1999 Pontiac Sunfire Oil Light on when idling

1999 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
125,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
AJCHARNC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The 1999 Sunfire (125000 miles) is a 2nd car, used only to run errands and shop. On short trips (less then 20 miles round trip) its fine. On longer trips (20+ miles, especially in warm weather) when idling at stoplights the oil light will come on. Oil light will go off by giving it more gas while stopped at the light.

Is it the oil pump?

Or a low idle? Though no other problems with current idle speed.

Or an overheating problem, does the sensor also detect oil that's too hot? H2O temperature never is more than halfway up the gauge when this happens.

Idle speed seems to be the cheapest thing to check first.
Sep 25, 2010 at 8:20 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
MMPRINCE4000
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 8,548 POSTS
Could be low oil pressure, but most likely a bad sender.

You could check oil pressure with mechanical gauge, if OK, then sender is bad.
Sep 25, 2010 at 8:26 AM