One of the most common warning lights that you can get in Renault cars is the “oil pressure fault” warning.
Oil pressure is a crucial part of your car’s engine and if it goes off, then you should get it checked out as soon as possible. If left unattended it can lead to engine failure.
Fortunately, I personally know a lot about this warning light and what it means since I worked on a few Renault cars with the same problem.
In this article, I will explain what “oil pressure fault” on your Renault means, the main causes, and how to fix the problem. let’s get to it.
What Does Renault’s “Oil Pressure Fault” Warning Mean?
In simple terms, this means your Renault oil pressure sensor has detected that your oil pressure is too low or too high. This can be due to a number of reasons, including a faulty sensor or faulty oil pump.
Below, I will go over the leading causes of this warning light being on, as well as how to fix it.
What Is the Main Cause of the “Oil Pressure Fault” Warning Light on a Renault?
Whether you have the Renault Clio, Renault Megane, Renault Traffic, Renault Scenic, or Renault Master, the causes for this warning light are the same for all Renaults:
Here are some common causes of the problem, based on my experience as an auto technician.
1. Clogged Oil Pump
The oil pump is responsible for pumping the engine oil to all areas where it’s needed.
If this pump gets clogged with sludge or silicone, it will not be able to do its job properly, and the oil pressure will drop off. This is a common cause for the “Oil Pressure Fault” warning light to come on.
This is probably the most common cause for the Oil Pressure Fault warning light to come on.
2. Faulty Oil Pressure Sensor
Another common cause of the Oil Pressure Fault warning light coming on is a faulty oil pressure sensor.
As the name suggests the oil pressure sensor is responsible for sensing the engine oil pressure.
If it gets faulty, then it may not send the correct information to your Renault’s ECU, causing the warning light to come on.
3. Low Engine Oil
In extremely rare cases, low engine oil can also cause the Oil Pressure Fault warning light to come on.
This is because the ECU needs a certain amount of oil in the engine to operate properly.
If there isn’t enough oil, then it will send a message to your Renault’s dashboard telling you that there is something wrong with your car’s oil pressure.
Symptoms of Oil Pressure Faults in Renault Vehicles
- Oil Pressure Warning Light: The most obvious symptom of an oil pressure fault is the oil pressure warning light on the dashboard. If this light comes on, it’s important to check the oil level and pressure immediately to avoid engine damage.
- Engine Noise: Another common symptom of an oil pressure fault is engine noise. This can include ticking, knocking, or other unusual sounds. If you hear these noises.
- Low Oil Pressure: If your Renault vehicle is experiencing low oil pressure, it can cause serious engine damage. As I mentioned this is mainly caused by a bad sensor, damaged engine oil pump or low oil
- Loss of Engine Power: If your Renault vehicle is experiencing a loss of engine power, it can be a sign of an oil pressure fault. This can be caused by a lack of oil pressure, which can lead to engine damage.
How to Fix Oil Pressure Fault on a Renault
Now let’s look at how you can fix the Oil Pressure Fault warning light on your Renault.
The first thing that you should do is check your oil level and make sure that it’s not too low. If it is, then top up the engine with a few liters of new oil.
If the oil level is fine then the next thing I recommend you check is the oil pressure sensor/switch since is a relatively inexpensive fix and this sensor is prone to failure over time.
The last thing to check if the oil pressure sensor doesn’t fix the problem is the oil pump, an oil pump can’t really be fixed and needs to be replaced so if your engine is making a clicking or ticking noise, then chances are that the oil pump has failed.
The motor will still run for a little while but if you continue driving like this you could damage other components in the engine and cause more problems than just a warning light on your dash.
Additional Sources
https://www.repairsmith.com/blog/engine-oil-pressure-sensor/
https://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/common-oil-pump-failure-symptoms
https://blog.amsoil.com/low-oil-pressure-symptoms-and-causes/