Intermittent low oil pressure warning and CEL

I started up my 2017 TRD sport while it was cold and about 30 degrees and within the first quarter mile the low oil pressure warning would flash for a fraction of a second each time I hit a bump. I pulled over and checked the oil level since I had recently changed it, the oil level was right in the middle, though the engine hadn’t warmed up yet. I continued driving for about 5 minutes, parked for about 10 minutes and when I restarted it the CEL was on though the oil pressure warning wasn’t flashing when hitting bumps any more.

A couple hours later I started it and it did the same low oil warning when hitting bumps, I got the engine up to temp and shut it off for a few minutes and the oil level is about 3/4 the way to the upper hole. The CEL codes are P0012 and P0022.

I used valvoline

$52 0W-20 oil Toyota/ exxon mobil Case of 6 Quarts Full Synthetic TGMO SN 0W-20 Oil

0W-20 oil and a Mobil filter.

 

I my first thought is a faulty sensor. 30F is not a problem.

 

Would a faulty oil pressure sensor (or improperly connected) cause those CEL codes?

 

Highly likely yes. I’ve had a few sensors replaced over the last 20 years.

 

If you just google:

P0012 toyota
P0022 toyota

You will see that its your camshaft position sensor.

 

It's starving for oil in the top end. Something is wrong.

Has it ever had a timing cover? Miles?

I'd be concerned the pickup tube is plugged if I got this truck in my bay.

 

Has anyone checked the oil level yet?

 

The combination of the camshaft position sensor code as well as the intermittent low oil pressure light is a solid indication that you do indeed have something going on with the oil pressure. A clogged passage feeding the camshaft position system would not be throwing a low oil pressure signal, since the pressure sensor is tapped into the pressure passage directly adjacent to the filter on the bottom of the engine. 'Twere me, I'd pull the pan and give the pump a look-see. The simplest explanation is the something is clogging the oil pump pickup.

 

Oil level is good, never had a timing cover, 104,000 miles

 

@RadioActive2249 this is what I would do as well. Cam positioning and low oil pressure is not good. If you have a scan tool, I believe you can see what your actual oil pressure is in LiveData. Otherwise, I would get it towed to a shop and have them diagnose. Does not sound good though.

 

Pulled the oil pan, the pickup tube and screen are clear, small signs of moisture in the oil but nothing serious.

 

The plot thickens, it seems. If I recall, the oil pump is driven by a gear at the front of the engine; is it possible that a sheared key or some such is allowing the pump to slip? Were it not for the camshaft positioning error, I'd believe it was a faulty sensor, but the 2 symptoms you described being together still adds up to low oil pressure in my opinion. Too bad you couldn't stick a manual pressure gauge in there temporarily to see what the oil pressure really is.....

 

God, I miss the days of mechanical oil pressure gauges instead of these accursed 1/2 psi sensors and idiot lights. My 1958 John Deere 630 sheared the pin driving the oil pump on a -30 F morning, and because the pressure gauge didn't rise, I shut off the engine, used a tarp to tent up around the tractor, and stuck a propane heater in there. I pulled the pump, replaced the pin, and put it back together at a comfy 70 degrees in about an hour, and was back to work by noon. No harm, no foul. Those were the days.....

 

you need to take the low oil pressure switch and attach the oil pressure gauge.
The pressure at idle should be above 4 psi. 43-85psi at 3000 rpms.

the oil pump is inside the timing chain cover and is driven by the crankshaft. there is an oil pump relief valve and the spring that could be the issue.

Did you use a correct oil from a reputable marketplace?

 

I didn't think of the relief valve.....

 

It sits on the crankshaft, no key. Spline interface

 

If it truly only happens when you hit a bump, I wouldn't rule out an electrical short somewhere. Admittedly I'm a DYI guy and not a mechanic but wouldn't many of the other suggestions above be more related to temperature or RPM than the physical shock of hitting a bump?

 

OP, are you not hearing any unusual ticks or knocks? It could be damaged wires by rodents.

 

First i would make sure that its not 3/4 of the way full and make sure you have full 6.25 qts in the truck. secondi would inspect the connection of the oil pressure switch

 

Ok so after I made the post I started it up the next morning and the low oil pressure was much less intermittent and much more “few seconds at a time”. Needless to say I wasn’t happy about that. That’s when I pulled the oil pan. After that I pulled the oil filter since it was really the only relatively easy part of the system to inspect. I’ll see if I can post a picture of the filter in a reply, but it seems the filter that oreilys confirms fits my 2017 Tacoma with the 3.5l 2gr-fks, does not actually fit. The filter was compressed inside the housing and restricting flow. New filter and everything seems fine.