glassetcher

So I took a trip from Waukesha to Geen Bay today (about 130 mi), and about half way there, while crusiing with some other traffic at about 75 to 80, the oil level light lights up on the dash. After I restarted my heart, I notice the oil pressure gauge looked normal. Then I remembered that I had checked the oil level last night and all was well. A few seconds later the light went off. This happened a couple times before I came to the next exit. Anyway, I pulled off and checked the oil level - it looked OK. So I continued on my trip. The light came on a number of times again, but I figured as long at the oil pressure gauge looked normal, I wouldn't worry about it. (too much!!!)

On the way back home, I noticed that if I kept it below 75, the light didn't come on. If I started cruising 75 or more, the oil light would intermittently come on. Go figure!

So, my ? is, has anyone experienced this problem?

Thanks!!
John

Zoom, Zoom

Elara

I'll bet almost anything you need the new oil pan, looking at when your car was built. I had the exact same problem- if oil was below the 3/4 mark, at between 75-80 mph or so, the oil light would come on. If I slowed down, it went off. Drove me nuts for a few months because the damn dealership wouldn't believe me- I kept getting "oh, the oil was low, blah blah blah," even though I'd check everytime it happened and it never was. What finally took care of it was when I sat down my service consultant, and said "look, I've documented this, there's a TSB, something is wrong. Fix it now." And suddenly they found the TSB (it's on the Rosenthal page, if you want to go look) about it.

expo1

Here is the link http://www.finishlineperformance.com...13-04-1341.pdf
Based on your build date I would say that's the issue. Be sure the dealer has the part in stock BEFORE you drop the car off of it will take an extra day. When it happened to me I told them that the TSB applied to me and that I was dropping it off for the new pan. I drop the car off then get a call late that day " you need a new oil pan, we will have it sent over night". I new that before I dropped the car off!!

Aseras

mine does the EXACT same thing.

kmg1186

I thought the oil pressure gauge was a dummy gauge and didn't actually do anything.

???

Aseras

it's almost an all or nothing gauge. it's not sensitive enough and it goes from ok to oh **** instantly generally too late to do much help.

TheColonel

I have the same problem. Mazda told me they can't do anything about it if they don't see it. Also, they told me that the light and the gauge are controlled by the same sensor so one should not be normal if they other is not. They basically told me "We can't fix it" and I've brought it in multiple times. I'm thinking it's time to start reading the lemon law and seeing if I can get a new car... lol

TheColonel

Intersting, my car is about 900 cars outside of the end of the VIN range in the TSB yet I expierience the same symptom. The only difference is that I've never waited to see if ti goes off by itself. I've always pulled over and checked the oil.

terbeaux

I had mine replaced about 4 months ago. The dealer pulled up the TSB, told me they'd order the pan and call when it arrived. They called about 4 days later and replaced it in one day.
Now just the other day I got to experience the "hot weather causes sun visor to break syndrome". No TSB on that one yet although its a common problem. We'll see how the dealer responds to this one...

glassetcher

For those of you that have had this TSB done, did they change the oil filter at the same time? (they obviously have to change the oil since they replace the oil pan and sensor)

Seems like a good way to get my next oil change.

Zoom, Zoom

alcimedes

Whew, thought I was going crazy until I saw this thread. Had the same thing happen. Will have to drop it off at the dealership soon to get it taken care of.

Jackallll

I just had the same thing happen to me yesterday for the first time. I was driving up to Dartmouth and the long uphill climbs necessitated maintaining about 4500rpms for an extended period of time. I had just added oil the night before (it was 1/2-3/4 on the fill line) so I knew there was enough oil. Def scared me the first time I saw that light. But I knew the TSB existed so I wasn't worried that catastrophic failure was imminent. Each time I just slowed down and it went off.

I have an early build that fits the vin range for the TSB. I called up the dealer today and they said that they'd need to diagnose the problem before they order a part. Fair enough I guess. He also said that if the oil pan does indeed have to be replaced then they'd need the car for more than a day.

TownDrunk

Ah... the ole oil pan baffle problem. After I had mine replaced a long, long time ago, I was cruising down the 5 south and the stupid light came back on again. I took it back (it was a few months after the pan was replaced), and it turns out the sending unit wire clip thing had become detached (mechanic flubbed the install). They fixed it, and it's been fine since.

MI_FamilyMan

I just had this happen to me the other day for the very first time. I don't do a lot of highway driving. It freaked me out pretty good, but I had heard about this issue before, and my pressure was good so I decided to sweat it out. Sure enough, once my speed dropped it went off.
I don't remember ever seeing an explanation anywhere -- what is the cause of this problem? What is it about the oil pan design that would make the light go on only between 4,500-4,800 RPM?
Now I have to decide whether I will go through the trouble of having it replaced. I'm assuming it's not a functional issue?

expo1

Since the repair is free why not get it done? Mine was done over a year ago. It only happened when down about 1/2 Qt. I guess at that level & RPM the old pan's design let oil pool in an area of the pan away from the sensor? The only part that was a pain is that most dealers will not order the new pan without looking at the car first. So a one-day job becomes a 2-day job.

Jackallll

Exactly. My dealer said over the phone that the pan doesn't necessarily need to be replaced. It's quite obvious to me that it does. It's also a two-day job they probably dont feel like doing unless it's necessary.

glassetcher

When I took mine in, the mechanic said there is an updated TSB that requires them to update to the latest flash to correct the problem. Only if that doesn't work would they be able to do a parts replacement. (and I think he is VERY good with RX-8s from a 30 minute+ conversation about a lot of different topics - I tend to trust him - at leat for the time being) I haven't been able to test the fix with a prolonged 75+ mph run to verify.

Zoom, Zoom!

alcimedes

I had the oil problem, I brought my car in and had it flashed, rather than having them replace the oil pan. Since then I've never had a problem, and I've done some similar driving, although not as long as what I was doing before. If it happens again, I'll post here, but so far it seems fixed.