Blinking Oil Light Indicator on dash - Page 4

**Ranger** · #46 (**permalink**) 01-13-09, 10:00 PM

The Northstar only has 3-5 psi oil pressure at idle. Not much room for error. An aftermarket switch may not be calibrated correctly and give a false low pressure warning at 5 psi.

iJAC · #47 (**permalink**) 01-13-09, 11:23 PM

I see... can you give any insight as to where I can find the switch and any tips I should know? This is my first time really doing something outside oil changes

**Ranger** · #48 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 12:34 PM

Rockauto should have the switch. http://www.rockauto.com
It's up on the oil filter adapter.

john19990 · #49 (**permalink**) 03-21-09, 08:07 PM

I have recently observed problem for seville SLS 96 blinking oil light at stop light when oil level was in between Max and Min. When I put more oil, problem goes away but reappears when there is sufficient oil. I am planning to chage the pressure switch. My question is "Did some one resolve such issue by changeing pressure switch"?

Thanks
John

submariner409 · #50 (**permalink**) 03-21-09, 08:42 PM

As long as you use the recommended oil for your engine, which I believe is 10W-30, and maintain the level between the MAX and MIN marks on the dipstick you will have no problems with actual quantity.

If the oil pressure light is flickering at idle with the car warm then you should get an ACDelco pressure sending switch from www.rockauto.com. $14 + shipping. Very simple change with the car up on a lift. If you are not mechanically inclined then a local shop can do the job for about $20-$30 labor charge.

rickko · #51 (**permalink**) 03-21-09, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john19990

I have recently observed problem for seville SLS 96 blinking oil light at stop light when oil level was in between Max and Min. When I put more oil, problem goes away but reappears when there is sufficient oil. I am planning to chage the pressure switch. My question is "Did some one resolve such issue by changeing pressure switch"?

Thanks
John

If you read this entire thread you'll have seen I replaced the switch twice! Had the dealer do it. Both times the same week. NO JOY!!!! I repeat, NO JOY!

IMO, you'll waste your time and money.

I've had this car a long, long time now. The problem has persisted for five or six years. The ONLY way I've eliminated it is to keep the oil level at MAX or above. That has been the only answer for me. I tried High Mileage oil, again, no JOY.

The problem hasn't kept me from driving the car for a minute though. Now I have over 120,000 miles on it and it still runs like a top. I only have to remember to keep the level up, but then the car tells me by the flickering light. I always keep about two or three qts of oil in the trunk so I'm always prepared.

BTW, because I have to keep the oil topped off AND because I have to add a quart about every 800 to a 1000 miles I don't do regular oil changes. In fact I never do an oil change!

I cycle so much oil through the engine over a 5000 mile period that it's always almost fresh. I do change the filter every 5,000 miles though.

Thought you'd like to know...
..rickko..
PS. Notice how old this thread is? Whew. Glad it's still alive. I just wish someone would find the fix to this problem.

Necrosan · #52 (**permalink**) 03-22-09, 04:19 AM

It's probably your oil pump, rickko. You've just been lucky so far and it has only been "half" dead. It's time is coming.. I wouldn't chance driving the thing at all. That's just me though.

rickko · #53 (**permalink**) 03-22-09, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Necrosan

It's probably your oil pump, rickko. You've just been lucky so far and it has only been "half" dead. It's time is coming.. I wouldn't chance driving the thing at all. That's just me though.

I kind of agree with your "It's probably..." statement but I sure wish someone who has changed out their oil pump would confirm that is what fixed the problem. Until then you are "probably" right but no one has confirmed it yet.

According to my Cadillac mechanic

(30 years experience w/Cadillacs), the oil pump either works 100% or it doesn't work at all so, for the past many years its been cheaper just to keep the oil level topped off.

Granted, this problem is an irritation but the car is 12+ years old now, has over 120k miles on it, its got rock chips in front. Though the leather on driver's seat back is torn every feature/accessory still works, it's a daily city driver and serves well for the cost of a few quarts of oil now and then. Overall its fairly inexpensive to operate. If it finally fails it'll likely never be further than 15-20 miles from my mechanic's shop plus will give me the impetus to go out an buy a used newer Deville.

Until then, the STS has been a great value.

But.... I would like someone else to experiment and change out their oil pump finally settling the "probably's."

..rickko..

lbwd · #54 (**permalink**) 03-22-09, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickko

My opinion is, if you have the same problem, learn to live with it and enjoy the car. Ignore it as long as it always goes off once the car is revved off idle.

Roger that. I've had the same issue on my '96 STS and have even had the STOP ENGINE dinger come on at times. Thanks for sharing with us.

As for oil, I use Kendall 10w-30, sometimes 5w-30. It seems to help a decent bit, especially with 5w-30 in the summer.

99 Concours Guy · #55 (**permalink**) 03-22-09, 06:47 PM

Man this is an old thread. How about porosity or some other defect in metal on pickup tube?Could explain why works fine when level kept high.

Sweetness224 · #56 (**permalink**) 05-22-09, 05:21 PM

well i have enjoyed reading this thread and i am still lost as to what i want to try next... i've just had this exact same problem happen. Runs great, no noises, fresh oil change with correct 10w-30. I'm thinking about hooking a mechanical oil pressure gauge to it this coming week and see if my actual oil pressure readings are with in factory specs... could someone supply what an idle oil pressure should be for a 96 eldorado? If actual readings are correct then i think i just might try chainging the oil pressure senor myself since its a cheap part and if that doesnt work, im just going to let it be. Thanks guys!!

**Ranger** · #57 (**permalink**) 05-22-09, 09:42 PM

Minimum oil pressure at idle is 5 psi. Sub reports an actual 20 psi with a pressure gauge.

Sweetness224 · #58 (**permalink**) 05-22-09, 10:01 PM

thanks ranger! i'll let you guys know what i find out next week if time allows!

aac123 · #59 (**permalink**) 09-21-09, 05:27 AM

Low or No Oil Pressure
The following can cause low or no oil pressure:

* Low oil level-fill to the full mark on the oil level indicator.
* Slow idle speed
* Incorrect or malfunctioning oil pressure switch-replace the oil pressure switch.
* Incorrect or malfunctioning oil pressure gauge-replace the oil pressure gauge.
* Improper oil viscosity or diluted oil
* Install oil of proper viscosity for expected temperature.
* Install new oil if it is diluted.
* The oil pump is worn or dirty-clean or replace the oil pump.
* The oil filter is plugged-replace the oil filter.
* The oil pickup screen is loose or plugged
* replace the oil pickup screen.
* A hole in the oil pickup tube-replace the oil pickup tube.
* Excessive bearing clearance-replace the bearings.
* Cracked, porous, or plugged oil galleries-repair or replace the engine block.
* The gallery plugs are missing or improperly installed-install or repair as necessary.
* The pressure regulator valve is stuck.
* Check the pressure regulator valve for sticking in the bore.
* Check the bore for scoring and burrs.
* The camshaft is worn or poorly machined-replace the camshaft.
* Worn valve guides-repair as needed.

MrsC · #60 (**permalink**) 10-08-09, 01:48 PM

I recently purchased a 1998 Cadillac Deville with a little over 100,000 miles and am now experiencing the same issues with the Oil Indicator/Stop Engine now.
At first the problem scared me and I thought what did I just purchase?, but after taking it in, as previously stated by others, nothing came up.
It seems to only happen when the A/C has been running and I have driven it over 50 miles, or idling low when driving around the city. It seems to occur more frequently when it gets close to needing an oil change or on hot days when I've been driving over an hour.
On the Interstate no problems arise at all and it's smooth sailing.
I've exhausted my mechanic with my concerns, but no one can find a clear indication of what's causing it.
There is no engine knocking or any other indication that something is wrong.
Right now I just add a quart of oil or two as necessary and no other problems have arisen. Sometimes even taking out the dipstick and "pumping" it a few times does the trick too. It's the strangest thing.
I absolutely love this vehicle and will be a Cadillac driver for life now, but finding a solution to this annoying problem would be great! I will continue to read and hopefully one day this can be resolved, but for now I'm glad to know I'm not crazy. I feel your pain!