What Causes the Oil Light to Flash and the Car to Shake?
3 Answers
When the oil light flashes and the car shakes, the possible causes are as follows: 1. Excessive oil viscosity or overly high oil resistance to high temperatures: Oil viscosity is related to oil quality. The higher the viscosity, the stronger the oil's resistance to high temperatures. However, higher viscosity is not always better. It's essential to use an oil grade that matches the engine. 2. Pressure relief valve blockage, leading to abnormal oil pressure: To prevent excessive oil pressure in the lubrication system, which increases engine power consumption and causes oil leaks at sealed connections, a pressure relief valve is installed in the main oil passage or oil pump. Its function is to limit the oil pressure in the lubrication system, keeping it within the specified range. A faulty pressure relief valve can cause abnormal oil pressure, triggering the oil light. 3. Insufficient oil quantity, resulting in decreased oil pressure: This reduces the oil pump's output, lowering oil pressure and accelerating wear on the crankshaft, bearings, cylinder liners, and pistons due to poor lubrication. 4. Overheating engine accelerates oil aging and thinning, causing leaks through various clearances: Excessive scale in the engine cooling system, poor heat dissipation, prolonged overload operation, or delayed fuel injection timing can cause engine overheating. This accelerates oil aging, deterioration, and thinning, leading to leaks through various clearances, pressure drops, and illumination of the oil warning light. 5. Oil filter blockage, causing the bypass valve to open and allowing unfiltered oil to enter the main oil passage: When the oil filter is blocked and cannot circulate oil, the bypass valve on its base opens, allowing oil to bypass the filter and enter the main oil passage directly. If the bypass valve's opening pressure is set too high or too low, the oil pump pressure will rise or fall, triggering the warning light.
I encountered this situation last time, and it really gave me a scare! If the oil light is flashing along with engine shaking, it's basically due to insufficient oil pressure. Pull over immediately to check—it could be that the oil level is too low or there's a leak. If you've just changed the oil, then the oil pump might be the suspect. Another possibility is a faulty sensor giving false alarms, but that's less likely. Remember, never keep driving if the oil light is on. I've seen someone who ignored it and ended up spending nearly twenty grand on an engine overhaul. Thinking back, it still hurts—cylinder scoring is no joke.
This issue needs serious attention. The oil light flashing indicates lubrication problems. The shaking is a sign of internal engine wear, most likely due to insufficient oil pressure. There are four common causes: clogged oil filter, sludge buildup from using low-quality oil, dented or deformed oil pan, or worn oil pump. Additionally, worn crankshaft bearings can also cause this – I've seen cases where seized bearings made the steering wheel shake violently during repairs. My advice is to shut off the engine immediately and call a tow truck. Don't make the same mistake as my friend who tried to save on towing fees and ended up paying for a whole new engine.
