3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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The oil light flickers when at a idle (sometimes). While running, I removed the oil cap and there is oil in pumping to the valves. I have removed and cleaned the oil pump screen and changed the oil pressure sensor. But the light still flickers maybe at idle. I am out of ideas.
You'll have to check the oil pressure with a gauge. It should read around 10psi warm at idle and should increase about 10psi with every 1000 rpm increase. These are general numbers from when I ran a gauge to monitor my 5S-FE.
You can tap into the engine at the oil pressure sending unit point with a sending unit for the gauge you buy. Make sure to diagnose this before you potentially seize up your engine.
Goodluck!
OP,
In addition to the possibilities noted previously, sometimes it is something as simple as a loose connection at the sending unit or the sending unit itself. It is not unknown for them to exhibit false readings after a time.
The oil pressure at idle was reading 0, replaced the oil pump (pain in the backside), but the oil light has not come back on. I still need to get the oil pressure reading...
After 2 days of driving the oil light started flickering again, only at idle and only sometimes when the engine is under more load. I will be testing the pressure on Sat.
But what else could it be if the oil pressure still reads 0 at idle?
If there is pressure I plan to get another pressure sensor, but this time from the dealership...
Maybe it's flickering because there's a frayed wire or loose conection to the light. Your first inspection should have been to install a mechanical gauge and test the actual pressure.
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1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
Ditto the above recommendation first - check the pressure with a mechanical gauge.
If it's low and you've checked the oil pump, are you using the correct weight oil? I know on some cars (VW's especially) if the oil isn't heavy enough (higher vistosity number = heavier oil) you get the flickering oil light and low oil pressure when the car's hot at idle. Check and use factory-recommended oil, or if it's a 5w-30 use instead a 10W30. DOn't go too heavy or you won't get good cold-start lubrication.
A bit late to the party, but if you've replaced the oil pump properly, and using an accurate mechanical gauge shows 0psi oil pressure at idle, you've got bad bearings. Using a higher viscosity oil may temporarily boost oil pressure enough that the light goes out, but the damage is already done, and will continue to get worse at an accelerated pace.
If it were my car, and I knew the oil pump was good, but the rod bearings were bad, I'd put some 20w50 oil in the car and run it until it dies, but be ready for this to happen.
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01 BMW 330Ci - 5spd / 93 BMW 525i 5spd-SOLD/ 98 Camry LE
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