Low oil pressure warning

[BSBB4Les]

I looked around for past topics on this one, but didn't see any so I'm posting about my experience. Yesterday I was on my way to the dealer for my '24 BB's first oil change and stopped to get gas. I had an issue at the station which was unrelated to the real one other than it caused me to be late for my appt. Because of this I was in race mode leaving the station. I made a sharp left turn with foot well planted on the gas when in the middle of said turn the "low oil pressure" warning flashed in the gauge cluster and the oil can idiot light lit up. The low pressure warning just flashed then went off. The idiot light stayed on. Since I was heading to the dealer and the motor seemed unaffected, I continued to the dealer, about 10 miles. Once there I turned the car off, waited a bit then turned it back on. The oil light went out as normal. During my drive I was in communication with the service advisor at the dealer who said they would investigate. Ultimately, they saw the warning code but it didn't give any further information as to what triggered it in the first place. The general consensus is it was a "blip" that didn't register a fault other than the warning. I have driven about 50 miles since and you'd never know it happened. Except I know it happened. The tech said if it happens again, have it towed in, don't drive it. I guess I'm posting this to get you all's thoughts. One more thing, since this was the first oil/filter change i asked if there was anything unusual about the oil drained and the filter. He said nothing out of the ordinary. Sorry for the looong winded post. If you got this far, thanks for reading!

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[cprcubed]

Check the oil level. Somewhere in the 22 model year, they changed the oil pans with ones that had a larger capacity to 6.6 quarts. Possibly they used the wrong capacity specification on yours and underfilled it. Cheers!

 

[BSBB4Les]

I had checked the level about a week ago and was good. 6.6qt pan on my '24. I guess I threw it so hard on the turn the oil had room to reflect low volume and triggered the pressure warning, but canceled as soon as it leveled out, which was milliseconds. I have never seen that particular warning before on either BS I've owned so it was very disconcerting. I'm wondering if anyone with a Badlands has tipped theirs off roading to the degree that could have or did trigger that warning?

 

[sajohnson]

It sounds like the high-g cornering caused the oil to slosh over to the right side of the oil pan and the oil pump momentarily sucked air causing a sudden pressure drop.

That said, the only time I've experienced that was hard cornering when a vehicle had low oil level. It's not normal.

Cars should be designed so that when the oil level is above 'low' the pickup will remain submerged, even during maximum braking/accelerating/cornering.

 

[BSBB4Les]

I agree with you, and your assessment makes total sense. Hopefully, in that very brief instant no harm came to the internals.

 

[sajohnson]

I agree with you, and your assessment makes total sense. Hopefully, in that very brief instant no harm came to the internals.

It's almost certainly fine.

I am curious about why is happened though, since you said you had checked the oil level about a week ago.

 

[BSBB4Les]

That's the rub. The dip stick showed full, but I'm not a fan of these new style ones with the holes. Anyway, the service advisor said the tech found no other codes, other than the warning. I drove straight to the dealer (10 miles) after the flash and she ran like she was in eco mode (I generally drive in normal mode) and I had normal shifts and speed. I definitely will be keeping a close watch on her performance going forward.

 

[Mark S.]

Hopefully, in that very brief instant no harm came to the internals.

If you did indeed experience a temporary loss of oil pressure (as opposed to an indicator malfunction), from your description the light was on no longer than it takes to get oil circulating on the first cold start of the day. The majority of engine wear occurs on cold starts since oil has drained off all internal engine parts into the pan. From what you describe, it sounds like you did far less harm than an ordinary cold start.

 

[BSBB4Les]

I appreciate your input Mark. Coming from you, I feel confident that I did no harm to the internals. Of course, I am monitoring the engine at every start up as well as while driving, and will until I'm certain nothing further will occur. I've gone over 100 miles since the incident with no issues at all.

 

[3524]

I’m having a low oil pressure light problem to. Oil is full and no other unusual noise or leaks Unfortunately the dealer is not able to figure out why the light is coming on.

 

[BSBB4Les]

It's been 3 weeks since my singular event and I haven't had a recurrence. This includes putting on about 400 miles. The BS rides and drives just as I expect. I've decided it was a one time phantom occurrence.

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