Oil Warning Lamp

[oz kirby]

Hi all, this morning on my is200 the oil warning light stayed on for about a mile and then went off. It did the same when I came home from work. Checked the oil level which is fine. Anyone got any ideas ??

[steve2006]

It's unusual to have the oil pressure light come on with a cold engine as the oil is thicker when cold and thinner when hot so that is normally when the pressure falls.

I take it the oil/filter service is up to date and you are using the correct type/grade of oil and preferably an OEM filter.

Was the car on level ground when you checked the level?

What is your current mileage?

It could be a faulty sender unit or defective wiring to it, may be an idea to actually check the pressure with an oil pressure gauge or ask your local garage to check it for you.

[ColinBarber]

it is either a faulty pressure sender unit/wiring or you actually have low oil pressure. I would get it checked out, will only take a garage a few minutes to check the oil pressure.

For the IS200 it should be 7.3 psi or higher at idle and between 46 - 64 psi at 3,000 rpm.

Edited July 9, 2013 by ColinBarber

[oz kirby]

I use magnatec 5W-30 A1 fully synthetic oil (don't think this is the correct oil) and a filter form Camberley autos, the car was level. Had the car 9 years and never had any problems. always service by myself every 12 months. just wondered if the hot weather has something to do with it. I will take it to a garage and get the pressure checked.

[ColinBarber]

that oil is fine.

Some of the non OEM filters don't have an anti-drain valve in them and therefore pressure isn't built up as fast but it should only take a few seconds at most for the light to go out.

[oz kirby]

Got the car booked in for a oil pressure check tomorrow.