# Oil Warning Light Possessed

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-warning-light-possessed/24562>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** oil, lights\
**Created:** [January 8, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-warning-light-possessed/24562 "2009-01-08T00:38:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sidneyzilber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@sidneyzilber](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sidneyzilber)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 12:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-warning-light-possessed/24562/1 "2009-01-08T00:38:26Z")

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I had an oil change by my usual mechanic. I drove away w/all fine. After about 10 miles, my oil warning light came on when stopped. I checked the oil, and it was full and clean. The next day, the oil warning light did NOT light. On the next day the oil warning light went on after about 5 miles, but only when stopped. My mechanic changed out the oil light switch, but it still behaves the same: no light for about 5 miles, then on when stopped. My mechanic wants to drop the pan to check the pump. The car runs and sounds fine-no pings or other unusual noises.  
  
  
  
 Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 12:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-warning-light-possessed/24562/2 "2009-01-08T00:41:04Z")

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Make, model, year, engine, and miles please.

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-warning-light-possessed/24562/3 "2009-01-08T01:12:04Z")

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```
I think I would want a mechanical gauge on that thing and now. Don't assume it is the gauge, the actual pressure could be be going low. Maybe a pressure release valve?
```

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\
**Post date:** [January 8, 2009, 4:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-warning-light-possessed/24562/4 "2009-01-08T04:07:47Z")

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Try putting a few more ounces of oil in.

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**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-warning-light-possessed/24562/5 "2009-01-09T00:08:02Z")

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Yes, get the oil pressure checked with an independent gauge, but I suspect a defective filter.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2009, 12:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-warning-light-possessed/24562/6 "2009-01-09T00:13:27Z")

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Your mechanic, or another mechanic, should check the actual oil pressure before doing anything else. Has this been done?

At this point you don’t know whether the oil pressure is low, or not.

Make, year, model, and mileage might help. You’re not giving us very much information. All vehicles are not the same.