Engine Oil Light-Oil Pressure Switch

[Stephen0523]

Hello all. I have a 1993 Sunbird LE with a 2.0 non turbo engine with AC.
The oil Light starts to flicker on when the card comes to a stop and is warm. When I accelerate it goes out. I believe it might be the Oils Pressure sensor / switch.

The attached 2 photos were just taken while I was under the car changing the oil.

Photo 1 shows the switch near the oil filter which I think is correct or Photo 2 near the front of the pan.
Would someone know which of these are the correct location for the switch and what part number would it be for the switch and the best place to get one would be most appreciated.

Best Regards
Stephen

 

[Too Fast]

Photo 1 should be the oil pressure sensor. Photo 2 is the oil level sensor, which is not the same as an oil pressure sensor.

How many miles on your car? High mileage may indicate worn engine bearings (usually), weak oil pump (not as common) clogged oil pick-up screen (not too common).

Usually this is a low oil pressure problem, and it shows up at a hot idle exactly as you describe, from worn engine bearings. What weight engine oil do you use? Stock is probably 5w30 you could try 10w30. That may be enough to keep the light on at hot idle. The light comes on when oil pressure is less than ~6psi. Best thing to do is have it confirmed with an actual oil pressure gauge connected in place of the oil sending unit to confirm that low oil pressure exists.

Sometimes the sending unit is faulty, hope that is your case!

 

[Stephen0523]

Hi Too Fast. I have 190700kms. I use Synthetic 5W30. I just changed the oil and filter last night and the light is off. As I recall it might stay off for some time. I am thinking it may come on again when it is getting close to changing it again.

How would I go about using oil pressure gauge and where is the oil sending unit (Or is it the same thing as the Pressure Sensor) as I would like to rule out low oil pressure?

Thanks

 

[melsg5]

the oil sending unit and pressure sensor are the same. You unscrew the sending unit and attach the oil pressure gauge.

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[92 Sunbird LE]

If you do run an oil pressure gauge, use the copper line, not the nylon crap line they give you because it will fail.............BTDT many years ago!

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/41055/10002/-1


I allways recommend that you keep the idiot light also ( with a "T" fitting ) cause a light gets your attention more than a guage does............

http://www.jegs.com/i/NOS/741/16775/10002/-1?parentProductId=2463860#moreDetails

Doug in P.R.

 

[Too Fast]

^^^yes what they said.

And I meant to say in my other post that the heavier wieght oil may be enough to keep the light *off* at hot idle, not *on*.

Your engine is getting up on kilometers, but she shouldn't be done yet!

 

[Stephen0523]

Hi again, I forgot to ask, but how do I remove the sensor?

 

[melsg5]

an open end wrench.

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[Stephen0523]

Thanks