2004 Dodge Dakota v6 Magnum oil light???

[Mopard]

Im working on a 2004 Dodge Dakota 3.7 v6 Magnum and it starts good drives good, but the oil light came on while i was driveing it home, but it did not knock at all it still ran great and was quiet, not like what you would expect with no oil pressure. Can anyone tell me if this is something that happens with these trucks? I turned it off and back on again and the light went off for a bit and then came on again. But yet the engine is quiet. Need any info.

[Dick]

That engine was prone to sludge buildup. It sounds like the return galleys are partially plugged and the slow oil return causes the sump level and pressure to drop low enough to signal the light.

[70Ted]

bad sending unit

[JVMopar]

All of these newer engines are prone to sludge build up no matter what brand they are. Mostly from running extended oil change intervals. That and the push for running higher coolant temperatures.

Remove the sending unit and put a mechanical gauge on it to check the actual pressure.

[70Ted]

that's not a pic of a modern engine

[70Ted]

with no noise etc he has oil preasure

[JVMopar]

That's a picture of a 5.3 GM. Pretty modern considering they still make them.

[Dick]

Easy enough to check if it is a bad sending unit. Install gauge or swap out sending unit.

[Mopard]

Originally Posted by Dick

That engine was prone to sludge buildup. It sounds like the return galleys are partially plugged and the slow oil return causes the sump level and pressure to drop low enough to signal the light.

Thats what i was wondering. The oil has been changed and it looks clean and new. Not sure how many miles on the oil as i just started working on this vehical for someone.

[Mopard]

Originally Posted by 70Ted

bad sending unit

Thats what i also thought that it might be, but wanted to track it down befor starting to replace different things

[Mopard]

Originally Posted by JVMopar

All of these newer engines are prone to sludge build up no matter what brand they are. Mostly from running extended oil change intervals. That and the push for running higher coolant temperatures.

Remove the sending unit and put a mechanical gauge on it to check the actual pressure.

From what i was told just today that it had been driven for a while without an oil change not sure how long. But like i said it sounds and drives great and the oil is new and very clean.

[Mopard]

Originally Posted by 70Ted

that's not a pic of a modern engine

Even though it wasnt my motor, it hurt me too see it looking that bad.

[Mopard]

Originally Posted by 70Ted

with no noise etc he has oil preasure

Thats what i was thinking. But, how long would it have to run befor it started to knock?

[Mopard]

Originally Posted by Dick

Easy enough to check if it is a bad sending unit. Install gauge or swap out sending unit.

Thats my next step. At first i thought that it may be a oil filter not letting oil pass through. I had one do that to me befor. But then again, it should start to knock.

[lil red rick]

My 93 Dakota did that same thing. When I rebuilt the transmission I replaced the oil pump, pan gasket, and rear main seal. Relief spring in oil pump was root cause.
Rick