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[kittern]

Grand Cherokee CRD 2006 .. Just started towing a large caravan 1500 kilos(ish) .. level dual carriageway at steady 55 with cruise control - came to a hill - box changed down and the oil pressure light came on - switched off cruise, box changed up, light went out - waited in lay-by for 10 minutes, checked oil, just above max position - next morning checked oil level, ok but right on max mark, level ground - towed ok (without cruise) till steep hill then as soon as box changed down oil pressure light came on again - drove home gently rest of the way - no more problems ... so ... full of all (too full?) ... water temp normal all the time ... what can it be please? I notice the handbook doesn't recommend cruise when towing except for non hilly stuff - fair enough but this started again next day without cruise at the first sign of a hill.

[Mike Pavelin]

Are you sure it's the oil light?

[kittern]

The handbook calls it oil pressure light ... picture of a little red oil-can.
(as far as I can remember from yesterday without going out to have another look!)

[Mike Pavelin]

Is it still in 3 yr/60000 mile warranty?

[PtP]

Whilst I know Dr. Mike is the best one to help you with your problem, I’m looking to buy the same model Jeep and asked about computer error codes to check. I was pointed to this site by another member: http://www.allpar.com/fix/computer-codes.html But I think there is some doubt if this procedure will work on your Jeep.

[kittern]

Yes it is ... but last service at non Chrysler place and nearest dealer not at all handy! I just thought maybe there was a problem with possibly too much oil affecting the pressure when under hefty load. been out in it this morning, not towing, and gave it some welly ... no problems showing.

[Panic mechanic!]

its probably just a case of the oil getting a little too warm and thinning,as the oil gets hot it thins and the pressure drops, used to happen all the time on  older cars like beetles., if its a fairly big caravan you could add a larger oil cooler to help it.

[Mike Pavelin]

Being very slightly over max isn't likely to cause an oil pressure problem unless there was evidence of foaming on the dipstick, but this usually only happens in overfilled automatic transmissions, not engines. I would drain half a pint off and try again and also check that this garage that serviced it used the right oil and filter. If all is ok and the oil light is still coming on get it to a dealer while it's still in warranty and get the problem checked and on record in case it goes pop.

[Dave69]

another slightly different note, have you driven it without towing and tried to drive it hard. i.e put the auto box into 3rd and accelerate very hard (clear road etc) and see if the problem reoccurs. If it is an oil flow problem then it should show itself by the oil pressure light showing.

what revs were you reading when it first happened ? if it is higher than normal driving then you could have restricted flow through the filter and that is affecting the sensor causing it to show a low pressure. this might lead to the thought of a cleaned used filter possibly being fitted or a piece of rubber stuck in the oil pressure sensor fitting

[kittern]

Thanks for the suggestions guys .... checked it again this morning with the Jeep parked on a down slope and it's now reading half way between the marks! Admittedly it's easier to read now it's a bit blacker whereas on Saturday it was completely clean from it's oil change. If a down slope means it's reading higher with the stick at the front of the engine then maybe it was short of oil all along!
Would using a non Chrysler oil filter make a difference? My man might have used something else ... I'll have to find out if this is the case.

[PtP]

Would using a non Chrysler oil filter make a difference? My man might have used something else ..................

I cannot see this making any difference. There are plenty of filter brands out there and whilst some, I’m sure, are better than others I cannot see this being the root of your problem. I just cannot imagine the cheaper filter manufacturer, supplier and or fitter would stay in business for very long if their products were to blame for early engine failure.

Any luck in trying to find the computer fault codes, or didn't the method in the link work?

[kittern]

Afraid I wouldn't know what to do with them if I found them .... after finding the oil on the dipstick was  between the marks this morning I've put the best part of a litre in which has brought it up to max. Maybe it was low all along ... can't figure why it appeared to be over max at the weekend though .... it looked very clean - maybe it was just off the bottom of the tube .... dunno!