Oil Light Coming On When Braking?

[wutangben]

Hey guys, I've searched all the boards, found one guy with the same problem, but he never solved it.

Couple nights ago I noticed that my oil light was coming on whenever I was braking hard or coming to a stop. Basically whenever most of the weight of the car is going to the front.

I checked the oil level, many times, i've got plenty of oil.
Looked at the oil pan (I hit a raccoon that same night), and it looks fine to me. There's a small dent in on the passenger side towards the back, but it looks old...
I've tried jiggling around the harness/plug that goes to that sensor, nothing happens.
Tried resetting the ECU.
Tried revving up the engine while braking, and it doesn't make a difference.
The car seems to be running just fine...

The light going on has nothing to do with engine rpm, just goes on when the front end is loaded. Doesn't come on when i go over bumps, doesn't come on when i'm taking a turn really fast... Just when braking hard.

Also, it only does it when the car is really warmed up.

I know I can get an oil pressure gauge, and really get to the bottom of this, but I'm short on cash right now, and so far the one shop I checked doesn't stock them. I'm in a bind because I've got a drift event that I'm supposed to leave for tomorrow and it's 200+ miles away... I've put over 150 miles on the car since the light started going on, and it seems to be ok. A wise friend of mine went for a ride last night and he's convinced it's not pressure related, he thinks it's something to do w/ wiring or the switch or whatever. I'd love to just ignore it and drive this weekend, but I'm afraid of blowing the motor and getting stranded. Spent all the money I had on registration, tires, hotel, etc...

Any ideas, please shoot 'em out there.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

[GoodOl'S13]

it sounds like your oil level is low, double check it. Find someone with the the same set up as yours and swap sensors, see if it still does it.

[wutangben]

I've checked the oil 5 times since, oil level is fine... I might try swapping sensors, I've got an extra SR in my garage...

[fliprayzin240sx]

Drop the pan and pound it out. The pan doesnt have to look dented for it to push against the sump. Your light dont turn on till it drops less than 1/2 a bar. By then its too late. Also, what weight oil are your running? Try running heavier oil, that might alleviate your issur for a bit.

[S14_Kouki]

CHECK YOUR OIL PRESSURE and check your oil pressure sending unit and sensor again

[Shaminii]

You can never be too sure its oil pressure unless you hook up a oil pressure gauge to it. Check it before its too late. Bang out the oil pan and check if the oil pick up is fine or there is anything in there. The oil pan should be completely flat. It only takes like an hr of work. It could be a bad oil pressure sender also.

[wutangben]

I'm running 10w30. Looks like I'll take the oil pan off tonight, and throw on a FReddy one I just picked up recently... Thanks for the help so far.

What I'm curious about is why it's only coming on when I'm braking and not all the time? if the sump was being blocked or damaged or whatever, wouldn't it be a problem all of the time?

[wutangben]

well, i saved myself a lot of work. unplugged the oil pressure sensor, or whatever it's called, and it's still doing the exact same thing. oil light is coming on when i'm braking. so i'm convinced it's not actually an oil issue, but something with the wiring. thanks for all the help you guys.

Ben

[ixfxi]

its probably NOT your wiring, and most likely IS oil pressure related.

get a real gauge, like a VDO. install it and make sure you've got suficient flow. if not, your oil pump could be failing. not uncommon, as i had gone through SEVERAL on my old ka24e

[wutangben]

did you read what i posted? i unplugged the sensor, and the light is still coming on in the same conditions... meaning it's doing the same thing when it's not even hooked up. which means it's going on for a reason completely unrelated to my oil pressure.

i'm getting a gauge later on this month. no time to get one before this event.