Chrysler Repair: 1999 Chrysler Town & Country Oil light on and engine has oil, engine stopped, oil pressure switch, digital communication system

Question
The Engine oil light came on with the chime. The engine is full of oil. Chime stopped and then noise from engine was herd. It reminded me of valve noise (no oil going up to the values, I thought) then the engine shut down. I am glad the new engines do that instead of the engine locking up. What could be the problem?

Thanks,

Answer
Hi Chris,
The fact that you heard valve noise is indicative that the oil pressure had indeed dropped to such a low point as to cause the hydraulic lifters to begin to soften up and thus the noises. I would suspect that the oil pump failed or its pickup in the oil pan is clogged. You didn't mention which of 4 possible engines you have so I can't be specific about the pump/pickup arrangement. I am unclear whether the engine shut down automatically due to a feedback from the oil pressure switch/chime system (that is possible though I haven't seen that as a fail-safe feature, though it could very well be incorporated into the digital communication system) or if it did so as the result of the valve lifters or (I hope not) some internal damage. It would be appropriate to have the engine examined at a quality shop for oil pressure situation and examination of the reason for the loss of pressure. Please let me know what is learned.
I would certainly not run the engine but rather have the vehicle towed to the shop. You can buy a calibrated gauge and plug it in to the place where the oil sensor is located (next to the oil filter) and try to start the engine and see if you get a reading of at least 6 psi. Let me know which engine you have and I can look into the question of what powers the oil pump specifically.
Roland