Low oil pressure on idle

[e36grant]

When my car is idling my low oil pressure light flashes periodically, and has been getting worse day by day.

It's to the point where the second my rpms drop to idle it comes on for a good few seconds, and does this multiple times, including flashing.

Is this probably a sensor or is it something serious like my oil pump.


There is oil in the engine.

[m2pc]

Mine did this for a long time -- drove me nuts! I even switched to a heavier weight oil thinking I had issues with my engine internals.

I replaced the oil pressure sensor (switch) -- it's on the back of the oil filter housing.

Problem solved (for me at least)!

[Kraut.Burner]

could very well be a sign of a failing oil pump.

[m2pc]

could very well be a sign of a failing oil pump.

True, but replacing the switch is cheaper and easier to start with. Many times it's just the switch that's bad (they get gummed up with oil sludge and stop sensing the correct pressure).

[rtd328]

True, but replacing the switch is cheaper and easier to start with. Many times it's just the switch that's bad (they get gummed up with oil sludge and stop sensing the correct pressure).

I agree with this.... Could very well be the beginnings of an oil pump failure, but try replacing the sensor first, and go from there.

[blackbimma]

I don't remember what page, but in the owners manual it says it's normal as long as the light goes off as soon as you rev the engine.