Hey guys, I've got an 02 3.0 manual trans with 87k on it. I don't know the history of the truck.

Today while I was driving home from town, while stopped, the oil gauge would flicker very fast...it was the first warm day really. Each time the AC compressor would kick on, it would flicker a lot more...only when stopped.

When moving, even if you're going down a hill at 5mph in neutral, it doesn't do anything.

When stopped, even with the AC off, the gauge randomly flickers really fast and sometimes there's a clicking noise. I don't hear anything funny with the engine itself.

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I had my 6 mo. old with me so I didn't get out to check the oil and all that, I just prayed that we made it all the way home.

When my wife gets home later, I plan on going to check the oil level (which I did just check about 2-3 weeks ago and it was good)...and check all the electrical connectors that I can see.

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Is there something common that goes bad ... like a sensor ... or is this sounding pretty bad for my (to me) 1-month old truck?

 

Oh yeah one more thing I thought of...

I have been having problems with the instrument cluster. The red brake light would only come on sometimes with the parking brake applied...and some bulbs were burnt out...so I took it all apart and replaced every bulb back there...

And then the red brake light never worked. I verified that the parking brake switch was getting ground, I even grounded that wire ... and it still wouldn't come on.

Now magically, when I got home today, the red brake light works fine when I apply the ebrake. And yes, I am 100% sure I got all the connectors nice and tight to where they clicked into place.

 

The more I read about this all over the internet, apparently that oil switch is a pretty common problem. I guess after I double check the oil level I should just run down to the parts store and toss it in for $8. I am a mechanic but mostly do steering/suspension/brakes -- because we have three master techs that do all the diagnostic stuff at work.

So anyway, feel free to reassure me that it's a common problem though.

 

Replace that pressure sensor 1st. It's a bi*ch issue on the 3.0L's. Easy to replace and cheap to purchase.

I know at an almost stall (or very low RPM's) the oil needle will shutter. I have a manual trans, and if I almost stall the engine, the oil needle will flicker. Remember that it's just a glorified idiot light.

2nd thing I'd get prepared for is the cam syncro replacement. Pretty common topic the last few days.

 

hrmm...I do get a chirping noise when I start it up and it's cold, I just assumed it was the tensioner though.

 

Well, the oil level is fine and now it's not doing it. I think I'm going to just replace the oil pressure switch anyway and see if it happens again when I'm out with the AC on in bad traffic.

 

Tossed the switch in today, couldn't get the problem to occur again on my lunch break...with conditions pretty much similar to yesterday.

Funnies thing is...we just got a Taurus in at work with the same exact problem...but they measured the oil pressure and it is actually low. It's a DOHC though...and I want to say it was something like 14 hours labor to do the oil pump because you have to R&R the whole engine.

Our tech line had like 20 occurrences of the same problem...17 turned out to be the switch, on 2 they replaced the engine because of something internal, I want to say bad crank bearings or something, and then there was 1 where the oil pump fixed it.

 

It's usually the oil pressure "switch".

 

That damn pressure sensor, it'll get cha every time....LOL

Well at least you can rest easy knowing that's 1 less problem for your 3.0L.

 

air idle control was the problem on mine when it did it 4.0 ranger