97 J30 intermittent oil light

[nutsaboutcars]

I have a 97 J30 in pretty bad shape. damage both fenders,hood,bumper cover,bottom right door. 137k, and the worst of it is the oil pressure. When started cold,no engine noise,but very little if any oil pressure.If you then turn the engine off,wait 2 or 3 seconds ,restart and you instantly without hesitation,have oil pressure. Sometimes you can run it for 30 mins or more with no problem. Other times no matter hot or cold, oil light stays on. I know I should connect a real gauge to it,but I dont want to get involved with repair if its going to be a waste. I really love this car and hate to see it go but sometimes you have to know when enough is enough. Suggestions would be appreciated, thank you

[Q45tech]

Did you or a previous owner commit the felony mechanical child abuse?

Could just be a bad oil sender or the oil sensor wiring? Either replace sensor or use a gauge to graph psi vs crank time at idle. Clean fresh oil and filter always is the worst case as psi increases as oil evaporates to a thicker viscosity.

What were the exact dates of the previous 45 oil changes [4 per year x 11 years +] or 36 based on 3,750 miles?

Unusual for J30 to be purposely destroyed so early in life but anything is possible.

We have seen 4 1996 Q destroyed just after 100k.

[oldmako]

At the very least, check the sending unit and it's wiring. Simple and pretty much free. Borrow or you can buy a remote oil psi gauge for just a few bucks....search ebay. Or just get one at Advance, either way were not talking reaching very far into the vault. Worst case the engine is toast and you have a nice new gauge in your tool box for the next ride.