Ok, so my oil light has come on on my max. I know that they engine is getting oil (otherwise it would have seized, right?), so aside from the oil pump, what would cause the oil light to come on? A sensor, switch, or something else? Please help, I am kinda baffled by this one.

 

i had this problem a few month ago on my 01, that's because i wanted to be cheap and put in cheap oil filter after oil change,after 50 miles later oil light came on while driving and came off at 20MPH,check the dip stick engine was dry oil free.jack the car up was oil everywhere worst brand oil filter then decide to go with k&N filter and redo oil everything was good light came off.

make sure to check and see if engine has enough oil,if its low oil light will flash or stay on and also a bad oil pump can cause oil light but most important check and make sure engine has oil if it low make sure to add oil and see if that help.

 

Pretty sure that is not the problem either. I always use good FRAM filters, and Pennzoil Synthetic in my car. Also, I check the oil level every weekend (I travel quite a bit) so no low oil level. Other ideas?

 

Mine only came on once, and that was for the low level oil, so good luck on that...

 

You check your oil on a cold engine? How long have you owned the car? Miles? Does it burn oil? You know there is no such thibg as good Fram filters, right? Nissan filters are cheaper and better. Any signs of leaks? Ever change your rear valve cover? Ever change spark plugs and notice oil in cylinder 5?

 

I have owned the car since new (12-01). Used full synthetic since about 15k. There are about 100k on the current engine (6th gen). Both valve covers have been off, and new gaskets applied. Changed the plugs about 2 months ago, and no oil in any of the cylinders. I know that there is no oil leak, and oil is circulating. What else could it be???

 

Ooo I did not know it was a 6th gen engine. Was that recent? I would assume that adds more options to figure out the problem and, honestly, may he beyond my knowledge as I have never even seen a 6th gen engine in a 5th gen.

 

Not really. Once you get the engine cover off, the two are nearly mechanically identical. I can't think of any part between the two that aren't interchangable.

 

oil pressure sending unit maybe?

 

It's possible the oil pressure switch is faulty. If you can get your hands on an oil pressure gauge, locate the oil pressure switch, remove it and screw the gauge into the hole. Start the engine and see what the pressure reads.

If the pressure reads fine, the switch is at fault. Refer to a service manual for readings. Specs on my 4.0 with warm oil at idle, pressure should be 14 psi or higher and 43 or higher warm oil at 2000rpm. If the pressure is low, you have another problem.

 

Do the oil pressure switches go bad all at once? Or are there warning signs? Thanks!

 

mine went all at once on my Grand Am...and I've heard they can leak and give a bit of warning but not always...

 

Yup, They're either going to cause the dash light to illuminate and/or leak.

 

when mine went bye bye it spewed oil all over...really bad...and the light popped immediately, since the light goes off pressure, obviously

 

Can anybody think of anything else besides the oil pressure sending switch? I am trying to make a list of things to check out this weekend. TIA!