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Oil pressure lights work off the pressure of oil in the engine. When the car is idleing and out of gear the engine is turning a certain RPM (Rounds Per Minute). The speed that it is turning is fast enough to keep the oil pressure at a level high enough not to trigger the light. When you place the car in gear, the engine slows down and thus the oil pressure drops to a point low enough to trigger the light. Once you accelerate, the speed of the engine increases and brings up the oil pressure. Now, the cause of this could be numerous. First make sure you have plenty of oil as this is the least expensive to fix. The oil could be too thick and needs to be changed to solve this change the oil if it's been a while. Finally there could be several mechanical reasons for low oil pressure such as a bad oil pump (not likely), clogged oil lines/ports, worn main bearings, clogged return oil ports from the heads. None of these last things are cheap to fix. However, if it's a motor with clogged oil ports (thick oil, gunk on the inside of the valve cover, etc) there are products that will disolve it that you can flush the motor with and then change the oil. This 'fix' can sometimes cause more problems to crop up and should be used as a last resort. Good luck.
Wiki User
∙ 19y ago
Wiki User
∙ 18y agoLow oil pressure. Change the filter and use a Motorcraft OEM filter. If it still has low pressure at idle, have the oil pressure checked to see if it is indeed low or possibly the oil sending unit is defective.
Wiki User
∙ 16y agoCould be that you need to add engine oil or that your oil pressure is too low. This is the real problem with 'idiot lights' on the dashboard, as sometimes they don't indicate a problem until it is almost too late.
Gauges are far more accurate and give real time status of what is going on inside the engine.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoCheck oil level, proapably need to add oil. Once you give it gas it makes more pressure and light will come off. It is most likely just low enough that when it is idleing pressure not high enough thus setting light.
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoLow oil pressure. Check amount of oil. Think about using a thicker oil in the future. Check for a leaking oil pressure sensor.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoNot the correct oil for engine,
Engine idling rpm to low,
Faulty oil pressure sending unit,
High mileage on engine,
Lack of oil changes and maintenance on engine,
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Why would car sometimes run and idle fine but sometimes stall while idling with clutch in. low oil light also randomly comes on when shifting?
My car does the same thing, except for the low oil... from time to time when I come to a stop I'll push in the clutch and it will randomly stall... I think its b/c my idle is not set high enough, but there could be a different reason...
How and where do you change the idle speed on a 1993 Mitsubishi Galant SOHC?
The idle speed is factory pre-set, and no adjustment is available. If the idle is too high, or too low, you will be having other problems that will affect the idle. In cooler temperatures, it will take the engine longer to come out of fast idle, as the engine warms up to operating temp. If the idle is too high/stays at a higher than normal idle, then take the thing to get it repaired. Running a car in gear(automatic transmission) with a higher than normal idle, can damage the transmission.
How come your car runs on idle but turns off once you put it in gear?
Could have a large vacuum leak. Give us more info about the car like the year, make, model and engine.
Why will the volts light come on when the car is stopped and idling but goes out once you are moving?
This is a sign of a weak alternator or possibly a loose belt. At idle your car is running at a low RPM. The alternator is driven by the engine so it is also running at a lower RPM. When the vehicle is accelerated the engine RPMs go up. This in turn drives the alternator faster, and it is able to produce a higher voltage.r
If my idle control valve is bad will my car cut out when i excelerate?
Your idle air control valve should not affect your acceleration. As soon as you step on the gas , the idle part of your engine should not be operating. If your car cuts out or stumbles, i would suspect a problem with the TPS ( throttle position sensor.)
What would make the check engine light come on and the car vibrate while idle?
Take it to auto zone and hav3 the codes read for free.
Can a vacuum leak cause the service engine light come on and car stall at idle?
Yes, that is one of many possibilities.
What is solution for Jaguar Super 8 engine light which comes on if car is on with gas cap off while fueling?
Don't fuel up with the engine running. The car is set up to test the intergrity of the fuel sytem for vapor leaks. The main time it will run is at idle. If it is running and you have the gas cap off, the light will come on.
No engine light on but bad idle?
If you drive an older car that has a carburetor, it could be that you need an adjustment to it. Your engine could be misfiring, but the engine light doesn't come on. You should take the car to a local mechanic, because it might need a tuneup.
What causes your car to stall while turning?
If the car is starving for fuel or air (low power at idle), the car will stall while turning.
Why would car sometimes run and idle fine but sometimes stall while idling with clutch in. low oil light also randomly comes on when shifting?
My car does the same thing, except for the low oil... from time to time when I come to a stop I'll push in the clutch and it will randomly stall... I think its b/c my idle is not set high enough, but there could be a different reason...
Car is shaking while in idle What is the problem?
plugs or vacuum. 65;
What causes a car to surge or idle up and down while in park or sitting at a red light?
could be a couple of problems. check idle control sensor or egr valve. good luck IAC idler control valve.
Your 1993 Lincoln Town Car Idles at fast idle and will not come off of fast idle anything you can fix yourself?
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What is causing your car to shake even while idle?
miss alignment of tires
Why does your car die if you turn on air conditioner while driving and then come to a stop and how do you fix it on a 99 Ford Escort?
the idle air control valve most the time
What would cause a battery light to come on in a car while it is still running?
Alternator is no longer working properly.
