Yesterday, I commented on oil level. My oil light had came on when I first started my truck, (-6 degrees outside,) and didn't go off when I slightly reved the engine. I checked the oil dip stick and found it was down to the add mark so I added 1 qt. I restarted the engine and the light came on and then went out.
Yesterday I went to go home from work 33 degrees outside and the oil light came on and the pressure gauge went to low, then the light went out and the gauge went back up. It did this a few times as I slightly reved the engine but not every time. As the engine warmed, (about one mile or less) it quit happining. I checked the oil level and it was all the way full.
Does anyone have an idea as to whats going on? glc, said the light is oil level not pressure.
Thanks for your thoughts in advance
Wayne

 

Sending unit in the gauge could be bad. Mine does it every now and then. The garage checked it said the older style fords had this happen.

 

This is the closest description to what is also happening on mine. It only happens when the temperature is below 40 degrees. once the engine warms up it goes up, then down then eventually it stays up.

Assuming it is the pressure switch next to the filter like i read, is this something that could hurt the engine? Is the engine still getting oil?

 

R U using the right grade oil?

 

There was a TSB for this. It is the sensor cold soak problem. Replace the sensor. It is less than 20 bucks. I got mine for 7.

 

Thanks. I use the oil that is recommended 10/30 or 5/30 whatever it is...

will this sensor cause any damage beside that it might not alert me to a real problem with the oil pump?

 

5w20??

 

Its your sensor. My 2000 Expedition did this same thing only when it was cold out. The light would turn on and off, and the gauge would burry itself at low. Then right when the light turned off, the gauge went back to normal. Ford Said It shouldn't do that even when it is cold out, so when it does, its bad.

 

Mine just did the samething this morning(17 degrees outside). Any one tell me the location of the sending unit. 2001 f150 with the 4.6. Thanks in advance.

 

Next to the oil filter.

 

The switch is pressure, not quantity. Quantity may affect pressure if it gets low enough, but if it was still on the stick that's not enough to cause a pressure light alone...what every body else said also.