Oil Pressure Light

[Pelley]

Ok so I just noticed that my oil pressure light is going on and off. It was about 200 miles after an oil change. At first I though, crap I must be short oil, but the oil level looks perfect. I went ahead and drove it for another day and then let it sit for a few hours and checked the level again once it was cool and the oil level still looks perfect.

The light only comes on in low RPM's, around 1000 to 1200, and then goes off. It will imediately go away once I hit the gas pedal, and will come on once I lift all the way off and the RPM's go low again. I have had this 4runner for only about 2 months now, it is my first 4th gen. so I am not sure where to start with this... Thanks in advance for any and all help!!!

Stats in case it helps: 2005, V6, auto, 99450 miles, 200 since oil and filter change with Moble One full synthetic.

 

[Jeff4runner]

hate to say it, but it may be either a clog in the pick-up, or a bad oil pump. Even the filter could do something wacky to the pressure. What filter are you running?

 

[jow]

I’ll agree with Jeff4runner. Sounds like you are loosing oil pressure or not getting enough. I prefer gauges over “Idiot Lights”. Even if you connect it temporally under the hood where the oil pressure sensor is. Then you’ll see just how low your oil is compared to what it should be. Along with Jeff, I hope it will be something minor as a pump or filter vs real wear.

Do you know if the truck was maintained well in the past? Sounds like this start with an oil change, which could give some leads. Something just happening could be oil wt or filter related vs real wear. I saw what you are seeing in a 1970 VW and 1972 and 80 Jeep Wagoneers. Due to TX 100-degree heat and minor engine wear, they would loose oil wt’s viscosity and the lights (gauges dropped) would come on in short mileage after oil changes but would improve with RPM. I started using STP per oil change and the pressure stopped dropping. It did require a pump to solve one of the wagon's’ problem. Using 5-20 wt oil in the T4R 07 V-6 is blowing my mind but it's’ working. I had a 70 Volvo wagon that required 20-50 wt in good condition. LOL. Good Luck! jow

 

[jow]

“Idiot Lights”! Has no suggestion, just what they were called. jow

 

[Jeff4runner]

I doubt its from wear. Im at 115,000 on an 04, and its running strong on pressure (I usually check once a year. Only dropped 2 psi average at 2000 rpm over cars life). It could just be a faulty sensor.

However, I did some more research, and if you bought the car from some bonehead who never changes the oil, then check the sump (pick-up), oil filter, and try testing the pressure with an analog gauge (needle). Maybe it just has a bunch of crap built up, and they did the oil change w/ cold engine. If you have the time, do a seafoam treatment just in the oil. Run it about 30 minutes, and change the oil again. My reccomendations (and several others), try a purolator, bosche, or toyota filter, and no Fram garbage. We never use that in our shop.

If all else fails, drop the pan while doing another oil change (if you can survive that long), and check things out. If you're not comfortable, take it to some small shop (no stealership, they'll find some ridiculous problem for sure, like "you need a new engine"), and have them do an oil pressure test and maybe a system check. Whoever owned it before must have screwed with something.

 

[Jeff4runner]

Really unlikely too, but, is your oil level good? Oil may be changed, but everyone makes mistakes.

 

[jow]

I relate with checking the oil’s pick-up as Jeff mentioned. A friend’s wife drove a short distance (5-10 mi) one winter with the oil pressure light on. We towed the car to our garage and dropped the oil pan. The oil pickup tube’s screen was restricted with crud that had gotten into the oil pan (possibly from other small jobs on the used car he purchased). The seafoam treatment sounds good also. During my wrenching days, I have seen engines flushed with kerosene oil, transmission fluid for short time vs driving. I feel I used reslon motor treatment "only" and drove for a week to try flushing crud. jow

 

[Pelley]

First off, thanks for the input everyone!! Not sure if the thread subscription tool works good, I got notice of the 1st response and that was it, haha.

Ok on topic. After reading everyone's posts I went ahead and dropped what I call the mini oil pan (small black steal one, not big aluminum one). unfortunately/fortunately the oil pickup was clean. I went ahead and pulled it off and did a good inspection and cleanup with a clean rag. I looked at the bottom of the pan as well. It was clean for the most parts. There were a few tiny metal specks, but nothing to be concerned about. They were not magnetic so I'm sure they were aluminum, not sure if that means anything, haha.

I think my next move is going to replace the oil pressure sensor ($15, so not bad), and put a Toyota oil filter on (ya I had the Fram crap, I live on Edwards AFB and am 30 miles from the auto part store and Fram is what we have on base). Also thinking about changing the oil pump while it's down, if it's not too costy. Then last gunna do the sea foam flush as well. There was a small film of oil on the inside of the engine. Might as well do a full and complete job while I am at it... More to come in the next couple days once I get the parts I need. If anyone has a good link to a sea foam rinse that would be a great help! If not I can search, no biggie either way. Any further input would be appreciated and thanks again!!

 

[Pelley]

Oh ya, I use 5W-30. I live in the high desert, 1500 feet, been around 75 degrees so nothing too crazy. It gets hot in the sumer though. I am no oil expert, maybe I need a diff. Weight

 

[TRD 2.0]

I'm having the same issue, except that when my light started coming on, I went ahead and replaced the pressure sensor and did an oil change. The light was still coming on so I went ahead and replaced my oil pump. When I had it all apart, I checked the internal parts out and it didn't seem like I had excessive wear. There weren't any metal shavings or anything like that in the oil pan, all in all it seemed pretty clean. What's got me puzzled is the fact that the light is still coming on at low RPM's. Anybody have any ideas what could still be causing this?
By the way, it's a 1998 SR5 with the 5VZ-FE engine with 187,000 miles on it.
Thanks in advance!

 

[TRD 2.0]

I'm having the same issue, except that when my light started coming on, I went ahead and replaced the pressure sensor and did an oil change. The light was still coming on so I went ahead and replaced my oil pump. When I had it all apart, I checked the internal parts out and it didn't seem like I had excessive wear. There weren't any metal shavings or anything like that in the oil pan, all in all it seemed pretty clean. What's got me puzzled is the fact that the light is still coming on at low RPM's. Anybody have any ideas what could still be causing this?
By the way, it's a 1998 SR5 with the 5VZ-FE engine with 187,000 miles on it.
Thanks in advance!

 

[99 Problems]

Did you guys figure out your issues?

I'm having the same problem.

 

[alirio]

i am having the same problems with my 2002 4runner with 185.000 k.
bought the car with 135.000 k and it runs smooth. Suddenly oil pressure light is turning on. lifting the valve covers proved that the owner before me skipped a few oil changes. Pulled the oil pan and cleaned the pick-up tube. the problem persist. Has anyone ever found a solution to this problem?

 

[Jtico]

Any one found the solution to this problem? I’m having the same issue

 

[TRD 2.0]

Low oil pressure light

Any one found the solution to this problem? I’m having the same issue

So, I replaced my oil pump a little over 5 years ago, and haven't had any issues with the low oil pressure light coming back on until recently. Everything was going fine and no problems with my 4Runner until about a week ago when that pesky little light started coming back on again. I went back and looked and saw that it has been over 5 years since I replaced my oil pressure sensor as well. So that is what I did today. I replaced the pressure sensor and while I was doing it, I swapped the oil and filter with a genuine Toyota oil filter. I also added some Seafoam to my oil, so I'll see if that won't help clean things up a bit. So far, no light, but I'll see after a couple days of regular driving. Almost 210,000 miles and still going strong!

 

[Jtico]

So, I replaced my oil pump a little over 5 years ago, and haven't had any issues with the low oil pressure light coming back on until recently. Everything was going fine and no problems with my 4Runner until about a week ago when that pesky little light started coming back on again. I went back and looked and saw that it has been over 5 years since I replaced my oil pressure sensor as well. So that is what I did today. I replaced the pressure sensor and while I was doing it, I swapped the oil and filter with a genuine Toyota oil filter. I also added some Seafoam to my oil, so I'll see if that won't help clean things up a bit. So far, no light, but I'll see after a couple days of regular driving. Almost 210,000 miles and still going strong!

Thanks... I didn’t want to replace the pump and wouldn’t fix the issue...