t.sandin@comcast.net Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 I recently had my oil changed on my 76 2002 and the oil light would intermittenly come on at stop signs and lights until i rev the engine to keep it off. any ideas on what this might be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tech71 Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 (edited) A flickering oil pressure light at low RPM usually indicates worn main bearings or oil pump. Assuming there's enough oil in there? Was the oil changed to a different weight? Edited August 17, 2022 by tech71 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Self Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 What's your idle speed? Should be around 8-900 rpm. How many miles on the engine? If you have the OEM oil pressure warning light (i.e. you didn't add a gauge), the light will come on at .5 atmos, or 7 psi. However, if you added a VDO gauge and retained the warning light circuit, it will come on at 1 atmos, or 14.7 psi. From experience, my 204k mile engine didn't have the oil light come on at idle with the requisite 20W-50 oil and a VDO gauge. Presume you're running 20w-50 oil, and that the folks that changed the oil put the requisite amount in (4.3 qts when the filter is changed). If they put in 10W-30 (or, horrors 0W-20), you need to pay 'em a return visit for the correct oil. mike 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Son of Marty Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 All other things remaining the same I would be looking at what weight of oil was used, modern cars run a much lighter oil than our cars do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albatcha Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Another possibility is that the time the flickering light started happening is coincidental, and it's just a bad oil pressure switch or sensor. I had a vdo sensor stamped '73 and the warning light would flicker at idle and the needle of the oil pressure gauge would bounce up and down a lot, switched it with a new one and now the gauge reads more steady, it doesn't bounce below the low pressure mark, and the warning light never comes on. I would say in order of easiness, check the oil level and weight first, then check the switch and the pressure, then look deeper into the engine after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albatcha Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Also the vdo sensors lighting up at 14.7psi is not universally true. So be careful. I chose my sensor based on the specs and it stated the warning was at 7psi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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