I've read a bit about how this system works just want to make sure I my thinking is right.

Oil light comes on occasionally at startup. Stays on for a few seconds, doesn't go out if i hit the throttle. Might stay on for as much as 30 seconds of driving. Then does not come on again.

Truck is topped off with fresh 5w20. An oil pressure gauge is next on the list.

Engine runs fine. Lots of power. No serious noise.

My understanding is that this is most likely in the oil sender and that it is very unlikely to be the oil pump. Is that correct?

If it's neither of those things then it's a major failure requiring an overhaul, right?

This truck owes me nothing and is not worth much but I would not want to ignore a fixable problem and then have a not-fixable problem.

SO i'm planning to ignore this an install a gauge unless ya'll think I am missing something.

 

A gauge is what will tell the story. Install one soon to confirm that you do have oil pressure.
One of my trucks had most of the holes in the oil pump pickup screen plugged. It would pump just enough oil to shut off the light and the original gauge that was in essence just another idiot light.

 

Could be a bad switch or an actual problem with the oil pump or pickup. As joe said, what we have is an idiot light.
A true pressure gauge will tell what is actually happening.

 

Probably just a bad sensor. If you had no oil pressure your motor will let you know, like noisy as hell. Like others have said install a aftermarket guage.

 

My money is on the sensor, but as mentioned, a gauge will give you the real skinny.

On that note, I wonder how many people would be interested in a conversion of the existing oil "gauge" into one that actually works. (I know of a solution I can beta test.) Maybe I'll start a poll.

Andy

 

Andy,
There is a conversion from numerous years back. It may need some updating,
http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/Ford...reGaugeFix.htm

 

Personally, I've never seen any good come after that light. A precursor to bad things on the horizon usually. Hope it's not the case here.

Only an idiot would ignore (that's why it's called an idiot light btw). Both light and gauge work flawlessly.

When does it come on ? Warm start or Cold start ? What does your gauge say and what is your gauge doing when monitoring. Usually the light references heat, the gauge references pressure. Are you running a Fram or cheap filter?

Here's what your gauge should be doing, we had a shootout online once lol, -

2001 5four, -

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/...OYbNj0QwGVwqSa

1998 5four, -

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/...eeR4YjoKi2jw8q

I hope it's the sensor, I've never seen one come on and the sensor was the cause yet. That's just my experience though.

 

I've had this happen 4 times (not on my truck though).... all 4 times it was the sensor. My brother just called me on Friday because his Escape is doing it. I told him to get a sensor for it.... assuming he didn't yet though because I didn't install it, LOL.

I went through all of those same questions with my brother, Brew. He had some shop change the oil, so I even asked him what viscosity oil.... you never know what the hell these shops use.

 

Thanks, Joe. I used that "fix" on my '95 Mustang, so now the gauge at least moves. The newer panels aren't that simple.

Andy

 

Who me? Every case I seen was high mileage engines switching to synthetic oil incorrectly. No flush first and that plugged the pick-up screen. Wait, there was one that bent or crushed the oil pan as well, supporting the engine under the pan incorrectly.