Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light On?

Tiny
TOYMADNESS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA
Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 180k miles

Just purchased a 1991 Toyota. After driving it about 10+ miles the oil pressure light begins to flicker. After about 30 miles stays on!

Oil level is good. Oil beginning to look dark!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Oil pressure sender is on block behind AC/Alt. Bracket.
It has a one wire black spade connector

You will have to remove the brackets to unscrew the oil pressure sender, screw in a mechanical gauge and measure oil pressure, if low then possible bad oil pump, clogged oil galley, or main bearing issue.
Remove valve cover and inspect top of head, if there is significant sludge build up, the oil pump pressure release spring may not be working bypassing oil to engine and dumping it into oil pan, or main bearing issue.

If oil pressure from mechanical gauge is OK then replace oil pressure sender.

If bearing problem, then get a used engine from a 90-92 Toyota Corolla/Geo Prizm and replace the engine.

You can usually get a good used 4AFE for $300.
Make sure engine was from running car.
I have done this on several Toyota's and it is a good alternative to a reman'd engine, which will probably cost you $1600-2000.

Also make sure you get same engine i.E. Toyota made two 4AFE engines, one with EGR (CA. Only) and one without (called Federal/Canada).
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAKEMOUTH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA
Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Toyota Corolla Engine Size unknown Front Wheel Drive Manual 187.00 miles

My oil light comes on when I'm braking or at a stop, but goes off if I'm accelerating or driving at an average speed. I've checked my oil level, and it's fine. I'm not due for an oil change for another 2,000 miles. Could you please tell me what's going on? The engine is otherwise just fine.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,749 POSTS
Double check your oil level, a little bit of a low engine idle can cause this. The oil light sender switch could be out of calibration and needs replacement. I would not panic over it if you have oil in the engine.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Might also want to have the oil pressure checked with a manual gauge to be sure it is good
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
When the oil pressure checks out normal-test the oil pressure sending unit circuit if okay-replace the sending unit

If the light continues to come On-there's an engine internal problem -such as oil pump/engine bearings/oil galleries/sludge in the lubrication system.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WTHOMAS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 21,700 MILES
My oil light will not go off
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
The oil pressure sender is behind the alt/AC bracket on block, a one wire connection. Either the wire is loose, the sender is bad, or you have low oil pressure.
Check oil pressure with mechanical gauge, if OK, then sender or wiring to it.

Get this fixed ASAP, if you do have low oil pressure, you will damage the engine beyond repair.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
COROLLALVR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1990 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 188,000 MILES
It is extremely hot weather and I was running the A/C (which is not cooling much, needs refrigerant). Stopped for gas, then oil light came on and stayed on. Oil level fine, no trace of milkiness. Looked like a couple of tiny bubbles in the oil on the dipstick. Put in 1/4 quart oil anyway, light stayed on. Coolant level okay, did not run hot. I replaced the head gasket after it blew violently at 165,000 miles. Lately, it seems to need to build strength very briefly when it starts. Some coolant disappeared over time. There is no white smoke. If I put my hand over the tailpipe, there is a hint of steam, always has been. It has had failing sensors due to age. And it has been a few years since I did a tune-up or a block seal to keep it running well. I have not had the oil pressure checked. This is sudden. Please help me because I dearly love my car.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi,

You need to have the oil pressre tested first. There are a few possibilities :
1. Faulty oil pressure switch.
2. Clogged oil pump strainer in oil sump. You need to drop the oil pan to check.
3. Oil pump weak, pressure test would confirm this but you need to check for clogging first.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
COROLLALVR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Oil had leaked at the sensor and corrupted it plus the old wires. So it was like you said. Thanks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANDYBRANDY1990
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 74,000 MILES
Oil light came on sometimes when car idles. All fluids full oil just changed care drives like a dream light is annoying. I disconnected thelead wire to the switch. Will this do damage?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:31 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

The flickering could be just the oil switch going bad or just a loose connection. The only damage it will do is not let you know when the oil is low or your oil pressure drops out.

I would highly recommend having you oil pressure checked.

.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ADBIGELOW
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 170,000 MILES
My check engine oil light now turns on when I brake or when in neutral coasting. All fluids are full, and the car is running fine and has been for three weeks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Checking and replacing the oil pressure switch would be my 1st step
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
To add to the excellent advice BMRFIXIT gave:

The oil pressure switch is located on block behind alternator, a one wire connector. I would also remove it and measure oil pressure with a mechanical gauge, if low then oil pump, or excessive clearence in bearings.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAWN1975
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
1990 toyota corolla. What would cause my the oil light to stay on? The dipstck is reading full.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge, if normal replace the oil pressure switch. If abnormal could mean oil pump and/or engine bearing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PITCHER24AL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 230,165 MILES
My oil light stays on when my engine gets up to temp and goes of when I hit the gas and comes back on when I let off the gas. What is the problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge to verify it has low oil pressure.
This is done by removing the oil pressure sender and screwing in an adapter in its place connected to a mechanical gauge.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 14th, 2020 AT 5:32 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links