Oil lamp quick flash on expressway
 

Hi guys, I searched around a bit and wasn't able to synthesize a satisfactory answer so here goes:

I was on the freeway yesterday for about an hour and a half as part of a longish drive. I was crusing at around 85-90 most of the way with the ac on. The oil lamp came on once for just a second, I backed off down to about 65 miles per hour and it went off before I was even done slowing down. As a precaution, I got off the freeway at the next exit pulled over and checked my oil after waiting for 5 mins. The oil level was about two thirds full on my dip stick, which should be fine. I topped it up slowly and carefully getting it to exactly full. I continued on my way for another 45 mins of highway driving, again ac on. The lamp never appeared again. Unfortunately I don't have a real set of gauges in the car yet, so I can't attest to the actual oil pressure, temp or water temp of the car. The factory temp gauge was reading normally, but I know that doesn't mean much.

Also, after I received my last warranty service, I've noticed a thin film of oil all over the plastic under the hood. I thought it might be related to the venthilation tsb, but that was done previously with out this symptom. The car hasn't been requiring any more oil than usual, so its possible its just the result of a spill and quick wipe up in the service dept. I thought I would mention it though in case anyone has experienced something similar.

Thoughts and insights are always apreciated.

-Thank you

What year is your car? The early production units had a design flaw in the oilpan baffles which would lead to false warning light. It is one of the early TSBs.

Dealer....
 

Yes, that's exactly the symptoms (been there, T-shirt aquired) of the service bulletin Nubo referred to - 85mph, light comes on, but level seems OK.

The dealer should get you the updated pan and sensor.

S

What do you mean by *thin film of oil all over the plastic under the hood* ?

Dont believe the Factory temp gauge tells u. IF I were you, Im going to make sure I did the oil pan TSB like Nubo said. (Im planning to install some *real* gauges to my car soon)

Looking at your other posts you did get a 2004. Here is a link to that early TSB
If your 8 is in that range have the dealer order the pan and then take your 8 in or else they will keep your car an extra day while they order the part you already know you need. You should also have them check if all the recalls were done. If the prior owner skipped this easy TSB who knows what else they skipped. I would even think about getting a baseline compression check. I think the last owner might not have mantained the car well.

Thanks for the replies guys. It happened again tonight for the first time in awhile and I thought I would check in on this thread as I stopped watching it before anyone posted! I was unaware that my question had been answered.

My car is in fact, an 04, and it is in need of this service (checked the history, its never had it). It will be visiting the dealer shortly.

In addition to that warning, I had my escort 8500 x50 tell me it "needs service" too! Doh!

i just had this pop up yesterday. i have an 06. I was on cruise control, 65-70ish (around 3600 RPM in 6th), and the light came on. i had JUST checked the oil level a few days ago, and it was perfect. The light went away on its own before i could even pull over to check the level. Same thing happened this morning on the way to work. Car wasnt even warmed up yet, and BOOM! got the red Aladdin lamp :icon_no2: I turned it off, checked the level, and no further lights the rest of the trip.

I will have this serviced along with my squeaky clutch, but i was wondering if the faulty reading can do anything detrimental to the engine before it gets fixed?