Low oil pressure light

[MarkM]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to run this past the members. I've been reading the threads on this topic, and just want to confirm what I am seeing as it relates to temperature readings.

I've had the low oil pressure light come on a few times recently. It happens when I am driving on a long sustained hill. I first thought it was for temperature, as I was watching the coolant temp come up when the light would come on.

It appears it has more to do with the level based on what I am reading. I checked the dipstick, and it's slightly above full on a level parking spot. I read that the sensor is just in front of the dipstick tube.

Would I be correct in my thinking that the light is coming on due to the pooling of the oil in the back of the pan while driving up the long grade at 2500-3500 rpms and it having nothing to due with temps?

With air temps above 90, my coolant temp is hitting 205-210 or so and then drops after the climb.

 

[Tools R Us]

If you're referring to the oil level light, it's exactly that, don't see how it would be affected by a street hill. They are known to be wonky, the sensor sticking and/or wiring/connection problems.

In relatively cool/humid temps like that, shouldn't be seeing those coolant temps, radiator and/or fan clutch problem?

 

[MarkM]

I thought the manual referred to it as a low pressure, but everyone on here calls it a low level. The oil can image with ripples under it is the light I am referring to. I guess I will just keep an eye on it.

I replaced the fan a few months ago, along with the thermostat that was tested to work at 182 degrees in hot water. I did the rear heater bypass due to the corroded/weeping lines, and filled with Toyota Red coolant. Checked coolant level and I am full.

My ultra gauge normally shows about 185 degrees, but with the hot temps in the mid 90s, high humidity, and running 65-75 mph going up climbs of a mile or more in length, I see the temp come up towards the tops of the climb. I've only seen it at 205 yesterday, but it was loaded with gear and freakin' hot out!

 

[jonheld]

I thought the manual referred to it as a low pressure, but everyone on here calls it a low level. The oil can image with ripples under it is the light I am referring to. I guess I will just keep an eye on it.

I replaced the fan a few months ago, along with the thermostat that was tested to work at 182 degrees in hot water. I did the rear heater bypass due to the corroded/weeping lines, and filled with Toyota Red coolant. Checked coolant level and I am full.

My ultra gauge normally shows about 185 degrees, but with the hot temps in the mid 90s, high humidity, and running 65-75 mph going up climbs of a mile or more in length, I see the temp come up towards the tops of the climb. I've only seen it at 205 yesterday, but it was loaded with gear and freakin' hot out!

205 is not hot IMO and I would expect to see those temps in the situations you describe. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong here, but the OEM thermostat fully opens at 197F or so.
FYI, the ECU will shut down the AC around 220F to reduce heat load.

 

[team420]

It's a low level indicator. When u go up a hill, the oil in your pan flows to the back, the sensor dosent see the oil, so it lights up the bulb. Low oil pressure would be indicated by a red light next to the oil pressure guage.

 

[MarkM]

205 is not hot IMO and I would expect to see those temps in the situations you describe. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong here, but the OEM thermostat fully opens at 197F or so.
FYI, the ECU will shut down the AC around 220F to reduce heat load.

That's what I was thinking, and FYI, I did not replace with a OEM t-stat. If I have any temperature issues I will change out.

And you know what it feels like right now in NJ!

 

[MarkM]

It's a low level indicator. When u go up a hill, the oil in your pan flows to the back, the sensor dosent see the oil, so it lights up the bulb. Low oil pressure would be indicated by a red light next to the oil pressure guage.

That's what I was thinking. Just trying to be proactive and make sure I keep my DD going. Currently chasing a vibe that I will try and get into next weekend, and don't need to be worrying about anything else!

Thanks

 

[Rivman1243]

I haven't heard or seen anything about a low oil pressure light anywhere on a 80 series

 

[MarkM]

I haven't heard or seen anything about a low oil pressure light anywhere on a 80 series

Curtis,

I don't have an owners manual, but when I went to the Toyota website and pulled one up that is what was listed:

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM60693U/pdf/omsource/1996om/96landom/sect1/11.pdf#page5

So that is why I used that term

 

[Rivman1243]

That's interesting! I'm gonna have to go look at my owners manual now

 

[Tools R Us]

...
And you know what it feels like right now in NJ!

What it feels like to people has nothing to do with motor cooling, 90 degrees is not hot, kinda warmish.

 

[MarkM]

What it feels like to people has nothing to do with motor cooling, 90 degrees is not hot, kinda warmish.

Understood. Just pointing out that mid to upper 90's around here with blacktop is about 105-115 air temp on the highways.

And the water temps didn't start to come up prior to the recent heat.

 

[flintknapper]

If you're referring to the oil level light, it's exactly that, don't see how it would be affected by a street hill. They are known to be wonky, the sensor sticking and/or wiring/connection problems.

Mine does the same thing once in a while for no apparent reason. I ALWAYS have plenty of oil in the Cruiser. It will do it on a flat highway, doesn't need to going up or down hill. If I pull the wheel one direction or the other (slosh the oil in the pan) it goes out immediately.

Worries my wife to death. Guess I'll look at replacing the sensor one of these days.

 

[Rifleman]

Mark, just to let you know that while your driving your truck down the highway most of the oil is actuality not in your pan. Most of the oil is being circulated throughout your engine, and only about 2 QT's remain in the pan. First thing first, get your factory service manual out, and check that the Sensor is working correctly. Now if your sensor checks out ,I've seen some crazy things with high mileage engines that were poorly maintained (lack of oil and filter changes) that had lots of sludge build up inside them. With all that sludge, it plugged up the oil returns, causing most of the oil to remain in the top end of the engine, resulting in low oil levels in the pan.

 

[Rifleman]

What it feels like to people has nothing to do with motor cooling, 90 degrees is not hot, kinda warmish.

Tools R Us, that's right, 90 degrees is only warmish, not like the 119 degrees you and i had a few weeks back in Arizona, now that's HOT!!!

 

[team420]

Mark, just to let you know that while your driving your truck down the highway most of the oil is actuality not in your pan. Most of the oil is being circulated throughout your engine, and only about 2 QT's remain in the pan. First thing first, get your factory service manual out, and check that the Sensor is working correctly. Now if your sensor checks out ,I've seen some crazy things with high mileage engines that were poorly maintained (lack of oil and filter changes) that had lots of sludge build up inside them. With all that sludge, it plugged up the oil returns, causing most of the oil to remain in the top end of the engine, resulting in low oil levels in the pan.

This is a good point, and something I've seen before as well