Cadillac Repair: 1996 Cadillac Seville SLS Northstar Low Oil Light, oil pressure switch, transmission fluid change

Question
I have a 1996 Seville SLS with 63000 miles. I noticed that the oil pressure light was flickering and my computer indicated 39% oil life left. At the same time the service transmission light and service engine soon lights came on. Took the car to a oil change store and the mechanic checked all the fluids. He also ran a computer check on the car. He indicated the transmission light was on because i was close to the 65000 mile service. After he change the oil I was driving home, when the stop engine bells and whistles started. I check the oil level and everything seems ok. Any suggestings? I've heard this year has had a problem with the oil pressure switch. Just trying to get an idea before going to a shop. I'm female and don't need to be taken to the cleaners.
Thanks,

Answer
Hi Kathy,

      No one likes to be taken to the cleaners. Unfortunately uninformed people do spend more for vehicle maintenance because they just don't know any differant.

      On your Caddy they do have 2 different sensors...an oil level sensor and an oil pressure sensor...and both do go bad. Checking the oil level was a good first thing to do. Since the trans and check engine lights turned on at the same time it just could be trying to get your attention that the transmission fluid change is recommended and getting the codes read would help to prove that. AutoZone will scan codes for free in hopes you will buy their parts but sometimes the part isn't the problem. It might be a wire or connector issue. So you could have them scan for codes and then tell me what they are before buying any parts and replacing them and I could tell you what you need to do.

    The engine oil life and transmission oil life indexes are designed for people that don't know when to change their fluids so the engineers made a formula that takes in mileage, vehicle speed and distances traveled to tell the owner when a change is recommended.

    In your case what I would do is buy an oil pressure sender and have someone you know...family member that is handy...replace it for you. It is located near the oil filter and once the car cools off and with it safely supported on ramps or jackstands it should be easy to replace. Then in the next day of driveling the oil pressure light flickers/turns on again take the car to your mechanic and have them test the oil pressure. If you had any work done to the engine that involved removing the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley then the bolt might not be tight enough and your engine really could have low oil pressure and will need to have the bolt tightened ASAP before the engine gets damaged.

      On a side note...since you are the owner of the Caddy and schedule all the service work it might be a good idea to have a male person older that say 30 go with you so that the service advisor can think that he will know about cars and then won't try to take advantage of you even if he doesn't know as much as you. But of course you are the primary person that does the talking. Also if they try to push a service on you like fluid flushes or such that you don't feel that you need then just say thanks but no thanks to the extras unless its something like worn brake pads that they can show you. That way you can consult this forum, someone knowledgeable that you know or look in the owners manual and see if that service is required and when. Then if you still want to go ahead then reschedule to have it done.

      Let me know if I can be anymore help. Bill