Low Oil Light Help!

[farmerpete]

Hi everyone. I have an '83 CJ5 with the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . Howell fuel injection conversion. It has been sitting for a few months (I don't use it over the winter). It has an oil pressure gauge and a low oil light. The low oil light is coming on and off, and the idle is inconsistent. I did replace the oil pressure switch (for the light), but that didn't help. The pressure gauge is showing 40lbs of pressure, so I know the pressure is good. Any thoughts on what might be causing the low oil light? Not sure if the idle and the light might be related, but before now its always idled perfectly smoothly.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Torxhead]

First thought would be the sensor that sets the oil light off. Like at 40 p.s.i. is it supposed to go off? The CJ did not come with anything like that I know of. I am sure you checked the oil level and it is full. A better way the check oil pressure would be with a temporary mechanical gauge. If you can't hear your lifters clatter you should be fine. The way I see it if the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l has more than 80k on the engine you should be using a high detergent 15w-40 wt. oil or around that. Last time I checked my oil pressure with a mechanical gauge it was at 20 p.s.i. and seems to be just fine.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

No CJ ever came OEM with a low oil pressure light.
Your fluctuation with idle and it's cause is most likly the route cause. The first thing I would look for is a vacuum leak. Then check your CPS and O2 sensor.
LG