Very slow leak activating oil "check" light?

[eskimo810]

My car's been sitting for a bit. First because it was winter, and now because I'm too scared to drive it without knowing that status of the timing belt. I've turned it on periodically since December (when I put it away), and have driven it a couple of times since the weather has been getting warmer.

However, when I turned it on to drive the thing up on ramps (no floor jack + dirt floor garage FTW), the oil "check" light came on. I assumed I'd figure it out over the course of doing the timing belt, but I've been busy and haven't done much more than get the radiator and fan out.

I came home today after being away for about a week, and noticed some oil drippings on a piece of plywood I left under the car. Over a week, it's spilled a minute amount of oil.

I'll be checking my gaskets and oil pressure sensor, but could a leak that small activate the light on my check panel? Or does something more problematic, like the oil pump failing have to occur.

I'm going to try and get some work done tonight with the car, but I thought I'd ask to ease my mind.

Thanks for any help

[camshaftgsxr]

that light means the oil level is a quart low, the check flashing is just to tell you to look up at your check panel.

the one on the dash that looks like an oil "lamp" means your pressure just dropped to engineblowup levels. check your oil level and add some the light should go off when its full

[eds325ix]

Have you checked the oil level? Maybe you're just low enough to 'activate' the oil light. Also, you have it on ramps up front? If the rear is on the ground it would make sense if the oil migrated to one side of the pan giving you and inaccurate reading and throwing off ur sensor.

[eskimo810]

that light means the oil level is a quart low, the check flashing is just to tell you to look up at your check panel.

the one on the dash that looks like an oil "lamp" means your pressure just dropped to engineblowup levels. check your oil level and add some the light should go off when its full

Thanks for the clarification. I did check my oil level, and it was just about half way between the "full" and "low" lines. I'll just do an oil change tomorrow and see where I'm at.

[camshaftgsxr]

Thanks for the clarification. I did check my oil level, and it was just about half way between the "full" and "low" lines. I'll just do an oil change tomorrow and see where I'm at.

perhaps someone can clarify how the sensor works inside the pan if the oil level is above the low line it shouldnt be on something else might be the problem.

[cabriodster87]

Probably engine angle changed (the ramps?)

EDIT: Oh, this was already covered. My bad.

[shaferbm]

Any solutions? My oil pressure light is also on like this.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

Mine has been doing the same thing ever since the oil pan and oil pump was replaced but every time I check the the dipstick , the pan is full to the top line I think the sensor just takes a dive

[BergerNJ]

if you have good oil pressure, good level of oil, and you aren't running very thin oil....you're pressure sender is suspect...

[shaferbm]

Good to know. I'll be getting right on checking the sending unit. Looks like next oil change I'm dropping the pan! (I still DD the car. Is this very stupid? I know oil pressure is vital, but it seems everything is getting the oil it should.)