2006 Explorer Oil Light Coming on in Cold Weather

[mweiss]

Last night, my wife texted me with a photo of the dash instruments, showing the oil lamp lit. She said the light stayed on for a fairly long time on the way to work. It eventually went out. I asked her to check if there was an oil puddle under the vehicle, and she said there wasn't.

This morning I checked the oil dipstick and the level was normal. The oil is still fresh from a recent oil change.

Engine runs and sounds normal. No check engine light.

I'm wondering if the oil pressure switch is failing. What do y'all think?

 

[Rcflyer330]

Yes, a bad oil pressure switch is a possibility but you need to put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on the engine to make sure you actually do have good oil pressure. I would not be driving the vehicle until i confirmed correct oil pressure.

 

[mweiss]

I guess that's a mechanic's domain. I don't have the tool or know where to connect it. But thanks!

 

[Rcflyer330]

You may be able to rent one from your local autoparts store and it threads in the same spot as the oil pressure sensor does. I would tell you where the oil pressure switch is but i don't actually know where it is located.

 

[mweiss]

That's the problem, neither do I.

 

[Rcflyer330]

That's the problem, neither do I.

I forgot to ask v6 or v8?
On the v6 according to a haynes repair manual the oil pressure sensor is located on the left side of the engine near the front cover. On the v8 haynes says the pressure sensor is located on the side of the engine block near the oil filter.