Hello,

I’m fairly new to this forum and the Honda family so I’m looking for some help. I bought a 1995 Honda Accord Ex back in August from my uncle that was stationary for several years. I’ve been using it as my daily since then. It has only about 85k miles on the odometer everything stock. Recently since the temperatures where I live have been rising since summer, I noticed the oil pressure light comes on. When it first started, occasionally the light would turn on (flashing) after the car is driven for a bit and reaches OP temp. But once the car is turned off and turned on again the light is gone. Occasionally I would see the light slowly illuminate (pretty dim, not bright) at idle and when given a little gas it would turn off and once idling again it would slowly illuminate (same as before). I replaced the oil pressure sensor back in May but yet same problem would happen but the only difference is at idle it hasn’t turned on yet. Since May though I have taken 2 trips about 4.5 hrs each (300 miles,98% freeway 60+ MPH)… no light. I took the car to a trusted mechanic in June who did an engine diagnostic, he said the engine is fine no pressure leaks and oil pump is functioning properly, he believes it may be an electrical issue. Since June whenever I drive the car during the day when it’s 95+ degrees the light would come on, no specific time sometimes it’s a couple minutes after driving it once it reaches op temp and sometimes it turns on 10+ minutes driving around town it’s not the same every time. Ive also noticed that it does not turn on at night, when the temp is usually about less then 90 degrees. I drive about 10 miles to work, clock in at 4, light turns on within 2-4 minutes of starting when outside is about 95+ degrees but when I’m off around 11 taking the trip home the light stays off.

There is an electrical issue with the car that has been there since I’ve bought it and I believe has no correlation to the flashing oil pressure light. When the headlights are on and turning the signal light (either direction or flashers) a small power surge happens where the dash lights dim ever so slightly as if power is pulled from the lights that are illuminated to shine the blinking light bright. Basically when the blinker turns on and flashes another light on the dash, for example the brake light indicator, will slightly dim and when the flasher is off the brake light indicator will go back to its normal brightness and it repeats as long as the blinker blinks but once it’s fully off the dash lights are normal.

I have no clue what May be the problem so I am hoping maybe someone may have an idea or an idea of where I can start to trouble shoot before I take the car to an automotive electrician and fork out money I need for school.

 

Did your mechanic measure the oil pressure at idle?

Just to be thorough, is your car a 4-cylinder or V6 accord? Is there an aftermarket alarm system installed on your car?

I'd start with the simple stuff first. Have you changed the oil and oil filter on the car? Did your uncle do routine oil changes on your car? Did the oil level ever run low?

Unplug the oil pressure switch and put some electrical tape around the harness so the connector doesn't touch a ground. See if the light still turns on when driving with the switch unplugged. Also inspect that wire harness for any signs of damage on the wire and follow the harness and see if the plastic is damaged/worn due to vibrations rubbing through the harness.

 

It's a 4cylinder 5 speed manual transmission, there is an after market alarm system that was installed by the dealer (which I think was done hella janky). I did replace the oil and oil filter when the oil pressure was replaced. My uncle did maintain the car in terms of routine maintenance but the car was stationary for a several years. There is a small leak that comes from the oil plug that I found recently but the oil level isn’t low and I routinely check that. Also the mechanic did the pressure test at idle and he said it’s good. If I remember correctly I think at idle the pressure was somewhere at about 10 lbs.

 

The shop manual says 10 psi at idle at operating temperature is the minimum. 50 psi minimum at 3000 rpm. I'm not sure what is normal.

I'd unplug that connector to the oil pressure switch, since you have tested the system and check the oil level. If the problem goes away, then you may have low oil pressure. If the light turns on, then you have an electrical problem to trace down that we can help you with.