-2010, 10:19 PM
#27
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