Flickering Oil Light at Low Idle Options

[Sinyk]

Hey guys, I have been noticing for the past while that my oil light will flicker when my car returns to idle when I am driving (1996 Celica 2.2L 5SFE). I have been doing some research on the cause and it sounds like it could be related to a stuck oil pressure release valve on the oil pump.

Anyone have any experience servicing one of these? I have read that you can service it with the pump off the most easily, but it requires taking the timing belt off of course which I would prefer to not do. It sounds like you might be able to service it from below by taking off the oil pan. I don't know if my pan has ever been taken off or the screen cleaned. That might be something else to check.

Any thoughts or experiences? I would hate for some greater damage to happen to my car.

for the record, oil level is great, oil filter is new (Toyota OEM) about 900 kms ago, issue happened with old filter as well. The issue also seems to hapen after the car is warmed up. I had my timing belt, water pump and seals replaced about 1500 kms ago. Could it be related?

Help!

This post has been edited by Sinyk: Sep 4, 2013 - 3:51 PM

[6strngs]

Oil pump replacement is basically all of the work of a timing belt job, and removing the oil pan (you may not have to, but it may leak afterward if you don't.) Once you have the timing belt off, the oil pump is only a few more bolts worth of work. The oil pan only needs to come off because the bottom part of the pump seals to the pan so it may leak after. With step-by-step directions from the BGB (can be found at celicatech) you could change an oil pump in a weekend. The crankshaft pulley bolt is a little tricky but there are ways to get it off without air tools.