Dim oil light on startup?

[Kyle_V]

3-4 times I've started my 07 2.5i 98xxx miles cold and the oil light has been on but not fully lit up like if you turned the key to accessory and all the dash lights light up bright. It seemed to go away when the engine is warm. Oil level is spot on and I've started it on colder days throughout New England and haven't had it happen. Temp gauge inside said 32 degrees when it did it last night. I'm not parked on an incline either. Is this a forewarning to something else? Anyone else had this problem?

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[GT11]

Your oil pressure sensor is probably going out.

[bangedlegacywagon97]

What weight oil are you using?

[yarrgh]

sensor could be dying, contacts could be dirty. You can clean the connection to the sensor. It's grounded to the block, so make sure those grounds are clean also.

[Kyle_V]

Thanks I'll clean the contacts on it, I'd like to hook up a gauge at some point too. I'm running 5w 20 I believe.

[GT11]

Why would you run 5w-20?. Even 5w-30 isn't thick enough after it shears down after a couple thousand miles. You're just asking for a spun bearing.

[Rudgers73]

Happened to me once. It was very wet out and my car was buried in snow. As soon as it dried out it went away and never came back

[Kyle_V]

Originally Posted by GT11

Why would you run 5w-20?. Even 5w-30 isn't thick enough after it shears down after a couple thousand miles. You're just asking for a spun bearing.

I'm just running the manufacturer recommended, it's been in for 2000 miles and it still looks pretty clean. It might even be 5w30 I'd have to check. I would assume it can't be all that great running anything thicker in the winter.

[FLT.4.PWR]

I've had this happen a couple times this winter.. Always monitoring oil(Im weird about oil, have had the familiar knock) on cold morning start ups(around -5 to -10) after she warms up the faint light goes out!

Check my sensors and found little oil around each one and have replaced and washer it clean every few days and no light since... And still chilly mornings! That's just my 2c.. Hope it helps!

Vehicle: 07 2.5i 111,xxxkms

[scarney1988]

If you want piece of mind, connect oil pressure gauge and test it. Do not know the spec off top of my head for idle, but rule of thumb is 1 psi for every 100rpm. So Cold idle at say 900 rpm = 9ish psi.

Good luck man.

[Kyle_V]

I did clean the connection on the sensor it looked a little grimey, it hasn't happened since but the weathers been mild. Does the gauge connect electronically to that point? I know some of the old fashion ones need a hose ran into the block.. Idk why there isn't just a stock gauge like most cars.

[scarney1988]

Well if you want to mount a gauge in your car permanently, than a mechanical gauge would require an oil line to be run into the back of the gauge. However, there are electrical sending units (more exspensive), which goes where your oil pressure switch is right now (will need a splitter block to have both work properly) and only require a wire to be run to a gauge inside the car.

I was refering to a gauge like this which you could just test the oil pump with for peace of mind. Just unscrew your OPSU that is giving you trouble and screw that gauge on. Start it up and observe the pressure readings at idle, 1k, 2k, 3k, hot/cold.

VDO Oil Gauge

VDO Oil Gauge

Electrical Sender for Gauge

Electrical Sender for Gauge

I hope that helps. LMK if I can help you out.

[Kyle_V]

Hmm I might look into that splitter and get an electronic gauge. I'm not sure if I like the idea of an oil line running into the car haha.

[scarney1988]

Ya. Agreed. Electric is the way to go. FYI most oil pressure lights (switch pressures) are set to illuminate around 5 psi. So, monitoring O.P. is tough cause most manufacturers only warn at extremely low levels.

If you need a diverter block made for you lmk. I have the right kind of equipment to make one and could get it going, although im sure something exists out there for u.

Goodluck.

[Kyle_V]

I realize this might not be the best quality gauge but if you look at the oil pressure gauge featured here, the threaded piece in the picture is like what you're taking about am I right?
Http://bit.ly/XgwXrI

[scarney1988]

The threaded piece is the sending unit. This is the piece that will produce a signal for the gauge to interpret as a pressure reading. I would imagine one post would get battery voltage to it, and then the other terminal would require a wire going to the gauge. I could be wrong on that, In order to install this (or any guage that will read oil pressure) you will need access to oil pressure. You have a few options.

1. Remove your Oil Pressure switch that is installed (illuminates your oil lamp when low pressure occurs from factory) and insert a custom splitter block (similar to one you would use for cable tv). You would then be able to screw both your gauge sending unit and into this. I tried doing a quick search and could not come up with any of these premade ( just tried a quick google search. You could easily make on though, or I could make one for you maybe out of block aluminum. However, this may not be possible to do. Could you take a pic around Oil Pressure Switch?

2. If space allows you could use a sandwich block. This does not add to much expense and makes for a nice clean install. Plus it gives you another port to access oil temperature.

Not sure if i answered your question, but that guage set and pillar should be a nice start. You then need a way to get to your oil pressure without disrupting your OEM pressure switch functionality. Could you take a picture of your oil filter area? I am hoping the sandwich block is an option for you because makes for a clean and easy install.

Either way, good luck.

[Kyle_V]

Ahh I see what you're saying now. I'll take some pics tomorrow morning when there's a little more light. Should be enough room for that sandwich block but I'm wondering if the OEM switch would have enough room or if it would be too close to the block, depending on how wide that sandwich is.

[Kyle_V]

Didn't get a pic today, will be under the hood Wednesday

[scarney1988]

You ever move forward with any of this, or just say f it? Just curious how you made out.

[Kyle_V]

Hey scarney I appologize that I never got back to you about there being space for the splitter, I ran into some other problems and it kind of took a backseat. It also warmed up a bit in rhode island and it kind of slipped my mind. I did my brakes and rotors the other day and my clutch is making a noise so I had completely forgot. It is still on my list of things to do. I've actually reached out in a few other forum sections regarding my other problems and didn't get many opinions so I feel like a dick because you were actively helping me and I kind of forgot about it. Sorry again. I just hit 100k and have timing belt freshly on my mind but i will definitely be putting this back on the list of things to attend to

[scarney1988]

Ahh man, dont worry about it. Life is about prioritizing. If you need help with anything else, LMK. I want to install gauges on my EJ22, so I may do this myself. Good luck.

[Kyle_V]

I had a post about a loud squeal I get around 3500 rpm, it's actually gotten worse. Think I might need a clutch soon