Problem: Oil pressure light is flickering when stopped at a light or stop sign when warm (after about 20 minutes of driving). As soon as raise RPM's oil light goes out.

Background: 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan ES AWD with 182K miles and without a rebuild. Owned since new. Always maintained and oil changed religiously. Burns no oil. Minimum oil pressure is 11-15 psi (min spec is 5 psi). Max is 70-80 psi when cold. Have tested oil pressure with two separate guages - both within 1-2 psi reading. Have tried two new sending units in case one faulty to no avail. Have tried thicker oil (along with new filter) to no avail.


Thoughts/Questions:

• Am going to try to bump idle speed 50-100 rpm, but am worried this doesn't fix the root problem. Presently idling at 675 rpm.
• Since oil pressure is well within spec, I am thinking the engine and oil pump are fine, but could I be wrong?
• Would a stuck oil pressure relief valve still give me such good oil pressure readings while creating low oil pressure at the sending unit?
• If it is a stuck pressure relief valve, doesn't that essentially involve the same access/repair as an oil pump i.e. removal of timing cover, etc.?
• Is it possible the oil pickup is partially clogged? How involved/expensive would this be to check and clean?
• What would be your next move?

Note: I've read other threads on this flickering oil light problem, but none seem to fit my exact scenario, or no resolution was noted. Hope you can help me. I love my GC.

 

Well, the pan is easy enough to remove. It might make sense to go ahead and take a look. Dont try and mess with your idle speed. You'll just make more problems.