i have a 04 caravan the oil light recently started staying on when i first turn on the car, but will go off if i restart. theres plenty of oil and the van runs petty well but dos feel a little rough . i was wondering what the oil light means. why would it be coming onand go off after off and on again?

 

I was under the understanding when the oil light comes on and stays on or flickers when driving, that means there is something wrong with the oil system. It could be a bad sender or it could be the engine is shot and there is low oil pressure which is going to be a catastrophic failure.

 

Welcome to DF
Okay,you are saying when you start the engine and let it idle,The oil lite stays on? And you turn the engine off and restart and let it idle again the oil lite is off?

 

yes. I has happened numerous times and so far if i just restart engine it goes off again. I don't want to be negligent and keep driving if i am doing damage but the van does run pretty well and the light does go off. Any ideas?

 

What is the reason the oil light stays on until I restart

 

If you don't hear any knocking sounds, I would remove the oil pressure switch and put a manual gauge in its place. Start the engine and see if the oil pressure at idle is in specs. If it is replace the switch.