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2001 Olds Alero, mystery oil light
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DanDude7000
New User
Aug 16, 2010, 12:20 PM
Post #1 of 6
(4601 views)
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2001 Olds Alero, mystery oil light
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Hey Guys,
2001 Oldsmobile Alero V6 coupe, 100k miles.
Last night I was driving back from a restaurant that is just a couple blocks from my house. Just before I got home the red oil warning lamp lit up (the oil-can one, not the 'low oil' one). The car was running fine and did not seem to be overheating. I pulled into my driveway and shut it off. I last changed the oil (lube shop) just about 3k miles ago.
This morning I checked the oil- the level is fine, light/medium brown. I started it up- no warning light. I drove around the block- no warning light or signs of overheating.
I don't know what to do at this point. Everything seems to be fine now, but I'm scared to drive it knowing that whatever caused the prior warning didn't magically fix itself. Could it have been a temporarily clogged oil filter? Faulty warning sensor?
I should mention, about 10k miles ago it was leaking coolant- ended up having the intake manifold gasket replaced. Haven't had any troubles since.
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 16, 2010, 12:29 PM
Post #2 of 6
(4598 views)
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Re: 2001 Olds Alero, mystery oil light
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That is a very serious warning light. It indicates insufficient oil pressure to operate the engine and it shouldn't be driven that way at all. It could be a faulty sensor but the best way to find out is to just replace it.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DanDude7000
New User
Aug 16, 2010, 12:43 PM
Post #3 of 6
(4594 views)
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Re: 2001 Olds Alero, mystery oil light
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Thanks for the help!
Just for clarification, the warning light has not lit up again since that first time. Do you think I should avoid driving it even though the light is not currently on?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 16, 2010, 12:47 PM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: 2001 Olds Alero, mystery oil light
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No, not unless it comes on again which it likely will. You might want to go ahead and change the sender now. It may prevent it from coming back on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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DanDude7000
New User
Aug 16, 2010, 12:57 PM
Post #5 of 6
(4585 views)
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Re: 2001 Olds Alero, mystery oil light
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Cool, will do.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Aug 16, 2010, 4:02 PM
Post #6 of 6
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Re: 2001 Olds Alero, mystery oil light
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Just FYI - RED warnings mean biz! Shut car OFF! Whether false alarm or not this means instant attention. Check OP manually if needed but if it's intermittent may not show a real problem right then. Pay attention! Whole engine is a stake!
T
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