1997 Chevy Cavalier oil pressure light

1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
194,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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DAVIDFARR3000
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what would cause your oil pressure light to come on? it just started doing that, i brake then it comes on, i accelerate it goes off, oil is fine, except that light just showed up, its currently off right now but i would appreciate any input
Oct 3, 2009 at 3:33 PM
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MMPRINCE4000
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It could be a bad oil pressure sender, or the oil pump pickup may have worked loose.

I would change the sender first, if problem persists, remove oil pan and check pump pickup.
Oct 7, 2009 at 9:26 AM
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DAVIDFARR3000
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could you explain on where these parts i have to check are located and what needs to be done, is it an expensive job or is the car worth fixing
Oct 7, 2009 at 2:22 PM
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MMPRINCE4000
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Normally I would say it was a faulty oil pressure sender, but since you say it goes off when you accelerate, it sounds more like a oil pump pickup in crankcase. Oil pressure sender is on left rear of engine, remove connector, clean and reconnect, if problem persists, have oil pressure tested with mechanical gauge, if OK, but problem persists upon stopping and acceleration, then oil pump, or pickup, or possibly the oil pan baffles are bad. The question of cost vs. value of car is a question only you can answer. If you do the work yourself, you maybe looking at $400-500. If a shop has to remove pan and oil pump, then double the cost.


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/108325_cav_oil_pressure_1.jpg

Oct 8, 2009 at 9:52 AM
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DAVIDFARR3000
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so what would happen if these things are not repaired?
Oct 11, 2009 at 2:15 PM
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MMPRINCE4000
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If it is a bad gauge sender, then nothing would happen.

If the oil pressure is in fact low, you will starve the engine of oil and eventually cause premature bearing failure, main and cam bearings in particular.
Oct 12, 2009 at 8:30 AM
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