New 96 L has a problem

[AkumaMax]

I have a problem with my new 1996 Legacy L. Whenever I'm at a stop light my oil light comes on and it also started to tick today. has anyone had a problem with this. I did plug in the optional Heater cord to keep the car heated during winter with an extension cord. I will unplug it and see if this goes away!

[Sarra]

Geeze, how much oil is in your oil pan anyway? If you're running without oil, you're going to screw your engine.

[AkumaMax]

Geeze, how much oil is in your oil pan anyway? If you're running without oil, you're going to screw your engine.

I checked it and it looked fine to me!?

[Kansei]

mine does that after a month. tells me I burned all but one quart of oil. put oil in it.

[Sarra]

Possibly a bad sending unit then. Regardless, this is the health of your engine, I'd suggest taking it to a shop, if your oil pump went out, you could have a toasted motor.

[AkumaMax]

Possibly a bad sending unit then. Regardless, this is the health of your engine, I'd suggest taking it to a shop, if your oil pump went out, you could have a toasted motor.

Id be super pissed considering I just got the car!

[Huffer]

Unplugging the heater cord isn't going to do JACK. That heats the COOLANT to help keep the ambient temp of the block higher when it's off to aid in cold starts.

The dipstick levels in the Subbies appear to be relatively sensitive, and make sure you are reading it right. Oil should be between the two holes or notches on the stick. Make sure you check it when it's cold, and when it's warmed up.

[J-Rock!]

oil pumps do fail not often though,, in some cases ive seen chunks of fuji bond on the oil pump spout screen from an excess amount of fuji bond when resealing the oil pan.

[Plays_with_Toys]

96 L.... which means EJ22 with HLA's most likely.

The tick is usually from a lack of oil (mine will tick if I lose half a quart). The oil light is coming on and then is proceeded by the tick? Sounds like it could be an oil pressure issue, and would definitely get it figured out before the motor lets go.

I know the light is a dummy light. I imagine it comes on due to pressure right? Too little oil means the pressure will be too low, switch goes high. So either too little oil or lack of oil pressure would have it turn on no?

[blackgtbeauty]

Unplugging the heater cord isn't going to do JACK. That heats the COOLANT to help keep the ambient temp of the block higher when it's off to aid in cold starts.

The dipstick levels in the Subbies appear to be relatively sensitive, and make sure you are reading it right. Oil should be between the two holes or notches on the stick. Make sure you check it when it's cold, and when it's warmed up.

+1, level ground when checking too.

[decke48]

yes but for your oil light to go on you need less than 5-6psi of oil pressure.. things that it could be turning it on. broken oil pan baffle. bad sender unit. low oil, overfilled oil. worn engine components.

[AkumaMax]

Well I think the unit is broke. Reason I say this is when I'm stopped at a light the light comes on but once I get going and go past 1500rpm it turns off and if I let the car out of gear and just cruise(free Flow) the rpms drop to normal and it turns on. Once I put it in gear again it goes away. Also the ticking has gone away! It's very strange?

[AkumaMax]

well it's weird. I had an exhaust rattle and my cat to axle part came apart so I went and got a new piece welded on and the car runs and sounds like new no more tick nor no more oil light. I would change the oil but it's starting to rain so maybe i'll do that tomarrow!

[AkumaMax]

well after about a month of driving the oil light came back on(only when fully warmed). It is making my engine bog before 3k then it'll pickup and drive fine. I also noticed that from a cold start the car make a screeching sound. I keep an eye on my oil but it's still all there. I think the electronic unit is busted! I will have to take it to my mechanic this weekend!

[Partyphil]

Sounds like I have the same problem. I have assumed its the main bearing but never considered oil sending unit. I have a bad habit of not changing my oil you see :-( Im a bad Leggy owner. Ill have to remove the oil pan and check out the baffles,then change the oil with proper filter(currently civic filter)and thicker oil. Last time I changed the oil there was (or seemed to be)alot of metallic wear present. I also have misfires in 3 cylinders so a full ignition swap is in order(Plugs,wires and coil)then hopefully the ol EJ25D will run like new again. Or Ill have to get a EJ20T swapped in :lol: