Last night on the way home my 96 Ram 318 suddenly had the engine oil light come on and oil pressure gauge drop to zero. I pulled over, made sure I had plenty of oil, then slowly made my way home. I would lose pressure and the light would come on intermittently. Twice I heard tapping and pulled off the road to try and figure out what was up. Both times the tapping stopped and eventually the pressure came up and sensor light dropped for good(about 8 or 9 miles).
I'd guessed I had an oil sensor problem, but the tapping bothers me since it seems to be associated with it. Not all the time, but sometimes. My question is, has anyone had an experience like this that can shed a little more light on the subject? Especially the tapping? How safe is it to drive?

 

I would not drive it. If it was just the light I would say it probaly the sending unit but where you have tapping it may very well be other problems. If its losing pressure chances are it maybe a pump issue or something as simple a a clogging pick up tube.

 

The tapping was a lack of oil to the top end of the motor.you may have caused some major damage. NEVER run a motor with no oil press.[&:]

 

swap the pump...

http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/rearmain.php

 

Sounds like same valve clatter to me [&:]