QuestionHi, I have a 98 dodge grand caravan 3.0l engine. The oil lamp came on a few days ago and the chime started dinging but only after you have been driving it for 5 min or so and only when you come to a stop. When you accelerate it goes off and the chime stops. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanx!
Paula
AnswerHi Paula,
It may either be that the oil pressure is too low at idle, or that the oil weight is too thin, or that the pressure sensor is inacurate.
The oil pressure is supposed to be at least 10 psi it idle, and 45-75 at 3,000 rpm. That can be measured with a calibrated gauge at the port where the sender is attached (next to the oil filter).
I would not be alarmed about this, it is common with an aging engine and probably will not cause any damage. The pressure does go above the set point of the sender when you accelerate the rpm.
My first step, if you don't want to pay to have the pressure test the done, is to change the oil and in doing so increase the "weight" of the oil to a higher number than is currently in the engine by one step*. Then see if the light issue disappears.
If not, then have pressure measured and decide if the sensor may be inaccurate or there is a need to service the engine. My belief is that the higher weight of oil will solve the light issue and give you a higher oil pressure level.
Roland
*The 'steps' would be 5W-20, 10W-30, 20W-40, 20W-50. So determine what has been used in the past and move up one level.
