Last updated on August 1st, 2023 at 07:33 am
The worst thing that could ever happen to a vehicle is a damaged engine. There are so many things that could damage the engine of a car. One of the major causes is the low oil pressure which is one trigger for Oil light coming on and off but if oil is full and you notice this, then there are other reasons. This is the reason we will discuss here why Oil light comes on and off but oil is full and many other oil-related issues.
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The motor oil is responsible for lubricating every component of an engine. It lets the components work well and move without any friction.
If the oil level is low, the components will not be able to move freely. There would be friction and this will cause overheating which will eventually destroy the engine.
The last thing you want is to destroy the engine of your car over something that is completely avoidable.
There are different symptoms that low oil pressure will show before it eventually destroys your engine.
Once your vehicle starts experiencing a low oil level, the oil pressure light on your dashboard will come on.
The light is a warning light that can only get triggered if there is an issue with the oil pressure. It is advisable to stop driving immediately and shut off your engine once you notice this light.
This is because if the problem is a major one, driving your vehicle in that current state will lead to engine damage. However, there are also instances where the light will come on while the oil.
This is what this post is going to offer significant explanations for.
Why will oil light comes on and off but oil is full?
The oil light can be triggered due to many reasons. There are several instances where the low oil pressure light will come on even though the oil is full. Some of these are:
1. Contaminated Oil
A reason why the oil light will come on even though the oil is full is if the oil has gotten dirty. There are different things that could contaminate motor oil.
It could be dust, debris, or just dirt which will disturb the oil from flowing freely. The oil can pick up these contaminants as it runs through the engine.
This will trigger the oil light and it will illuminate on the dashboard. Always ensure you examine your oil using the dipstick.
If it is clean, the oil should be transparent with an amber color. However, if the oil is very black, thick with a foul smell, then it needs to be changed.
2. Faulty oil pump
The oil pump is the component that circulates oil to every moving part of the engine. A faulty pump can cause overheating and noisy engines. It will also trigger the oil light even if the oil is full. This is because the oil will be unable to circulate and the engine components will experience friction which will lead to engine damage. A faulty oil pump will need urgent replacement.
3. Damaged oil pressure sensor
The sensor is a plug that monitors the pressure of the oil and sends a notification once it drops below a level. However, it can also get faulty just like every other vehicle component.
When the oil pressure gets damaged, it will also trigger the oil light even if the oil is full.
To know whether the sensor is faulty or not, it needs to be removed using a sensor socket and checked. The only person that can do that is a professional mechanic.
4. Leaking oil
If your oil is full and you notice the oil light coming on, then you could have a leak somewhere in the car. You do not need to be an expert to check whether your vehicle oil is leaking or not.
What you have to do to check is to park your vehicle on a surface for some hours and then check underneath for oil puddles.
Another way to check is to top your oil to its full mark and then ensure the oil light is turned off. Start driving the car and if there is a leak, the light will come on again.
If your vehicle has a leak, you will notice the burnt smell when in the car. Another symptom is smoking coming out of the engine. Once you confirm the oil is leaking, take the vehicle in for repairs.
The low oil pressure light coming on does not mean your oil level is low. It could be that the oil is dirty, leaking or the pump/sensor is faulty and needs to be replaced.
What does the oil light look like?
The oil light is on the dashboard of every car and it appears like a lamp with oil dripping from it.
Once there is a low oil pressure, the light can be orange or red color depending on the type of car you are using.
When you notice this light, you need to take it seriously and if it is a minor reason like low oil, you can add oil yourself. However, if it is a serious reason, then take the car in for a full diagnosis.
Can you drive a car with low oil pressure?
Yes, you can drive your car even if you have low oil pressure. However, it is not advisable to do this because it could lead to a more serious issue and cause your engine to go bad.
Driving your car when you have low oil pressure is dangerous and can cause friction among the components of the engine which will cause overheating. The end result is engine damage which will cost a fortune to repair.
The thing is a low oil pressure problem does not require a fortune to be fixed but let if you ignore it, then could lead to an expensive issue.
Usually, the component normally will go bad or get faulty, at the early stage which will indicate low oil pressure light on your car dashboard is something you can quickly replace. Even if the problem is an oil leak or dirty oil, you can quickly fix this.
So, if you notice you have low oil pressure, the next step is to stop driving immediately and tow the car to an auto repair shop.
Conclusion
There are instances where the oil light will come on and then go off even if the light is full. There might be issues with one or more components of the engine. What you need is a diagnosis from a mechanic and then an urgent solution.
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Hi dear, my name is Jeffery Ekweghi, and I am a certified mechanic and autobody parts technician. I created this site to share my expertise and experience with car lovers looking to resolve their car-related issues. I am certified in private cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. I have worked as a mechanic since 2015 and have experience in vehicle brands like Subaru, Jeep, Toyota, TATA, BMW, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Kia, TVs, and Others; however, I primarily specialize in Toyota vehicles.
