Oil pressure light acting funny

[LastSVXintheChi]

Ok so heres the dealio....i have a 92 LS with 135000 miles and I have been noticing that when the car is hot and I am sitting in park, ussually, the oil pressure light flickers on and off when the idle drops down to around 750-500 but when I step on the gas a little bit it goes away...it doesnt do it when its cold or when im sitting at a light....

What could be wrong? I thought it might be an electrical fluke cus my abs light comes on randomly but goes off when I turn the car off and back on...but I can make it go away when I give it gas....

Thanks in advance

[Green1995SVX]

Not to insult you, but have you checked the oil recently?

[LastSVXintheChi]

Not to insult you, but have you checked the oil recently?

Yes I have checked the oil lol it was only slightly low nothing major

[1986nate]

Chances are, some things are getting tired. The SVX runs at crazy low oil pressures at idle. Can't remember how many psi, but it's around 10, possibly 8 even if my memory serves correct. It going off just off idle makes sense as the oil pump then turns faster and pumps more oil.

(I've had oil 3 quarts low in my silver and never had the light come on or an issue)
And before you get on me about checking my oil, my silver has piston slap(that way when I bought it after I fixed the exhaust leak :( ), I'm waiting for the engine to blow up, It has a clogged PCV and pisses oil out of every seal, I add oil when I need to and haven't changed the filter closing in on 3 years now. It still runs, and lives, has just as much power as any of my others and I still beat the piss out of it :D

[LastSVXintheChi]

That sound like code for you need a new oil pump :confused: lol

[dcarrb]

I'd replace the oil pressure sending unit.

dcb

[Huskymaniac]

I'd replace the oil pressure sending unit.

dcb

I would listen to this guy.

And then I might start using better oil and changing it more often. But only if the old sender comes out looking like it is covered in gunk. Actually, if that is the case, you might want to go through the Auto-RX treatment cycle before doing a changeover to new oil and filter.

[LastSVXintheChi]

I would listen to this guy.

And then I might start using better oil and changing it more often. But only if the old sender comes out looking like it is covered in gunk. Actually, if that is the case, you might want to go through the Auto-RX treatment cycle before doing a changeover to new oil and filter.

i do use good oil when i do my own oil changes...i use Mobil or Valvoline mostly Valvoline and i use the expensive fram filter the "heavy Duty" one...but the last couple times i have just gone to Firestone and had the oil changed...they use Kendall...

how much is it to replace the sending unit?

[LastSVXintheChi]

oh and would this possibly be called an oil pressure valve???

[LastSVXintheChi]

New symptom!!!

It now does it whilebsitting in traffic I added oil today too but I noticed that the rpms are at like 600 or so when the light comes on...but when the car is moving and the idle is in the same spot it DOESNT do it :confused: whats does this mean??

[oab_au]

Jared I would just replace the oil pressure switch. It is cheap and easy to do. It is located on the top front of the engine beside the alternator. See if that fixes it.

Harvey.

[LastSVXintheChi]

Jared I would just replace the oil pressure switch. It is cheap and easy to do. It is located on the top front of the engine beside the alternator. See if that fixes it.

Harvey.

Im pretty sure that I had that replaced already because I had so real loud belts before and my mechanic said the oil "pressure switch" was leaking on them and he replaced it thats why I asked if it might be called that too...if it is then it has already been changed

[Huskymaniac]

Im pretty sure that I had that replaced already because I had so real loud belts before and my mechanic said the oil "pressure switch" was leaking on them and he replaced it thats why I asked if it might be called that too...if it is then it has already been changed

BIG question here. Did he replace it with a GENUINE subaru replacement part from a dealer or did he get an aftermarket part? My aftermarket temp sender for the coolant gauge, for example, was way off and I had to get a genuine Subaru part.

[msvx95]

+1 get the genuine OEM part through your subaru dealer. I believe it uses the same one as a Legacy and they should have them in stock for 20 bucks or cheaper.
The aftermarket ones are known to still throw codes.

[LastSVXintheChi]

+1 get the genuine OEM part through your subaru dealer. I believe it uses the same one as a Legacy and they should have them in stock for 20 bucks or cheaper.
The aftermarket ones are known to still throw codes.

Oh **** idk...i had it done at firestne and they dont ussually use new parts they go the cheap route so mostly remain parts and it was only like 80 bucks to have it done...so probabky not

[Green1995SVX]

Oh **** idk...i had it done at firestne and they dont ussually use new parts they go the cheap route so mostly remain parts and it was only like 80 bucks to have it done...so probabky not

Did these symptoms start shortly after they replaced the switch?

[LastSVXintheChi]

Did these symptoms start shortly after they replaced the switch?

Not that I noticed...i didnt notice it until a couple months ago

[TomsSVX]

I would remove the oil pump and replace it... i have seen backing plate screws back out and result in spun bearings. Also seen pressure relief valves hang up causing low oil pressure... this is all hinged on the fact that pressure is actually low. Get a suby dealer to hook up a manual gauge to confirm

Tom

[LastSVXintheChi]

I would remove the oil pump and replace it... i have seen backing plate screws back out and result in spun bearings. Also seen pressure relief valves hang up causing low oil pressure... this is all hinged on the fact that pressure is actually low. Get a suby dealer to hook up a manual gauge to confirm

Tom

tom

do you know about how much that it? i google it but i couldnt find anything on subaru...there was one for a 3000gt they were saying about $700 :eek: :confused:

thanks

[TomsSVX]

I forget but it is labor intensive due to location. Have the oil pressure checked first to make sure it is actually low.

[LastSVXintheChi]

I forget but it is labor intensive due to location. Have the oil pressure checked first to make sure it is actually low.

ok...thanks Tom!

[LastSVXintheChi]

I havent had a chance to have the oil pressure checked but the light hasnt come on in the 3 days and i havent changed anything....im starting to think its some kind of electrical glitch.....

[TomsSVX]

If u want to wager ur engine on it....

Tom

[Tapani]

If the oile gets diluted with fuel (for one reason or another) the viscosity will be low and this could be the result.... Happened to me on a Range Rover once...... it was a carbed engine and the reason was just moving the car on a lot with the choke on and a VERY rich idle.

Just a thought, but would be evident if you check the actual pressure with a simple mechanical gauge.

Tapani

[svxfiles]

Nate, (to a degree)
dcb,
Tony,
Harvey,
Matt,
YT,
And Mike are ALL correct in their statements.
Subaru does have low pressure at idle,
the oil pumps need to be removed and the screws retightened every now and then,
USE ONLY SUBARU PRESSURE SENSORS!

[svxfiles]

Tapani also brings up a good point, but if your oil gets that contaminated the engine usually seizes about the time the light comes on.:(

[LastSVXintheChi]

Tom: if the oil pressure was off would I feel more pressure on the engine when the light goes on or even if it didnt go on?

Also anyone, I have a pretty bad oil leak that seems to be at the front passanger side of the engine...is this where theoil pressure sensor or switch or whatever it is called is?

[svxfiles]

Tom:
if the oil pressure was off
would I feel more pressure on the engine
when the light goes on
or even if it didnt go on?



I am not sure that I understand your question.
please explain/expand.

[LastSVXintheChi]

I am not sure that I understand your question.
please explain/expand.

if the oil pressure was low wouldn't i hear a knock from the engine or wouldn't i feel more strain on the engine?

[/QUOTE]Also anyone, I have a pretty bad oil leak that seems to be at the front passanger side of the engine...is this where the oil pressure sensor or switch or whatever it is called is? [/QUOTE]

i asked this cus i dont know if this would have any effect...:(

[svxfiles]

if the oil pressure was low wouldn't i hear a knock from the engine or wouldn't i feel more strain on the engine?

Also anyone, I have a pretty bad oil leak that seems to be at the front passanger side of the engine...is this where the oil pressure sensor or switch or whatever it is called is? [/QUOTE]

i asked this cus i dont know if this would have any effect...:([/QUOTE]

You would not hear the knock from the engine untill the bearings were worn out.
There would not be a power loss untill the bearings started to gaul.

[LastSVXintheChi]

damn...ok...looks like i have my next to do after we replace the alternator on my GFs car tonight.... *sigh* the "perks" of being an SVX owners :D

[svxfiles]

Do you have a factory Subaru pressure sender/sensor in your SVX?

[LastSVXintheChi]

Do you have a factory Subaru pressure sender/sensor in your SVX?

could you tell me where it is located so i can check? because i am not sure i didnt replace it Firestone did and they usually use remain parts

[svxfiles]

It goes strait down into the engine block.
Looking at the engine from the front it is behind the alternator, a little towards the passenger side.
It has a single wire going to it with a blade connector.

[Huskymaniac]

It goes strait down into the engine block.
Looking at the engine from the front it is behind the alternator, a little towards the passenger side.
It has a single wire going to it with a blade connector.

Yeah, I would think verifying that it is a Subaru part and/or cleaning the contacts would be the most logical next step. A pressure check would also be nice if you are worried that there is a serious problem outside of the sender and its contacts. But if the sender isn't Subaru, it is highly likely that this is the problem.

[LastSVXintheChi]

Is this little guy im pretty sure it is cus its the newest looking thing there lol

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq84/caincars/IMG_20110822_144916.jpg