check engine - no oil pressure - engine goes to idle

[ilovetrains]

Twice on Saturday I was running along and I get beeping from the console, CHECK ENGINE, and I notice oil pressure go to 0, then back to 36 and 44 respectively. First time was with a boarder up, second was when heading back to the dock. The engine lost RPM until it was idle, and then it went back to normal.

This is an 06 LSV with 383 HH. I have had the low oil pressure come on under hard deceleration previously, and have installed the new dipstick after the recall and 6 qts of oil. This is a completely different occurrence.

so um, what is up? It was kind of annoying with a boarder up.

[ilovetrains]

bump - any ideas what might have caused this problem?

[99response]

Sounds like the oil pressure switch is telling the engine computer there is zero oil pressure and to go into limp mode (idle). Then oil pressure registers again and bring the computer out of limp mode.

I would verify with a mechanical oil pressure gauge and then replace the switch.

-Chris

[jkendallmsce]

Sounds like the oil pressure switch is telling the engine computer there is zero oil pressure and to go into limp mode (idle). Then oil pressure registers again and bring the computer out of limp mode.

I would verify with a mechanical oil pressure gauge and then replace the switch.

-Chris

What is "limp mode"/and how does it work???

[XTI04]

Sounds like the oil pressure switch is telling the engine computer there is zero oil pressure and to go into limp mode (idle). Then oil pressure registers again and bring the computer out of limp mode.

I would verify with a mechanical oil pressure gauge and then replace the switch.

-Chris

What is "limp mode"/and how does it work???

Limp mode is when the computer sees a major problem and brings the engine to idle to help prevent major damage.

[jkendallmsce]

Sounds like the oil pressure switch is telling the engine computer there is zero oil pressure and to go into limp mode (idle). Then oil pressure registers again and bring the computer out of limp mode.

I would verify with a mechanical oil pressure gauge and then replace the switch.

-Chris

What is "limp mode"/and how does it work???

Limp mode is when the computer sees a major problem and brings the engine to idle to help prevent major damage.

what year did Malibu put that on their boats?? And is it on all of them and all engines?

thanks

[XTI04]

I had a problem a few weeks ago with the oil pressure warning. Turns out the hose at the water pump was loose and a little water was sprayed on the engine. I tightned the clamp and in a few minutes the engine dried off. No more problems.

[nuttyskier2002]

Sounds like the oil pressure switch is telling the engine computer there is zero oil pressure and to go into limp mode (idle). Then oil pressure registers again and bring the computer out of limp mode.

I would verify with a mechanical oil pressure gauge and then replace the switch.

-Chris

What is "limp mode"/and how does it work???

Limp mode is when the computer sees a major problem and brings the engine to idle to help prevent major damage.

what year did Malibu put that on their boats?? And is it on all of them and all engines?

thanks

Limp home mode is part of the operation strategy of any electronic fuel injected engine. It's on cars and truck too. The engine runs just enough to get the vehicle (in this case a boat) home or to the nearest repair facility. Like said above,.. it is probably a problem with your oil pressure switch. Also HH motors have been known to run lower oil pressures when hot than other engines. Did you get the revised dipstick talked about on this site? Maybe this applies to your model and maybe not but just a thought. Also,... some marine engines require heavy duty racing oil for this very reason. What type oil are you using?

[mlange]

IIRC the switch has nothing to do with the pressure you see at the gauge. It's only a signal to the ECM to tell it to go into limp mode. The sending unit provides the signal that the gauge uses. They are two separate sensors near the oil filter.

[dlb]

http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=R020001

Replace the sending unit, that should fix it.

[SmoothWaterMan]

http://www.skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=R020001

Replace the sending unit, that should fix it.

That link is for a sending unit for the gauge display, not the oil pressure switch for the ecm.

Call your dealer.

Peter

[Green_Giant]

I could be wrong on this but if I understand these sensors correctly:

If he has the switch telling the computer there is no oil pressure and the sending unit telling the gauge there is no oil pressure at the exact same time, and then both bouncing back at the same time, my money says he lost oil pressure (air at the pickup) I don't know where the sump or pump pickup is on these but seems like a pretty big coincidence for two separate sensors to call out an issue at the same time and both be wrong. And, this is under hard deceleration.

Only other option I can think of is both losing contact at the same time through the cannon plug.