oil pressure light flickers

[solito_yo]

my oil pressure light flickers when I engage the clutch and my rpm drops lower than 800 and when i sit and idle the light turns flickers on and off or just barely lights up. i'm thinking oil pump

[oyajicool]

A lot of people think about failing oil pump when they see oil light flickers. I say not so quick.
Engine being able to hold oil pressure, it needs healthy clearances on bearings, healthy oil pump and good oil.
Faulty/inaccurate oil pressure warning switch would cause the light to flicker.
Leaky oil pressure warning switch would cause it to flicker.
Unless you want to change your oil pump straight away, you would need to find out why the light is flickering in the first place.

Or, you can do what I do to my car. Pour in a can of STP to thicken oil and drive on. My engine would have to come out soon any ways and I'm being lazy.

[reklipz]

I would check to make sure the connection is solid, and perhaps trying a new oil pressure switch. They're cheap and easy to install. A better idea would be to install a real oil pressure gauge; there's a reason most new vehicles come with one.

[deevergote]

Have you checked your oil level?

The light coming on when you shift makes me think it's the oil pressure sending unit (the pressure warning switch). This is located near your oil filter, and can sometimes get damaged wires. Shifting causes the engine to move, especially if you have worn mounts, and would jiggle those wires to the point where they would cause the light to come on if they're not in good shape.
My own was spliced in place by a crappy shop, and I pulled the splice apart while changing my oil one day.

At idle, though... that makes me think it might be more than the wiring. It may be the pump, it may be low oil levels, or it may just be a faulty switch.


I'd follow the advice given by the guys above (I really just elaborated on what they already said.) A good pressure gauge will tell you if you actually have low pressure or not... unlike the stupid idiot light that basically says "hey buddy, your engine just blew up!"

[10thAnnivCB7]

Change the oil and the filter. I recently had this problem and that solved it. You might also be low like i was but why not just change it.

[Accrdwgnguy]

Hook up an oil pressure gauge to check the actual pressure, before you tear apart your engine replacing things that may be good.

[solito_yo]

Just changed my oil a month ago, wiring is soldered to oe female connector. It doesn't do when i shift only when i sit at a light. Or sitting parked idling. Also when im coasting with clutch in it will blink. Oil pressure switch is new bought it in Oct. from autozone

[ProSouth]

why is it dropping below 800??? it needs correct rpms to supply correct oil pressure. i think you need to find out why it drops down that low.

[reklipz]

why is it dropping below 800??? it needs correct rpms to supply correct oil pressure. i think you need to find out why it drops down that low.

Stock idle for an auto is 750, and stock for a manual is 770. It's normal to idle below 800.

OP: Sounds like your wiring is good. Switches can be faulty/DOA, or fail quickly. I had one from AutoZone fail within two weeks. But, assuming it's working properly, check your oil level, and hook up a real gauge to determine whether or not it's safe to continue driving without fixing the issue. It sounds like you may have a real problem.

[oyajicool]

Oil pressure switch is new bought it in Oct. from autozone

Was it flickering prior to changing the switch? Is this the reason for replacement?

IIRC, someone of this forum was finding out that AZ oil pressure is some how set at higher pressure than OE switch. You may want to find out what pressure your switch is triggering at.

[ProSouth]

holy hell, mine never sees those numbers. 900 minimum.

[dmar155]

can a low/high oil pressure prevent the car from running? like if you turn on the car, the rpms rise to about 1000 then down to 0.

[Accrdwgnguy]

Get an OEM oil pressure switch. I've heard of a few issues with the AZ pressure switch.

[solito_yo]

the reason for replacing the switch is that the old one used a screw to hold the connector in place , well the screw broke off inside. mine idle sits at bout 1000 and drops down to almost 500 sometimes, and when i push on my brakes the idle rises and drops down. so i have no clue. and light just started flickering bout 2 days ago.

[jakeprater]

start with the oil pressure switch