Notices
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

Warning light ! Low Oil Pressure

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 06:50 AM
  #1  
tofu's Avatar
tofu
Thread Starter
Pole Position
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 7
From: TX
Default Warning light ! Low Oil Pressure

This morning on the way to work and whenever I let go the gas and the Low Oil Pressure warning comes on.
The weather is 34 degree this morning...
Oil is full and I just changed the oil couple of weeks ago with Mobil1 W5-30.
Any idea ?? Thanks.

Last edited by tofu; Nov 25, 2013 at 06:55 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 08:30 AM
  #2  
chunkyda's Avatar
chunkyda
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 235
Likes: 10
From: FL
Default

How far is your drive? Once the engine warmed up did the light stay off?
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 08:42 AM
  #3  
tofu's Avatar
tofu
Thread Starter
Pole Position
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 7
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by chunkyda
How far is your drive? Once the engine warmed up did the light stay off?
From home to work is 7 miles, but it came on after 5 miles I drove.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 10:16 AM
  #4  
bmore430's Avatar
bmore430
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 714
Likes: 6
From: md
Default

I'd personally stop driving the car until you figure it out. How many miles on the car?

I think these cars have oil control valve problems around 125-150k concerning something with the vvti system. Someone else can chime in in that if they've replaced these before.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 10:55 AM
  #5  
tofu's Avatar
tofu
Thread Starter
Pole Position
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 7
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by bmore430
I'd personally stop driving the car until you figure it out. How many miles on the car?

I think these cars have oil control valve problems around 125-150k concerning something with the vvti system. Someone else can chime in in that if they've replaced these before.
I took the car during lunch time to the shop.
The car started OK but Low oil pressure came on and stay on after 500 ft driving.
It drove OK to the shop (about 5 miles from work). Left the car there so my mechanic can check it out, he thinks it the oil pressure switch and that is why car still running otherwise the engine will lock up right away.
Makes sense??

BTW, it is 2001 LS430 with 155000 miles.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 12:33 PM
  #6  
bmore430's Avatar
bmore430
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 714
Likes: 6
From: md
Default

I would be worried because you said it changes with throttle and rpms which would seem mechanical rather than a dead switch but I could be wrong. Keep us posted what the results are.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 01:20 PM
  #7  
toddmorr's Avatar
toddmorr
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 552
Likes: 27
From: Maryland
Default

in my Olds V8, an oil pressure light that came on at low RPM indicated worn crankshaft bearings. Replacing my oil pump helped but only by a little, it still came on. If you can keep that light off by manipulating the throttle then you can drive it but that gets to be a pain I would think. Unless the engine has been abused by infrequent oil changes, then the comment about a vvti issue sounds plausible to me.
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 10:10 PM
  #8  
Jabberwock's Avatar
Jabberwock
CL Community Team
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
Default

In almost every motor lower rpm always produces lower oil pressure because oil pump is running slower. Hopefully it is something simple like a sensor is clogged, or weak oil pump. Worse case it is worn out engine but that would be rare on the LS430 engine at only 155k miles if you have maintained the car by the book. I'd also change oil and filter immediately - rarely an oil filter can be defective or get clogged.

Last edited by Jabberwock; Nov 25, 2013 at 10:20 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 26, 2013 | 06:45 AM
  #9  
Lavrishevo's Avatar
Lavrishevo
Lexus Fanatic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,176
Likes: 324
From: NJ
Default

Yeah, I would start with the oil filter. Since you just changed the oil.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2013 | 03:50 PM
  #10  
tofu's Avatar
tofu
Thread Starter
Pole Position
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 7
From: TX
Default

Well! Changed the oil filter and top up but didn't fix it.
The mechanic suggests the oil sensor next....
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2013 | 04:06 PM
  #11  
Lavrishevo's Avatar
Lavrishevo
Lexus Fanatic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,176
Likes: 324
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by tofu
Well! Changed the oil filter and top up but didn't fix it.
The mechanic suggests the oil sensor next....
Sounds like the next logical step. Let us know.
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2013 | 06:41 PM
  #12  
chunkyda's Avatar
chunkyda
Pole Position
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 235
Likes: 10
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by tofu

BTW, it is 2001 LS430 with 155000 miles.
Oh, that car was not on your list. A sensor switch is the next thing to look for because it is easy to replace. If what you described (light on when you let off the gas) is the case, you might have a bunch of gunk in your engine causing the oil to stay up out of the pan and not drain back to the pickup in time to get the now slower spinning pump to keep the pressure up. Hopefully it is simple like the sensor.
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2013 | 11:22 AM
  #13  
tofu's Avatar
tofu
Thread Starter
Pole Position
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 7
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by chunkyda
Oh, that car was not on your list. A sensor switch is the next thing to look for because it is easy to replace. If what you described (light on when you let off the gas) is the case, you might have a bunch of gunk in your engine causing the oil to stay up out of the pan and not drain back to the pickup in time to get the now slower spinning pump to keep the pressure up. Hopefully it is simple like the sensor.
The warning light came on when I let off the gas at first but now it stayed on no matter what.
I was thinking about using the ATF fluid to get the gunk loose...

BTW, I sold my SC430 last week and forgot how to change my signature Lol.
Found this 2001 LS430 for $7500 not sure if it is good deal or not...

Last edited by tofu; Nov 28, 2013 at 11:28 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2013 | 06:45 AM
  #14  
tofu's Avatar
tofu
Thread Starter
Pole Position
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 7
From: TX
Default

UPDATE !!!!
It was the oil pressure switch.....
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2013 | 07:11 AM
  #15  
Lavrishevo's Avatar
Lavrishevo
Lexus Fanatic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 5,176
Likes: 324
From: NJ
Default

Originally Posted by tofu
UPDATE !!!!
It was the oil pressure switch.....
Glad you found the problem. Not a common one.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:02 PM.