My car says it's low on oil whenever its idling, not when it's driving, why?

Question

Every time I stop at a red light the oil light goes on and says that I am low on oil. However, when I accelerate the light goes off again.

It doesn't happen, when I am driving, only when stopping the car the the engine running. Usually after I have been driving the car for 15 minutes. It even happens right after oil changes. There is enough oil in the car.

It's a Chrysler Cirrus LXi '99.

Thanks

Answer 1

its low oil pressure,not the oil level...that's one light you don't want on when the engines running..as you drive the oil preasure raises causing the light to go out...check oil level,if its ok the either your sender unit is faulty/your pump is shafted or the oil pickup in the sump is blocked...you need it sorted asap or it will sieze

Answer 2

The gage that drops down when you stop is not how much oil you have but your oil pressure. Tell a mechanic what happens when you stop they can help better than me.

Answer 3

before you get too deep into the problem change the oil sending unit, it sends the signal to your gauge.

Answer 4

your idle is set too low.

Answer 5

when your engine has cooled after you have turned off your car for a while, check your engine oil level.

It sounds like you're low on oil.  When you are driving, oil is hotter and therefore pressure is higher and it thinks that you have more oil than you actually do.

Check it, that could be the problem!!! Once you fill it up and the problem persists, you should take it to a mechanic, because it means you probably have a leak somewhere

Answer 6

I am going to assume that you change your oil filter at prescribed times.  Either idle speed is too low, oil is too thin, or engine bearings are worn out(engine has many miles on it), or oil pump is wore out.

   Nothing wrong with the sending unit(its working and telling you the oil pressure is low).

Take to a shop, let a mechanic check.

It may be just as simple as upping the idle a snippet, or changing to a heavier oil.

   Your engine may be running in the "hot" range which thins out the oil lowering the pressure.

Answer 7

it,s either a bad sending unit or a bad bearing.

Answer 8

I would guess either the pump or the bearings. one more thought... if this has the 2.7L v6, then the engine is known for this. It will die before long. Design problems plagued this with small oil passages and the engine gets starved of oil. If it is the 2.7L, i would just get rid of it by any means.

Answer 9

Your oil pump may be failing. Might want to take it to a mechanic and get it checked before it does some damage.