Well you all know my car has been overheating recently and the radiator was checked and flushed and is fine, and the oil was changed last thursday.

Now upon start the Check Oil Pressure Lights blinks about 4-6 times or somewhere around there.. It hasn't come on while driving, but just when I started up today. I hadn't noticed it before today, and I don't think it happened before today..

Could the Oil Light blinking and the overheating at idle be related?? I think the overheating is a thermostat or sensor issue, but now this oil light deal... please help.

jason sadler

 

Not much help, but:

http://forums.maxima.org/search.php?...der=descending


Questions:

What oil are you using?

What filter are you using?

What oil/filter combo did you use on the prior interval?

 

mine does it too.. i "think" it means your oil pressure sensor is going bad or something..

 

 

OPS is possible as well.

Solution IF that's the case:

Oil Pressure Switch how to posts:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....tch#post271399

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....tch#post265888

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....tch#post226142

Torque Spec for the switch:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....tch#post262938

 

This is a common problem in 3rd and 4th generation Maximas, the Oil Pressure Switch (a.k.a. Oil Pressure Sending Unit) can allow some oil to leak out and onto the bottom of your oil pan and the surrounding areas. Yet very little, if any, oil consumption could be noticed.

Special thanks to member Daniel B. Martin for this quick how-to right up and part information

Part Information:

PartsAmerica.Com lists a replacement Oil pressure switch, AC Delco #E1818 for $8 + shipping. You can probably buy this item at any auto parts chain store for about that amount.

In addition, here are other part numbers which are available through carparts.com (for all 89 to 99 Maximas):

AC DELCO #E1818 $7.16
BECK/ARNLEY #201-1350 $6.13
BORG WARNER #S4018 $8.05

Additional tip:

I would not recommend Nissan's OEM part, unless the dealer is replacing it for free as it has a real poor track record for early failure. All 3 Maximas I have worked on have needed one, 2 of them at a real early mileage (less than 20k).

How do you replace the OPS?

Replacing the OPS is a job which can be done by the home mechanic. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it on sturdy jackstands. Slide under. The OPS is easy to see and reach. It is "just around the corner" from the oil filter, in the rear face of the block. Peel back the protective rubber boot. Press and wiggle to disconnect the electrical connector from the OPS. You may use a special sending unit socket such as Blackhawk #30634S or ordinary 12-point 1-inch deep socket such as Craftsman #47531 to unscrew the OPS. A few ounces of engine oil will dribble out, not much of a problem. You can do the whole job in half an hour, including cleanup time.

The torque spec for the Oil pressure switch is 9-13 foot-pounds. I would not bother with a torque wrench, just snug it up. My FSM does not call for sealant. I'm looking at the '99 Maxima FSM, page EM-13

 

bill99gxe = Sprint = echo

 

 

the car is going to nissan tomorrow.. i know the guys well there so i can tell them these prices and good stuff and hopefully they will adhere to these suggestions.

I just don't know if these two things are related, or if they could have damaged in when changing the oil last week..

 

It's possible that the oil pressure sending unit was damaged when changing the oil filter....unlikely, but possible.

It's something you can easily verify yourself, especially considering the problems Nissan has with their OEM oil pressure switches.....


The radiator issue is a red herring. The oil light has zero to do with your issues with the radiator/overheating.

 

Good luck at the dealer. Your car is a 4th gen so I don't see how it could be, but your car is behaving like one of my 4 cyl Volvos that I had. The head gasket was blown, and I got overheating at idle, lack of power, and even the oil pressure lamp came on, but not due to any lubrication problem but rather the motor sometimes strubgled to stay running. Actually the oil eventually became white and foamy due to antifreeze getting in the crankcase. Again, I can't see a 4th gen having a head gasket(s) problem, just that your symptoms resemble when mine blew 10 years ago.

 

silly bill, a radiator is not a fish

thanks for all the help though.. I will definitely raise a stink about it being their fault and see what can be done, I wonder if I should just stop at napa auto and pick up a sensor instead of another nissan one, we'll see..

i am not one to climb under the car, i like to do stuff outside or inside, engine work scares me...

-waldo