Q: Oil light comes on for a few seconds only when idle

asked by on October 08, 2017

Approachint a light i stopped on a hill last night. My oil pressure light came on and went right off. It did it every time i idled so i put oil in it after checking (it was low) and the light still sometimes comes on at idle. The car runs fine and shifts fine and its only when im stopped and in drive. As soon as i let off the break the light goes off. I imagine if it was the pump or somethint serious the light would stay on no matter what. Could it be the sender? Or maybe it needs an oil change? Maybe a pump after all? What does this sound like ? Any help would be appreciated as i only have the money to get one thing fixed so I cant afford to play the "fix the cheapest part and then keep going till you figure out the problem" game. Lastly is it safe to drive? I havent driven since the light came back on but its my only way to work tonight and the rest of the week.

My car has 118000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

If you are getting low oil pressure it would first start to show up in drive and low engine speeds. I would first suggest to have the oil and filter changed using correct oil. If problem continues then have pressure tested to see if it is low or the sending unit is defective.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I engage the parking brake?
The parking brake is an important safety feature that keeps your car from rolling away when it is parked. To engage the parking brake, simply lift up on the parking brake lever, which is located directly below the shifter. The...
How do I start the car if I have keyless ignition and the transmitter battery is low?
The keyless ignition system allows you to turn on your vehicle without a key, simply by using the remote keyless entry (RKE) transmitter. If the transmitter battery is dying, however, the keyless ignition system will not operate normally. When this...
No crank no start with new battery starter and ignition
This sounds like an electrical issue. Possible causes of the no crank no start are: the starter + solenoid battery cable brake switch neutral safety switch an open / short circuit A qualified technician such as one from YourMechanic will...
Engine rod knock
Hello and thank you for contacting YourMechanic. The oil to use is a thick 15/40W oil for diesels. This oil is thicker than normal engine oil and can keep an engine from knocking for a little while. If the engine...
My Service Engine soon came on what does it mean ?
The service engine soon light is equivalent to a check engine light. Whenever there is a fault, from a bad engine sensor for example, a fault code is stored in the engine control unit, or ecu. When that happens, the...
Car won't maintain an idle.
Hi there. Try turning on the ignition to the ’ON’ position 3 times with 30 seconds each time to see if the fuel system had air in the rail. This will help with the air in the system. When starting,...
Where can I find a mechanic in Central/Northern Ohio to work on our car? Has blown head gasket
Hello. We may have a technician in Northern Ohio capable of such repair. I will reach out to customer service and they will contact you regarding the pricing and availabilty of a technician who will repair your vehicle in your...
I replaced my DRL on my 2016 Jetta but the indicator light is still on
Hi Tony. Thanks for submitting your question today. If the Daytime Running Indicator light is still illuminated after completing these repairs, then it's likely that an error code is stuck in the ECU and simply needs to be removed by...
There is a small brown sludge oil layer in my coolant tank.
Often times, sludge in the radiator is an indicator of a leaking cylinder head gasket, which can lead to major engine damage if not checked out soon. A blown head gasket may cause a number of different symptoms. A head...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Caterer
If If you are in the catering business, you need a reliable vehicle that will provide you with what you need to transport your food, linens, and other supplies. Generally speaking, you're better off buying gently used, because you will...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Pressure Sensor
Common signs include the Oil Pressure Light coming on or blinking constantly despite oil levels being fine or the oil pressure gauge reading zero.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Oil Return Hose
Common signs include cracks or bulges on the hose and noticeable oil leaks.