Why is my oil light flickering? If the oil light on your car is flickering, you are likely low on oil and your automobile may soon stop working. Because you may not be able to get your automobile towed or mended straight away, this can be a frightening situation.
The most vital part of a car is the engine. It is made up of numerous components to ensure optimal operation. When all of these components are operating under heavy loads and high temperatures, continuous, enough lubrication is needed. An oil pump provides lubricant to every component of the engine.
In most circumstances, when the electronic control unit detects an issue with the oil, the oil light error signal will appear continuously or flashing.
In this situation, it’s critical to identify the root problem and take immediate corrective action. We’ll examine a few potential causes of my oil light flickering and possible solutions.
Why Is My Oil Light Flickering?
When this light on your automobile starts to flicker, it’s critical to pay attention and figure out what might be the issue. Numerous variables may have contributed to this. The most frequent causes of flickering oil lights are listed below.
Oil Pressure Too Low
Oil light flickering is due to low oil pressure. When the oil pressure is just shy of being too low, the oil light will turn on. The oil pressure sensor notices it and activates and deactivates the LED.
The oil in the pan will travel to the front of the pan and reveal the oil pick-up tube when you apply the brake or strike it. It briefly creates oil shortage circumstances, which makes the oil light flicker.
Utilizing A Faulty Or Obstructed Oil Filter
The purpose of the oil filter is to prevent dust, debris, and other foreign objects from getting into the engine and contaminating the oil. Additionally, when the engine is shut off, the oil filter will store a little amount of oil within to prevent oil starvation.
After the engine is turned off, the oil in the oil filter can be emptied into the oil pan if it is faulty or of poor quality. And after the engine has started, there won’t be any oil used during the friction for a short while. It can indicate rapid engine internal part wear.
In this situation, the low oil light error may come on and potentially flash before going off after a short while.
On the other hand, a clogged oil filter usually causes the check oil pressure light to come on. Additionally, it may exhibit odd behavior, such as remaining on constantly, blinking, or turning on and off.
Engine oil will not flow through an obstructed oil filter as it should. As a result, the system’s oil pressure drops. Additionally, it increases the load on the oil pump, which depletes its resources.
A Broken Down Or Filthy Oil Pump
The water pump may malfunction after a while and need to be replaced. The system’s pressure won’t be maintained if these oil pumps break down. It results in the oil light flashing as well.
Another culprit is a clogged oil pump mesh, which allows less oil to pass through than it should. It results in a drop in oil level and pressure within the system. Additionally, this will damage the oil pump because it will hasten wear.
Fuse Issue
One reason could be blown fuses. In this situation, switching out the fuse is necessary to solve the issue. The good news is that replacing fuses is simple and reasonably priced. Your car’s make and model will determine if you can do it yourself.
An Issue With The Fuel Injection
The oil light is brought on by a different problem. If you have an ancient carbureted engine, be sure to check to see if it has a flooding issue. Extra fuel poured into the engine will spill out into the oil pan, thin the oil, and make the oil surge easily when you apply the brakes. Additionally, it makes the low-pressure light come on.
We advise you to remove the dipstick, smell the oil on it, and determine whether it has a gasoline-like odor. If so, there’s a good chance you have a fuel injection issue. Regarding this, you need to take care of the issue and get it fixed right away. Lack of lubrication will otherwise cause the engine to fail.
Wiring Issue
One or more of your wires may be frayed or damaged. This may occur if the car has been in a frontal accident or if the engine has suffered other types of damage. A wiring problem will typically cause the oil light to blink continuously rather than only while the car is operating. It’s crucial to have the issue quickly identified and fixed by a trained expert when you suspect wiring is to blame.
When Do You Need To Change Your Oil?
Oil for engines is not intended to last forever. And after enough driving, it will run out even if you don’t use it up as quickly as you do gas. Even though almost all cars have a device for checking the oil pressure, not all cars have oil pressure gauges on the dashboard. It’s advisable to check your oil level at the source for this reason.
Fortunately, it’s easy to check your oil level. Consult your owner’s handbook to get started. It will direct you through the subsequent steps and tell you where to seek for certain components. Locate the oil dipstick by opening the hood; it typically has a yellow or reddish handle.
Additionally, you must closely monitor the oil situation. Gunk can accumulate because of the dirt, dust, and other minute particles that it may take up while running through the engine. Even if your automobile has the right amount of oil, the obstruction may cause your oil light to come on.
Examine the oil on the dipstick to check for filthy oil in the same manner that you would to check your oil level. Clean oil should be somewhat fluid, translucent, and have an amber-like hue. Your oil is probably old and needs to be changed if it seems really dark, smells strange, or feels heavy and sluggish to the touch.
How Can You Prevent Future Flickering in Your Oil Light?
To stop additional harm to your engine, you should act if you notice a flashing oil light. Here are some pointers:
- If necessary, check your oil level and add more. The oil light may appear to flicker if the oil level is low.
- Make sure you use the right oil type for your engine if you have just changed your oil. If you use the incorrect oil, your oil light can flicker.
- Has a mechanic examined your engine? There might be a deeper problem that has to be resolved.
- Regularly check the oil level in your engine. You will have a head start on any issues because of this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it safe to drive while the oil light is blinking?
Try to get your car checked out by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible if your oil light turns on. Be aware that driving about a little bit extra won’t harm anything. Typically, it takes 500 miles or 2 weeks of driving before an oil light starts to flicker and become a real issue.
Q: Despite the fact that my oil is not low, why does my oil light keep coming on?
As soon as it is corrected, don’t drive. It’s necessary to replace your oil pressure sensor. The oil light may be caused by a worn-out oil pressure sensor even though the oil level and condition are satisfactory, the engine is operating normally, and the oil light is illuminated.
Final Thoughts
Why is my oil light flickering? Maybe the oil is low or dirty and some others. Your car’s engine oil is its lifeline. You won’t progress too far without it. One of the most important components of automobile maintenance is routine oil changes.