Engine oil light comes on, even after oil & filter change, location of sending unit, to test?

Tiny
FJRDC
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
Oil light came on, checked oil was at the full level, oil mileage was at 3,000 miles, changed oil & filter (Castrol 5w-#30 & ac /del co PH48 ), car ran fine, reset oil life, 4 days later light come on again, would like to find the location of the sending unit to troubleshoot it/ replace it.
Wednesday, July 16th, 2014 AT 6:10 PM

40 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
Just so you're clear, the warning light refers to oil pressure, not level. The sending unit is usually near the oil filter. Professionals would check the actual pressure with a mechanical gauge first, then replace the sending unit if the pressure was fine. Since most people don't have a pressure gauge, and since sending units aren't very expensive, buy the new one, then you'll know what you're looking for. If the light still turns on while you're driving, have the pressure checked by a mechanic, or you should be able to borrow a pressure gauge from an auto parts store that rents or borrows tools. The hose for the gauge screws into the same port as the sending unit is in.
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Wednesday, July 16th, 2014 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
The switch is behind the alternator mounted on the engine block. See pic attached.
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Wednesday, July 16th, 2014 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
NOTHAPPYWITHMYCAR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 91,000 MILES
While driving yesterday my car died in the middle of the highway. The battery light and the oil light quickly flashed before it died (they were not lit previously and I just had my oil changed.) I don't think it was my battery because the lights, radio and windsheild wiper were still working when the car died. I had it towed and I'm just looking for a list of possibilities before talking with my mechanic - haven't had the best experiences taking my car to the shop. 2005 Chevy Classic.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check your oil first, if there isn't any in it go back to where they changed the oil and have them pay to fix your car. If there is oil in it have apro look at it because it could be a fuel pump, or engine problem.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 175,000 MILES
While idle, the oil light comes on. When the gas pedel is pressed it goes off. Why?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Low oil pressure. You need to get this checked asap as you may be doing damage to the bearings in the motor

Roy
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
1COUNTRYGURL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 97,000 MILES
Was taking my child to school and check oil light came on so I wnt to a auot store and bought oil and put in in we went to take it to a the place where I purchased and they said it was over filled with oil and I need a motor never had this problem before only had the car a moth and 3days where do I go from here !
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:24 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

over filling the engine with oil is not normally a real problem, if the check light is on, you will need a scan to determine the problem, go to a private work shop and get this done, first, also have the oil level corrected as if it is excessively over full you can have problems.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEATHERANDSTACY57
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,100 MILES
My 2003 chevy malibu won't start. It registers low fuel, but there is a half a tank or better in there. I tried resetting the theft system, but that didn't help. Also the battery light, and oil light are not coming on when its in the acc or on position. My husband also recently replaced our car battery. Any ideas what it could be?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Is the security light on?Do you power door locks and keyless entry work if you have them?Is the starter turning the engine over?Did you make sure the battery cables are clean and tight?Did you have the battery tested even though it was recently replaced doesnt mean its good.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEATHERANDSTACY57
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Yes the security light is on. The door locks work and the starter is turning over the engine and the battery is good and the terminals are clean.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Sounds like you could have a bad body control module. How did you try to reset the security light?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEATHERANDSTACY57
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
First I unhooked the battery when that didnt work I put the key into the auxillary setting for fifteen min. Security light is still on
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TREASURE36
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
We replaced the intake gaskets about 4months ago due to leakage of coolant on a mallbu with 80,000 miles now the oil lamp light will come on when you start the car in the mornings after all lighs have gone out onthe dash. I have checked the oil level and it is fine. The light stays on for around 1-2 mins and it will go off, my blink on right after it goes off but then dosent come backon again. What could be the problem. Please help me
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EUGENE123
  • MECHANIC
  • 273 POSTS
Your oil sending unit may be going bad because after it warms up its going off so when the motor is cold it takes a minute or two to read your oil level then it reads fine so the sensor maybe going bad
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Give what I posted a try?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEATHERANDSTACY57
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
The security light is off but the car still wont start
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HEATHERANDSTACY57
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
The fuel gauge is reading empty but their is more than half a tank of gas in it
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Because of the no start and the fuel gauge inop I suspect a bad bcm. Anyway you can rent a scanner and see if you have any codes?
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
87MACH1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
Check oil light comes on when I start car. I can turn the car off immeadatly and then right back on and the light is off. I have replaced the sensor in the oil pan that checks the level. I can run the car all day let it sit for 20-30 minutes, restart it and the light is back on. I can restart it in 5 minutes and it will be off. I dont know. Im baffeled. The car runs great. 85000 miles.
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Friday, January 3rd, 2020 AT 6:25 PM (Merged)

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