Low Oil Pressure Indicator: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The low oil pressure indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the engine oil pressure reading reflects a condition requiring immediate attention. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data bus. The low oil pressure indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED) is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be off when the ignition switch is in any position except On or Start. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the instrument cluster transistor. The instrument cluster will turn on the low oil pressure indicator for the following reasons:

Bulb Test -Each time the ignition switch is turned to the On position the low oil pressure indicator is illuminated for about two seconds as a bulb test.
Engine Oil Pressure Low Message -Each time the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating the engine oil pressure is about 6.9 kPa (1 psi) or lower, the low oil pressure indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster receives a message from the PCM indicating that the engine oil pressure is above about 6.9 kPa (1 psi), or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off position, whichever occurs first. The cluster will only turn the indicator on in response to an engine oil pressure low message if the engine speed is greater than zero.
Actuator Test -Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the low oil pressure indicator will be turned on, then off again during the bulb check portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the LED and the cluster control circuitry.

The PCM continually monitors the engine oil pressure sensor to determine the engine oil pressure. The PCM then sends the proper engine oil pressure messages to the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the low oil pressure indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry that controls the LED, (Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING-INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ). For proper diagnosis of the engine oil pressure sensor, the PCM, the PCI data bus, or the electronic message inputs to the instrument cluster that control the low oil pressure indicator, a DRBIII(R) scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.