Check engine - oil dash light question
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Check engine - oil dash light question
We recently purchased a used 2000 F-150 Supercab 4.2l with 93k miles. My wife called me today to say that the "check engine" light as well as a oil(? Picture of a vial as she described it) light came on today. She drove it home and called. I told her not to drive it until I got home to check oil level and pressures.
My question is does this light come on periodically like some other brands change oil lights, or does it mean that the oil level is dangerously low?
I did a quick search of the forums without much luck.
My question is does this light come on periodically like some other brands change oil lights, or does it mean that the oil level is dangerously low?
I did a quick search of the forums without much luck.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
If the oil light came on, it is from very low oil pressure!!! Not the level. Usually if it is running and the oil light is on( the gauge will be on L too, then you had better make sure that it has oil pressure. Could just be low on oil, a bad sending unit or even worse.
Jimmy
Jimmy
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
I checked the owners manual and it says that the light that came on was the oil pressure and engine temperature light. I checked the oil level it was fine the engine coolant level was good too. Started it up and neither the "check engine" light or the "engine temperature/oil pressure" light was on. Guess I'll just have to keep an eye on it.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Well, keep us posted. It may not do it until the oil is good and warmed up. You might want to drive it around for about 1/2 to really get the oil good and hot and see if it comes back on. If so, you mayhave some internal engine issues.
If it does come back on, I would check the actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge to make sure that it is actually losing pressure.
That light also will come on if the engine is running hot. You really need to see what the gauges do when this happens. If it is and oil pressure issure, the oil pressure gauge will drop to low, if it is temp problem, the temp gauge will go to H.
Since the check engine light came on, Run it buy AutoZone or someone like that in your area and they will scan for the code that made the light come on.
This will tell you where to start looking.
Jimmy
If it does come back on, I would check the actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge to make sure that it is actually losing pressure.
That light also will come on if the engine is running hot. You really need to see what the gauges do when this happens. If it is and oil pressure issure, the oil pressure gauge will drop to low, if it is temp problem, the temp gauge will go to H.
Since the check engine light came on, Run it buy AutoZone or someone like that in your area and they will scan for the code that made the light come on.
This will tell you where to start looking.
Jimmy
