Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Mon 31 Jan 2011 12:05
Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on - dreadhead

Hi all

Have the oil light on all the time,when starting the car and when driving. There is oil on the dipstick which is nearly full !!!! There is NO knocking noise at all. Apart from the oil light the car runs fine.

What are my next options

Thanks for your time

Dreadhead

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 31 Jan 2011 12:54
Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on - dadbif
Oil pressure warning lights should never be ignored! It may be caused by something as simple as a disconnected wire to the sensor, however this is not common, and A warning light normally signals large and expensive problems if ignored. The presence of oil on the dipstick means only that oil is present, not the the pressure required to lubricate all bearing surfaces is available. My advice would be to stop driving and have it checked as a matter of urgency.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 31 Jan 2011 14:04
Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on - dreadhead

Hi dadbif

Thanks for getting back to me, we are not driving the car anyway because of the oil light. If I take the oil filler cap off wouldn't that tell me that there is oil going round the engine. One thing though we did have trouble with alternator and battery and they have been replaced over the weekend.

Thanks again dadbif

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 31 Jan 2011 16:31
Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on - dreadhead

ok i just taken the oil filler cap off and the is oil going round in the rocket cover when started. so is it just oil sensor. Thanks for any help.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 1 Feb 2011 09:46
Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on - dieselnut

Try a new oil pressure switch.

If this doesn't resolve the problem you will need to find out why the oil isn't getting to pressure. ( worn oil pump, blocked oil strainer etc )

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 1 Feb 2011 13:02
Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on - unthrottled
probably. But oil starvation damage is extensive and often irreparable. Best bet is to find someone to measure the oil pressure at idle and 3000 RPM and see if the readings are within spec.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 4 Feb 2011 19:09
Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on - dreadhead
1st want to say a BIG thank you to =dadbif, dieselnut and unthrottled = for the input you gave me.
I rang Gr**nflag (homestart) the bloke came out checked the car and said it was fine but didnt know why the light was still on.
After an hour he said the Alternator was faulty it wasn't earthing the car which i've just replaced.
That was total bulls***, because after he went still not fixing the problem I had a look himself and it turns out to be burnt wires going to one of the front fuse boxes by the battery which is why the light was coming on.
Replaced all the burnt wires with new and its running great lol.
I'm going to get it checked for peace of mind anyway but thank you all for the help you gave a noobie.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 4 Feb 2011 19:29
Nissan Micra K11 1996 - oil light stays on - unthrottled
Splendid news! These electronic faults are horrible-you have to assume there may be something wrong, but often as not, there is a bad connection or lost continuity somewhere. I think electronics is an area where some OEMs try to cut corners since they concentrate their budget on components which give a perceived benefit-and a cheap wiring loom is just as good as an expensive one in terms of measured parameters.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....

From economical vans to those that have the largest payloads, we have a shortlist for everyone - click to find out which will suit your needs.

Undecided on which van to buy? Our Top 10 shortlists can help...