Occasional blinking of the "Check Oil" light.

[ootdega]

I've done as it says and the oil's as full as it's been since the tune-up last year. Nothing seems to be wrong but the occasional blinking is distracting at night.

I'm stumped. Oil pump, maybe? That's probably the only auxiliary part I've yet to have a problem with.

[sxcpotatoes]

Year, colour of oil light. If it's the red oil light of death, yes the oil pump is going, BUT DO NOT DESPAIR. If you switch to a thicker oil it'll soldier on for years or decades even. You can dump a can of Engine Honey in to thicken up the oil you have, or just change the oil and fill it with 20w-50 racing oil. If you bring the idle up by goosing the gas with other foot on the brake and it puts the light out. Usually the light flickers when stopped at a red light with car in gear. If it comes on solid very long, you're screwed it WILL SEIZE.

You're in luck though, these Ford motors need oil flow, not oil pressure, so as long as you have that 20w-50 racing oil in it and topped off, it will last.

Another thing you can do is check the dipstick markings. Change oil, fill all but 1qt, check oil, see/mark if different from LOW. Put last qt in, check, mark if different from F on dipstick.



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[sly]

it may also just be low idle. the IAC and throttle body may just need a good cleaning.

[jaywish]

Also thicker oil can speed engine wear so there really is not a great solution if the pressure is low except...
HO.

I had bad bearings in mine for years before the tranny went and I replaced the engine and tranny in one shot.

[miamibob]

it may also just be low idle. the IAC and throttle body may just need a good cleaning.

I'd check those two out before I went to thicker oil!

[gadget73]

The oil pumps almost never go bad. When these lose oil pressure, the bearings are worn out. You can confirm with a real oil pressure gauge if you'd like. No real fix for it other than a crank kit or a better stereo. Fords don't need oil pressure, they need oil flow. As long as it doesn't hammer while driving, pay it no mind. When you're to the point that the red oil pressure light is on constantly while driving at highway speed, its pretty well toast though.


If its the amber "check oil" light, it may be the wire down to the sensor is chafing on the motor mount. Its on the side of the oil pan. Follow the wire up to the harness and just make sure it isn't damaged. Sometimes it comes out of the little clip and rubs on things, causing shorts. The light comes on when the float switches to ground, so any short in the wire can make the light pop on and off.

[ootdega]

Yeah, it's yellow. Year is 89.

Eesh. My eyes are kinda glazing over at all this information...

[sxcpotatoes]

the yellow light is just low oil, could be a wire/funky sender or something then.

[shagginwagon]

Ford offers a good oil pump but the screen to filter out large contaminants has a very small opening. About 5/8" at its largest point. Looks like a half moon. This opening can be enlarged. Also, the factory Ford gaskets where cork. Bits can break off and get stuck in the trap which its designed to do,however, low oil pressure is a result when your idle is low. Like gadget73 said, oil pump almost never go bad.

[ootdega]

I'll have to get it checked out, then. It does sputter occasionally going into low idle.