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[digital69]

I was driving home from work and noticed the engine oil alert indicator on the dashboard flickering. I removed my leg on the gas pedal and it stopped and when I accelerate, it starts flickering. And since it was only a month ago I changed the lube oil, I checked the oil level and it was ok but on the precautionary side I still added a litre of oil. This did not eliminate the flickering. Though I still did drive it 4KM to my home.
When I start the engine, as long as I did not press the gas pedal to raise the engine rpm, the oil alert will not flicker.
Pls what is causing this and how can I get it sorted out.
Thanks        -Digital

[alank46]

This is a duplicate post.

[Elite Pete]

I think I would start by droping the sump and checking/cleaning the oil pick up/strainer

[dbdb]

If you mean the 'oil can with drip' indicator it's oil pressure not level.  The level warning appears on the digital Multi Information Display.  If you have really low oil level both will come on.  If the oil can /drip stays lit up you should stop the car pretty soon.

If you put it into neutral and rev does it come on or go out?  (Accelerating (or braking) while in gear and in motion will move the oil around and confuse the issue) .  If it lights up intermittently only when idling and hot that is OK (though I wouldn't be happy to see it). 

[digital69]

@dbdb, thanks 4 ur response.
The oil alert will not flicker when the engine is idling, or the gear engaged without pushing the gas pedal to rave the engine or accelerate but once you push the gas pedal down to accelerate or already on motion accelerating with ur leg on the gas pedal, the oil alert will be flickering.

[tigers_gonads]

As Pete says, first thing to do is drop the sump and clean the oil pickup strainer.
Once you know you the oil can get up there and around the engine, you can start to look at other things 
What's the oil history like ?

[dbdb]

that is odd normally revving the engine in neutral will increase oil pressure, so on a knackered engine the pressure warning light would be on at idle and off when revved.  I'm assuming you are revving while not in motion and in neutral.  Only think I can think of is a blocked oil pickup or pathway so yes drop the sump, any chance anything got in when you changed the oil and filter? Was the filter OK?  Oil correct spec and not overfilled?

[kevinp58]

Oil presure switch going,  but as pete says check the strainer too

[doz]

Am I reading this right? Off at idle and on once rev'd? If it is I'd bethinking oil pressure relief valve

[dbug]

+1 - pressure relief valve

[Kevin Wood]

Oil presure switch going,  but as pete says check the strainer too

Yep, a possibility. I'd be putting a proper pressure gauge on it ASAP to see if the oil pressure is really that low.

If it's getting low enough to put the light on and the switch is proven to be OK, needless to say don't drive it!

Relief valve, clogged strainer or perhaps crushed / blocked oil filter?

Is there any bottom end noise?

[digital69]

Thanks all, hope to drop the Sump over the weekend and check it out.
@tiger_gonads, changed oil and filter about 3 months ago. Though car not frequently used.
@dbdb, oil did gauge correctly.
@Kevinp58, where is the oil pressure switch located.
@Kevin Wood, Is the relief valve different from oil pressure switch? And if different, where is it located.

[Kevin Wood]

@Kevinp58, where is the oil pressure switch located.

As you look at the front of the engine it's just to the left of the crank pulley. It protrudes from the oil pump casting with an electrical connector on the end.

@Kevin Wood, Is the relief valve different from oil pressure switch? And if different, where is it located.

Yes. It's only accessible with the cam belt cover and, possibly, backplate removed. It's to the right of the crank pulley under a plug, again in the oil pump casting.

[kevinp58]

@Kevinp58, where is the oil pressure switch located.

As you look at the front of the engine it's just to the left of the crank pulley. It protrudes from the oil pump casting with an electrical connector on the end.

@Kevin Wood, Is the relief valve different from oil pressure switch? And if different, where is it located.

Yes. It's only accessible with the cam belt cover and, possibly, backplate removed. It's to the right of the crank pulley under a plug, again in the oil pump casting.

 

[adey2]

any chance the wire could of been worn through and earthing out as engine loaded up