wizzells

My thoughts are that it is happening when the vehicle is in gear and not in neutral because your RPMs are higher in neutral than while in gear at a stop. When the RPMs drop, the pressure drops. As the RPMs come up, so does the pressure - just like every other oil pump in the world. You may have something blocking an internal oil passage, or an oil pump problem itself. Something is probably causing a significant drop in oil pressure and if you don't know for sure what it is, DONT DRIVE IT until you have the problem diagnosed! There is a reason there is an oil pressure light!

ciscojay

This is very interesting, I found this in my official Toyota 1998 4runner Owners Manual, Chapter 1-5 p.69:

"(d) Low Oil Pressure Warning Light

This light warns that the engine oil pressure is too low. If it flickers or stays on while you are driving, pull off the road to a safe place and stop the engine immediately. Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop for assistance.

The light may occasionally flicker when the engine is idling or it may come on briefly after a hard stop. There is no cause for concern if it then goes out when the engine is accelerated slightly.

The light may come on when the oil level is extremely low. It is not designed to indicate low oil level, and the oil level must be checked using the level dipstick."

PAULUNM

Wow, that is interesting! I will have to find that passage in my owners manual.

I have been advised to change the oil with a good filter and some heavier weight oil. If I keep getting the flickering light after that, I'll have the pressure read.

ciscojay

FWIW, I have the same problem, exactly as the owner's manual states. It rarely happens, but mainly if I'm hitting the brakes hard to a stop, in gear, and pointing downhill. The second I blip the throttle, even just slightly, it goes away. I'm still going to get the oil pump and gauge/sending unit checked (not the $tealership though!) I'm up at that range (170k+ miles) where I'm more paranoid about stuff failing...especially something like this.

Julian82600

Is the ground expensive? My 04 4R V6 Sport is doing the same thing. The oil pressure light isn't flickering anymore, it remains solid. The engine light , stability, and trac are lit up on the dash as well now. The engine is ticking and I can tell its running different! I parked it as soon as all the lights came on the dash, and I haven't started it back up. It's at 204,000 miles and I know that's a lot.

aowRS

That usually depends on the zip code.




Andreas

Old83@pincher

That's why I moved 2500 miles!

Gee...I would of tried a new low oil pressure switch...I cant believe I responded to a 12 year old post!

Marx Rojas

Had the same issue. Went away when I changed oil and filter. Sometimes the easiest thing is the solution.