☰
GET A QUOTE

Q: Oil light flashes when I push brakes

asked by on October 12, 2016

When I pull over and apply the breaks in my white 2001 ford taurus a red light located above the emergency break light indicating a leak seems to flash. I just got my oil changed the other day. The car isn't overheating. I change the oil regularly and top off on coolant. They supposedly topped off on break fluid and windshield washer fluid as well but when I want to clean my windshield no fluid comes out. Anyway what could this mean and how much could this cost?
My car has an automatic transmission.

Recommended Services

Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement $104.83 - $442.63 Get a Quote
Oil Pressure Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Or For Any Other Auto Repairs Get a Quote

Hello. You don’t indicate the mileage on your vehicle, but a high mileage or poorly maintained or abused engine could have low oil pressure from worn connecting rod or crankshaft main bearings or a clogged oil pump pickup screen. It is also possible the oil pressure sending unit or switch has become weak and is failing - triggering the low oil pressure warning in error. I recommend having a qualified professional, like one from YourMechanic, diagnose the Oil Light firsthand so that the proper repair can be done.

Ford
Taurus
Oil Pressure Light
2001
V6-3.0L
oil pressure
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

Guages not working
Hi. It sounds like you may be onto something. When the gears on the speedometer cable wear out, it is unable to calculate the vehicle speed and display it on the instrument cluster. In rare cases, the cluster itself will...
Read more
P2173 error code related to AIR DOOR ACTUATOR?
Hello. The ETC (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-are-the-different-codes-that-can-light-up-on-my-dashboard) and ESC (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-does-the-electronic-stability-control-esc-warning-light-mean-by-spencer-cates) lights are likely not related to your air door actuator. The air door actuator is an AC component, and not really connected to the electronic throttle control or stability control systems. The ETC...
Read more
Why is my oil gage stuck at 80 psi whenever my truck is on?
This is a common sign of a failing oil pressure sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-pressure-sensor-replacement). This is a small unit in the engine block that reads oil pressure inside the motor and relays this information to the vehicle's computer as well as the...
Read more
Anti-theft system issues after leaving key in overnight. Car won't start.
Hello. From what you describe it would appear that your security system may be activated and needs to be reset (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-reset-a-car-alarm-by-samson-dikeman). This likely happened as a result of leaving the keys in the vehicle overnight. The procedure for resetting the...
Read more
I just want to know the location for fuel rail pressure sensor for hummer h2 model 2008
Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic. Look on the fuel rail to your engine and you will see two lines that will meet to the rail on one side. Right just before the two lines, you will see a sensor...
Read more
Leaking head gasket
Any type of head gasket sealer is only recommended to be a temporary repair in most cases. I see some claim to be a permanent fix. I do not believe any of these any of these sealers will seal permanently....
Read more
Car randomly died while driving, initially tried to turn over but now no power at all, scanner not piling up any codes.
Hi there. There could be an issue with the battery or the electrical system for the vehicle to stall out randomly. Check the battery for any loose connections and to see if the battery is fully charged. If there is...
Read more
Brake sensor is to sensitive causing brakes to flicker while driving. 2005 Mercury Montego
Hi there - your brake light switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-parking-brake-warning-switch) needs a minor adjustment. It is adjusted too "tight" or close to the brake pedal lever, or possibly has failed. Adjusting/replacing it will eliminate this flickering problem. I recommend a brake light...
Read more
2012 Ford Fusion power steering warning light illuminated
Your vehicle is equipped with electronic power steering (EPS). When a problem is detected in with ESP, the power steering warning light comes on. One common problem with your vehicle is a faulty power steering control module (PSCM). The PSCM...
Read more

Related articles

2012 Ford Fusion vs. 2012 Toyota Camry: Which Should I Buy?
While most people believe that domestic sedans just cannot compete with the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, the industry leaders, that is not necessarily true. Yes, there are some metrics where the Camry just excels, however the Ford Fusion...
Read more
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Need a Lot of Trunk Space
Many Many people focus more on interior room than cargo carrying capacity. That’s natural if you have a large family or regularly carpool, but what about drivers who need to carry a lot of stuff most of the time and...
Read more
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Uber or Lyft Driver
Are Are you thinking of becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft? That could be an exciting career change – you’ll get to meet a lot of interesting people, and if you love to drive, what better way to spend...
Read more

Browse other content

Services
Cities
Estimates
Cars