Oil light comes on 94 850

I recently purchased a 1994 non-turbo 850. It has plenty of oil in it, but
the oil light comes on frequently--it kind of flickers on and off while I'm
driving, and at other times it behaves and just stays off. Any idea as to
what could be causing this or how to fix it?

Thanks,

Chuck

 

Could be the sensor itself or the wire leading from it intermittently
shorting to ground.



Regards,

Boris Mohar

Got Knock? - see:
Viatrack Printed Circuit Designs http://www3.sympatico.ca/borism/

 

Well, sorry to say this, but...you could have worn main bearings, a big but
not too big job, or any number of other internal engine parts worn enough to
open up the clearances and cause a drop in oil pressure. Oil pumps wear out
too, however the first step is to take the oil pressure sending unit out and
put a gauge in it's place and see if the engine has enough pressure.

By the way the sending units fail too and if that's the case the whole job
should be less then 100 bucks.

are you using the correct weight oil btw?

 

The car performs well but I will do an oil pressure check on it. The
previous owner mentioned that the problem with the light started when he had
the engine seals replaced, and that he thought they may have shorted the
wire when they did the seals. I am using the proper oil viscosity, so that
isn't the problem. Thanks for the suggestions.

Chuck

 

There is also a problem with the 'O' ring where the oil pickup is which if
it is leaking will cause the pump to suck air (and that will cause low
pressure). Might be worth checking there too?

 

Thanks, that is a good suggestion. I did have an oil pressure check done,
and the oil pressure is fine.

Chuck

 

If the OP is good then the sending unit is my guess as the problem point.