I’ve searched though the forum but I haven’t seen anything that really helps, so hopefully someone here can answer my questions.
Car Stats: 2004 Impreza Wagon, 70,000Km
Problem: Very dim intermittent oil pressure light going on (once last month, 3 times this week). When the light is on I’ve noticed that the oil gets sucked into engine but doesn’t circulate, showing no oil level on the dipstick. Problem goes away when some oil added, or oil warms up, then everything starts working fine again. Only happened on cool wet days.
The long story:
Last month when I started my car the oil pressure light stayed on but was dim. I turned off the car, checked the stick and it showed really low. I added some oil, started the car and the light stayed off. I then immediately took the car for an oil change and had no problems until last week.
Since bringing the car for the change I’ve been religiously checking the stick again and the oil level (level stayed steady) so it took me by surprise when one morning the OPI light went on dimly. Once again I checked the stick and it said I had no oil. I added a little bit of oil and the light slowly dimmed off. I made an appointment with the dealer and planned to bring the car in the next day. Before I stated the car the next day I checked the oil – Middle of the stick but when I started the car the OPI light still stayed on (dimly). What’s strange is that when I checked the stick again it said I had no oil.
So once again I top up oil bring the car to the dealer and they can’t find anything wrong with the car at all, “everything is perfect take it home.” The car is dry and there are no faults in the computer.
Looking back I noticed that the only similarities are that each day it happened it was a cool wet day (possible electrical problem). When the oil warmed up, or oil was added the light goes away.
I am concerned that if I keep driving around I can damage the engine, and I have to admit that I’m a little annoyed that the dealer can’t suggest a “next step” to define or solve the problem.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.