Why won’t my car start the low oil light came on i drove it about ten miles added oil started it drove about 3 blocks and it died

ANSWER : Hi there:

Depending on what type of car you own, there could be multiple reasons why your car won’t start. If the oil light comes on, it typically indicates that you have low oil pressure as opposed to low oil level inside the engine. If the oil pressure is low, it is caused either by a faulty oil pump or sludge or obstructions inside the oil galleys in the engine. If this issue has been going on for a while, it may have caused internal damage which may be the reason why the car won’t start. To know for sure, you might want to have a mobile mechanic complete a car will not start inspection; so they can determine why this is happening and what repairs need to be completed to fix your vehicle.

ANSWER : Hello. If you put too thick of an oil in the car, then you may have damaged the engine bearings but this should not have caused oil to get in to the spark plugs unless the oil got into the intake of the engine or one of the pistons rings broke. If you ran it without oil and then tried to put oil in thinking it would be okay after that, then you were not that lucky and broke or damaged all of the rings on the pistons. If you would like to have this looked over, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the stalling issue and go over all of the relevant systems for a better diagnosis.

ANSWER : Hello. The oil light is telling you the vehicle has low oil pressure. How low was the oil when you had to add it? If you have not check it since it stalled you should do that first. If it is leaking oil or consuming oil heavily then you will need to find the cause. If the oil is not leaking, then the oil pump may have failed. This would prevent the oil from circulating into the engine, and cause excess strain on it. If a leak is the main concern then you will want to find out if its leaking externally or internally and proceed from there. You can also run an oil pressure check and hook up a gauge. When you find and repair the cause of the low oil pressure the vehicle should not stall anymore.

ANSWER : Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. If sometimes your vehicle will start with the new alternator and sometimes it won’t, then there is a loose connection in your charging system. Check all of the wires to the alternator and to the battery. Make sure that the battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure that the wires to the starter are clean and tight. A loose ground to the ignition system will cause the vehicle to not crank over. Check all of the ground wires from the battery to the starter. Make sure that they are clean and tight. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your no start situation, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you.

ANSWER : It is possible that they put in the wrong viscosity oil. In rare instances, a defective filter will also cause low pressure. If there is too much oil, it will aerate and cause low pressure. Be sure the oil level is really not above "max". The P2187 code will appear if the oil fill cap is not tight but it will also appear due to a myriad of causes because that code only "generally" identifies a lean running condition. Consequently, numerous parts would have to be tested including the O2 sensor, gas cap seal, manifold air leaks, any vacuum leak anywhere including PCV and EVAP systems, exhaust leaks, and fuel system faults such as failing fuel pump, clogged filter and more. Since the car has relatively low mileage, you would not expect a failed oil pump, although the pressure sensor (or switch) could be bad. However, the occurrence of the oil pressure warning light is quite coincidental to the oil change, thus I would suggest bringing the car back and asking them to redo with a new filter and double check the viscosity of the new oil that they use. If the problem persists after that, you will have to test actual operating oil pressure (at idle for instance) as well as the oil pressure switch. Finally, if the oil pressure warning light comes on continuously, unless the warning circuit itself is malfunctioning, that means the oil pressure is too low to operate the engine without damaging it. Anytime the light comes on for more than literally an instant, you should shut down the car and thus an issue like this obviously has to be repaired.

If you’d like, a YourMechanic certified mechanic can come to your home or place of business to inspect the vehicle and perform an oil pressure light is on inspection to diagnose the vehicle and suggest potential repairs.

ANSWER : Of course, don’t switch gears without being fully stopped, unless your Owner’s Manual or the manufacturer has alternative advice. However, the gear shift issue has no relation to the no-start problem you are describing. Inasmuch as you only have 6,000 miles on the car, the "constant on and off" that you believe has occurred is meaningless in comparison to the expected total vehicle service life. That is, assume what you perceive as "constant on and off", during merely 6,000 miles, might be equivalent to using the car "normally" for three years. A new car should be trouble free for at least 5 years, unless there is a defect, so your "constant on and off" is not a causal factor for any fault on the vehicle. What you might have is a defect in the ignition switch, or perhaps the immobilizer system, but if the problem is not in the switch itself, clearly there is an electrical problem.

If your vehicle is under warranty, by law the dealer MUST repair the issue you are describing within a prescribed time frame and number of "attempts", otherwise the dealer will run afoul of Federal and state Lemon Laws that give you very specific rights, and recourse (contact an Attorney; we are Mechanics, NOT attorneys). Consequently, if the vehicle is still under warranty, to save yourself money do be sure to seek a resolution from the dealer. If the vehicle is not under warranty, obviously a certified Mechanic from YourMechanic could identify the electrical fault and resolve this for you. If you want to go that route, please simply request a no start diagnostic -electrical system and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hi there. If the engine oil light was flashing and the engine was running a little rough, then there was an issue that was happening at that moment. Check the engine oil and see if the level if full or low. If the oil is low, then top off the fluids or have the oil changed with a new filter. If the engine oil light still comes on and makes the engine stall out with a strange noise, then the oil pump has failed or the oil pump pick up tube has become clogged and will not pick up any oil. To verify this, you would need hook up an oil pressure gauge to a port on the engine near the oil filter. Then start the engine. If there is no or very little oil pressure on the gauge, then the engine oil pump or pick up tube needs replaced and possibly the engine bearings need replaced as well (depending on how long the vehicle would be running with the condition). If there is good oil pressure, then the oil sending unit has failed making the ECM (computer) shut off the ignition system and fuel system to prevent any damage to the engine. If you need further assistance with your engine stalling, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. It is difficult to determine the issue without some more information. To start, when the check engine light illuminates, you want to scan the vehicle for diagnostic codes. These are what set the check engine light off, and are meant to tell the driver what the computer has detected is wrong. Codes can be pulled at most automotive parts stores, and by most technicians. Once you have that information you can focus in on one component or system. If the engine is truly overheating, then you want to start by checking your coolant and fluid levels. For more help with diagnosing and resolving the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.