Check Gauges light/oil pressure drop

[oquela]

I have a 99 chevy Tahoe 2WD, and recently my Check Gauges light comes on while the oil pressure needle drops to zero. This usu. happens when coming to a stop, but when accelerating, the light goes off, and the needle jumps back up to what seems normal.

is it the oil pressure switch, or is something else going on? If it is the switch/sensor, is this a pretty straightforward repair, (accesible) or is it complicated?

Thanks!

 

[grimm]

Check your oil. This also happens when you're way low on oil. You might be down a quart or even 2.

This has happened to me before and I checked my oil and was a little low. The way you describe the situation, that's probably all it is. Good luck.

 

[SunlitComet]

very low oil it sounds like and will cause some serious damage if not fixed. When you brake you are shoving the oil forward away from the pickup. When you accelerate you shove it back to the pickup. very low oil will cause these problems.

 

[oquela]

Thanks. Just took it in again ( I got my oil changed 3 weeks ago, so I didn't think THAT could be it) and it seems I've sprung an oil leak, although my driveway is pretty clean. The garage was about to close, so they couldn't figure out where it was coming from, but they filled it back up w/oil and it's fine for the moment. It had gotten so low that the gauge was dancing all over the place. Now I need to park it, let it drip, and fix it.

Thanks again for the help!

 

[grimm]

Sure thing. If you got your oil changed 3 weeks ago, that's awfully quick to lose enough oil for your gauge to start dancing around like that. With age these trucks can burn oil, but that's a bit too quickly. Wouldn't hurt to make sure the place that changed your oil properly fitted your oil filter and drain plug/drain plug gasket.