Mazda Tribute (Ford Escape) Oil light issues

Asked by Cole Sep 07, 2021 at 12:16 AM about the 2002 Ford Escape XLS FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I recently got a 2002 Mazda Tribute 3.0 V6 with 260,000 miles. The car runs
and shifts like a champ. Starts faster than my 2018! The only issue I had with
it was a very faint oil pressure light flicker at idle in drive only when the AC
was on (I assume because of the lower RPM caused by the compressor). I
decided to do a oil pressure check with a physical gauge. It read 20PSI at
idle in park, and ~14psi in drive. That is within spec for this engine, because I
guess it only wants 11psi at idle! I decided to get a new sending unit. After
installing the new sending unit, I am now getting the oil pressure light to
flicker at idle, and go solid in drive with the AC on. Somehow it got worst with
a new sending unit! I read that the oil light trips at 5-8 PSI. I was getting 15
PSI in drive, so why is the light tripping? Is there something else to look at?
What am I doing wrong here!

1 Answer

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Bratts
    Reputation
    4,470
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    4,000
  • #3
    KenF
    Reputation
    3,740
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Explorer
81 Great Deals out of 2,024 listings starting at $2,999
Used Honda CR-V
90 Great Deals out of 3,817 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota RAV4
91 Great Deals out of 2,055 listings starting at $3,499
Used Ford F-150
299 Great Deals out of 15,725 listings starting at $1,712
Used Ford Focus
22 Great Deals out of 496 listings starting at $995
Used Honda Civic
154 Great Deals out of 3,390 listings starting at $2,230
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
113 Great Deals out of 3,318 listings starting at $4,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.