[nws17]

Hi everyone!
Just a quick question; My 98' Intrepid has 82,000 miles on it, and lately I've had the oil dummy light come on after the motor warms up, and when the engine RPM are around 600-800, not under acceleration. Oil level was 1 quart down, and was topped off. Now the light comes on around 1600-1800 RPM, still not under acceleration. There is a slight leak near the pan as well. The engine blows no smoke, and coolant and oil are fine(Amsoil synthetic oil). No other indicators lights are present. Should I be thinking sending unit or worry about the pump? Any similar experiences with this on the 2.7 motor would be appreciated!

 

[nws17]

Well I had my mechanic check the pressure, 40 cold and 30 after warmup at idle. I picked up a new sending unit and had that installed, funny thing is on the way home, same thing at 600 RPM in drive, light flickers on. That was yesterday and today no sign of it. Occasionally the dimmer on the dash lights decides to flicker out for a second, like twice in two years, now I'm thinking something in the dash. I drive 35 miles a day to work all highway but no way can I afford a new pump right now. Caught between a rock and a hardplace ;-)
Thanks for the responses!

 

[nws17]

The "sending unit" is the switch on the engine block which sends a signal to the dummy light on the dash is the oil pressure is low, cost me $10 from the dealer. Seems only in drive and at a stop if the RPM hit600 or less the light flutters. I am leaning towards a possible bad contact in the dash, aside from the dash light issue the other issue that sometimes shows up is if I leave the heat on and shut the car off, when its' restarted the AC is enabled and I have to push the button to shut it off. Dashboard phantoms?????

 

[nws17]

The oil light only started a couple weeks ago. Last year the starter went and was replaced as well as the battery and positive battery cable, seems the guy who had it for a lease drove the hell out of it and the cable had been badly corroded from road salt. the drivers side front window bracket snapped causing the window to ride out of the channel, was told by the dealers that I needed to order the whole piece of glass, cannot just get the clips, so I tried a structural adhesive and that snapped the bracket as soon as it went up after re-install, so now its up and disconnected till I get a cheap boneyard replacement.

 

[nws17]

We have had lots of rain and recently snow\freezing rain, so the moisture on the connection makes sense. Using WireDrier spray on them may help if you want to keep the harness, as might dielectric grease to seal the contacts housing.

 

[nws17]

Thanks for the heads-up regarding that Service Bulletin, now I should see if they will replace the harness for free!
The oil pressure readings were normal for the operating conditions, btw. funny thing, we have had rain and snow in the last two weeks but the light only flickered the day it came out of the shop. I still think its a bad ground somewhere in the dash .

 

[nws17]

I had a friend at his shop do it, picked up the sender at the dealer($10) and cost me $30 to have the oil pressure checked and the sender installed. I have not swapped the harness, and have not seen any light since the day I got it back, and only that once. Just put a K&N oil filter on and topped off the oil and it runs fine, so when we get a good stretch of weather I plan to pull off the harness and clean it or if necessary rebuild it.

 

[nws17]

I do not know if the dealer will service this for free. I generally try to limit my trips to the dealer for parts only and recalls when required.

 

[nws17]

Mohamed is that cost for the connector and harness or just the connector? I was under the car looking at it and it seems to be 1 piece. Btw my name is Ben. My Trep has not made any unusual sounds other than tranny\fuel pump noises, the normal ones. I tried that dash light diagnostic routine, pretty cool, still interesting is the fact that there is an engine code for the oil sensor but I could never get any codes when checking, it's off to on 3 times with the key, right? Just the usual dash lights on startup. Still havent seen my dummy light come on again.
Worth noting-the passenger side front wheel well has vents at the front exposing the battery and tray to road debris especially in reverse driving. I plan to close this to prevent having to replace my battery and positive cable in two more years. Once is enuff!
Thanks for all the posts and replies, we REALLY are THE source(not the dealer, unfortunately) when it comes to adressing issues with these fabulous cars. Everyone keep up the great work!

 

[nws17]

I agree as well, there are too too many TSB's for DC to not address the problems wholesale. If one of my clients tried to rush their product to market without fixing their electrical emission problems their product wouldn't get its certification(UL, TUV, NVLAP, CE) and when they tried to sell it there would be jail terms handed out, why are auto manufacturers exempt? Much like Microsoft Windows, They release Win98, 98SE, ME, 2000, and finally XP to do what 95 should have done if it was not rushed to market. Anything that needs considerable fixing repeatedly over time in my book aint worth SHIITE".

"Course I still drive the "trep and work in IT as well as Compliance, but thats my choice.
:devil:

 

[nws17]

Yeah, I picked up two lift plates for the door glass from a dealer who 4 months ago said they didn't make them separate from the glass(BS) so I ask the service manager how much to replace and he says "around $150". I ask why so much, and he says "well, you need to pull the door panel and glass and regulator(!?!?!).
I fire back "I had the whole thing apart and back together in under an hour, and no, the regulator didn't come out!"
Dead silence on the other end...so I said give me the parts counter. I figure I can find either another dealer or a glass shop to do it so if the glass breaks its not on me.
But what a f*#@*ing bunch of baloney, no wonder people hate dealers. The only ones straight on anything are all you great folks here.
:crazy: