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2013 Subaru Outback, oil light comes on about every 1000 miles, using the dipstick sometimes it is low, sometimes not. We’ve had it checked at the mechanics and they found nothing. There is no oil burning, no drips on the garage floor. Could it be a faulty oil level sensor?
Hi, When the oil warning light comes on, how long does it stay on for? Does it only come on the once or does it come on every time you drive for a few days and then stop etc? It could be an intermittent problem with the the oil pressure switch (2.5L engine) or the wiring from the switch back to the combination meter oil warning light. Worst case scenario is an intermittent problem with the oil pump. Is the engine running at a higher operating temp or is it noisier? If so it could be a failing oil pump. Did the mechanics do an oil pressure test? What size engine is in the vehicle, the 2.5L H4DO or the 3.6L H6DO? Only asking as the 3.6L engine has an oil level switch as well as an oil pressure switch and either one of them can cause the oil warning light to turn on FYI The oil pump in the 2.5L engine cannot be dis-assembled it has to be replaced. The oil pump in the 3.6L engine can be dis-assembled Update (10/14/2022) Hi @ colleen peterson The oil pump creates pressure when it is pumping the oil through the engine. The oil pressure switch checks that the pressure is the correct value. If not it turns on the warning light. Low or no pressure could be due to insufficient oil, a blockage somewhere or a faulty pump. It could also be that the switch itself is the problem and there’s nothing wrong with the engine lubrication system. Just a faulty pressure switch Here are some images from the service manual that may help with the switch. If the pump is the problem you need to remove the chain cover to get to it.
(click on image)
