Engine oil light comes on when stopping and idling.

if your saying that your low oil pressure light is coming on (or flickering) at engine idle , but goes out when engine is above idle (going along) this is sure sign you have a problem in your engines oil pressure system :
serious !~


some common reasons for this to occur are:

worn out engine parts allowing oil to leak out and not lube parts properly (hi engine miles)

low oil level -not enough oil inside engine to get pumped around proper


restriction in oil system - blockage in oil passageways even oil filter will count (hi miles)

Clean the throttle body inside and the idle air control motor.This will help.

You need to find out why you have low oil pressure. It is normal that as engine rpm's increase, the oil pressure will rise- the oil pump is moving oil faster. Even though your light goes out, you could still have critically low oil pressure. There should be sufficient pressure at idle to keep the light off. The light will come on when your oil pressure is almost nil- I believe for some it's as low as 8 psi. Normally, oil pressure at idle is specified anywhere from 15 to 40 psi. You would have to check specifications for your Expedition. To verify oil pressure, hook up a mechanical gauge at the oil pressure sending unit on the engine block. Check with a local shop.

The causes run from easy, simple to budget busting ruin. Low oil level, wrong grade oil, real old oil, oil leaks, internal oil leaks, worn oil pump, worn crankshaft bearings. It was pretty common on older very high mileage cars to have a fluttering oil light at stops and idle. It was time for a rebuild, or time to look for another car.

Hi Erik:
- The first thing to do is check your oil level but you've probably already done that and we'll assume it's OK.
- I'm guessing that this may be an older vehicle?
- When you come to a stop, the engine speed (RPM) is at an idle, and the engine is hot. Hot oil is usually less viscous (a fancy word for thick) so it squishes out between older worn surfaces easier.
- When you first start the engine the oil is cold, thicker, and the pump gives it a higher pressure so the oil light does not come on.
- Recommendation? You could use an additive like STP to thicken the oil up. Idling with the light on is not a good idea as it means that adequate oil might not be getting to parts of the engine that seriously need them.
- Start to consider that some engine maintenance (or replacement) may be in the future, especially if you've high mileage.
Hope this helps.

Check and make sure your engine has the recommend amount. When you stop your vehicle the engine is at idle and has a lower oil pressure then when your car is driving. A oil light is a pressure gauge, when the light is on when stopped is the first sign of an oil leak, most likely the oil pan gasket.

Well, if you say that when he stops the car, but the engine still running (idling) - that "stop engine oil" light comes on, it could mean that the oil pump can no longer maintain the minimum oil pressure to the critical areas of the motor at an idle.
If the light goes out with a higher idle (driving the car) that is a good indication of a worn out motor.
be sure the oil is at the full mark, not below or above the full mark. Make sure the oil and filter are new. The sender units for the oil lights rarely go out - but it is possible.

this is a light that indicates low oil pressure or low level, 1st check the oil level in the engine when it is hot, if that is ok you will need to have the oil oil pressure tested with a specail mechanical test gauge, don't wait on this, low engine oil pressure or level can quickly lead to engine failure, have a shop check this ASAP if level is ok and light still comes on.

You could try thicker oil or stop using synthetic or add some lucas oil treatment or change the oil. The sender could be bad too. A diag is in order because if there is no presure the engine will soon die.

its a high mileage engine.
all you need to do is use a thicker oil and the light will go out at idle speeds.

use a 50w sae valvoline racing oil.
plus stp oil treatment.

do that and that light is all gone.

Sounds like your oil pressure sensor may be faulty. Or your oil level is very low. Your engine should idle as low as 650 rpm without your light coming on.