Author Topic: oil level up but on startup light is blinking (Read 2529 times)

James8485 · « **on:** November 03, 2008, 06:27:59 pm »

within the past couple of weeks maybe a month now that its starting to get cold when i start my car it starts just fine but my oil level light flicks about 3-4 times then goes away i check my level she right up so why is the light coming on??

TurboJ · « **Reply #1 on:** November 03, 2008, 06:31:01 pm »

You should check the oil pressure

danwithagolf · « **Reply #2 on:** November 03, 2008, 07:24:31 pm »

the oil light always flicks on a bit at cold start up cuz all the oil drains to the oil pan when the car shuts off

maxfax · « **Reply #3 on:** November 03, 2008, 08:31:45 pm »

Couldn;t hurt to check the oil pressure with a gauge, but every VW diesel I have had does exactly that...

clbanman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 03, 2008, 08:51:05 pm »

What type of filter are you running? If you get a Fram or Canadian Tire version it will do the same thing due to oil drainback.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2008, 09:34:10 pm »

Important to note that it's an oil pressure light rather than an oil level light.

If it's flickering it's telling you it thinks your engine has an oil pressure problem... it may be right or it may be wrong... might be worth getting an oil pressure gauge (el cheapo from Autozone or Napa is fine) and temporary hooking it up to see what's really going on. It may be that the oil pressure may be low enough that it's taking a few seconds to establish... or perhaps your oil is thick enough that it's slow making it to the head.

You can also look for loose wiring etc at the oil pressure sender.

jtanguay · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2008, 09:35:35 pm »

mine does that... but i think it only flashes once during startup. and that was with the bosch filter.. i recently changed to the amsoil EA filter and it does the same sometimes. if it were to stay on for more than 5 seconds i would be worried... or maybe neglect it because the sensors are probably pooched.

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2008, 10:06:42 pm »

I didn't read all the posts but I had oil pressure issues with a 25$ oil filter when I should have been using a 9$ mann or bosch filter.

jtanguay · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2008, 10:26:18 pm »

there is obviously a pause until the oil pump can create the pressure within the sensors range. it's not instantaneous. you could buy one of those pre-oilers that store oil pressure and release it upon startup... but that is almost unnecessary...

Smokey Eddy · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2008, 05:51:28 am »

OH the light only blinks on start up???
Don't all cars do that? (basically)
Mine does.
so does the batt. light briefly, for me anyways.

clbanman · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2008, 08:40:32 am »

Mine did this same thing until I switched to a Mann filter, so they don't necessarily all do it. I agree that there is a short time lag until the oil pressure builds, but I no longer get the light flashing at startup.