[saab&engineer]

Greetings Saab enthusiast,
I have been driving Saab's for five years now and have owned two so far. The first a 1995 NG 900S 2.3L and a 1999 Saab 9-3 SE T5 management (have owned for two years).
About 9 months ago my oil light began flickering after the car was at normal operating temperature and at idle. I don't do a whole lot of driving (about 15 miles a day) so my engine doesn't always arrive to the normal operating temperature. But when I do, after a while of driving the light flickers. This happens faster as the outside temperature heats up. Today this happened and managed to get home. I left the car on while the oil light flickered and the chime going off so I could check the engine. The engine was running perfect even though the oil light came on.
Can anyone give me some insight or have the same problem occurring? I am very meticulous and below is a relative list of replaced parts.

Replaced & checked parts:
1. Oil pump and seals
2. Oil changed EVERY 3000 miles with Quaker State full syn. 10W-30 along with oil filter
3. Oil pressure switch
4. Checked and cleaned PCV check valve & PCV nipple
5. Cleaned IAC valve
6. Lightly cleaned throttle body

Thanks for any input guys. And I will be posting a video soon on youtube to show the issue.

 

[saab&engineer]

Side Note

As a side note the car is highly maintained and runs perfect even when it is cold.

 

[fivepointnine]

10w30 is too thin....bump it up to 40wt and watch your light go away.......sounds like it might be time to drop your pan and clean the screen.

 

[saab&engineer]

Oil Pan

Thanks for the quick input! I forgot to add a new oil pan was installed about 10,000 miles ago too. So if the mechanic did the job right it should have been cleaned. But perhaps I will make that a weekend project after I upgrade my suspension.

 

[fivepointnine]

well if its a new pan, I would just say get a thicker oil.......the general consensus is that 30wt is way too thin.

 

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

Get a real oil pressure guage. The oip pressure sensor comes on at around 5 psi. Many have had luck with the sandwich filter adapter that goes between the oil filter and oil filter housing. Then, the guage is connected to a port on the sandwhich. I'v been running Mobil 1 0-40 full synthetic oil. Let us know what you actual oil pressure is.

BTW, was the oil pressure relief checked/replaced when the oil pump was changed. Those sometimes get galled and stick... Ron

 

[saab&engineer]

Oil Light

Thank you Ron for the reply. I am going to talk to my mechanic today or tomorrow to see all that was replaced. My mechanic has specialized in Saabs only for about 25 years. I keep all records so I have a mountain of a file. I'll track down that job and let you guys know. Thank you!

 

[seidl488]

which sandwich adapter do i get?

 

[fivepointnine]

on the glowshift website it is GS-AF2

 

[seidl488]

thanks. not a bad price at all. nice gauges on there too

 

[seidl488]

wait. that will fit on my 2.3 n/a right? and also, is this worth doing on my 1995 900 with 160K? My light comes on when i take quick turns or stop quick, but doesnt stay on. is that for low oil or low pressure? if pressure, whats the problem?

 

[seidl488]

any help from anyone on this one?

 

[saab&engineer]

Need thicker oil!

The pressure relief was replaced. After that new posting on all "Oil Woes" I suspect I need to use 10W-40 Synthetic now. As for the oil pressure on my car I will have to install an actual oil pressure gauge when I have the money.