oil warning light?

[sloth]

Hi all, hopefully an easy one for someone! My family-mobile (2001 Seat Alhambra, 1.8 petrol) has developed an issue. The first cold start of the day takes a fair bit of ignition, then when I stop turning the key the oil (oil pressue?) light on the dash flashes and beeps. Then the engines starts next turn of the key, and is fine when warm.

Oil was fairly low so I topped it up, but it's no better. What could it be, and should I be just getting it to the local garage?!

Cheers...

[Mesterh]

Change the oil and filter for a start. Don't drive it if light keeps coming on, in fact I would get the oil and filter changed asap.

[Richard 1234]

I'd check oil level is right and check for any obvious leaks.

If no leaks appear run on Rickover for a bit and the light may go out.

It can take a while got the computer to realise you've topped oil up.

Do get a mechanic to check it out though!

[Pr04log]

Prob faulty oil switch sender unit a very easy and cheap fix or the 2 wires going to switch loose worth checking first good luck.

[R Mac]

Worn hydraulic tappets? takes the 2nd start to get the oil pressure up as the tappets are losing oil while sitting overnight?

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Prob faulty oil switch sender unit a very easy and cheap fix or the 2 wires going to switch loose worth checking first good luck.

 

No, that 1.8 engine is famed for sludging up; yer wee oil galleries are like blocked arteries.

 

Drop oil, run flushing oil, renew with higher end oil (motul a good compromise). If same, change oil pump.

[sloth]

The oil does look fairly nasty, probably overdue a service. I'll try an oil and filter, plugs etc change and see how it goes. If no change I'll pop it down the garage.

Cheers all :thumbup:

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Forgot to ask the mileage on the ol girl, also the duty cycle / history i.e. motorway vs school run?

[TreeswingerPerth]

We had a very similar problem with my wifes Audi , first crank in the morning a large triangle with exclamation and no start . Turn off , turn on wait till warning disappeared then it would start .

Turned out to be a faulty instrument cluster .

[luftwaffe]

Sorry to derail the thread but the wife has a 08 astra 18sri that runs down the battery if parked for a week, checked to see if any inside lights are on and number plate light etc but nothing showing, it does charge up, any help would be appreciated.