Oil temp light on, no pressure on gauge, engine won't turn over

[capriceragtop]

Hey all,

I have a 1998 Expedition with the 5.4L with 380,000 miles and I'm having a concerning issue.

Yesterday, I was running errands for work. I stopped at one of my vendors, turned the car off and went inside.

When I came back out, the engine wouldn't turn over. The oil temp light was on, and the oil pressure gauge had no reading. I checked the oil, and it was low, so I added a quart.

Tried cranking again, and the motor wouldn't budge. The starter engages the flywheel, but the motor won't spin.

Could a faulty oil pressure sending unit be the culprit? In other words, if it isn't working properly, would it show no oil, thereby not allowing the engine to turn over? Or am I screwed and my motor has seized?

It' s my mother's car and she's in tears thinking the car is toast. She loves this car and I want to be able to tell her it's just a faulty sensor and not a cooked engine.

Sorry if I posted to the wrong area. I'm new here.

Thanks!

 

[khpony]

Just a guess but is the solenoid clicking when you try to start it? If so you may have a bad battery.

 

[capriceragtop]

Well, I haven't tried jumping it, but it does sound as though the starter is getting full juice and engaging the flywheel, but either the engine is stuck, or there's not enough torque in the starter to turn it over.

I tried turning the block over by hand, but I can't tell if I'm actually turning it or not.

 

[Lane24]

When my oil pressure sending unit crapped out... the engine still ran.

 

[capriceragtop]

Ah, well that answers that question.

I can't tell if she's seized or there's an electrical issue in the starter. Guess she'll go to the shop Monday.

 

[masterhacker]

That may be a head/intake gasket. when the head gasket went on my grand prix it wouldn't turn over because it had a bunch of antifreeze in one of the cylinders, i cranked it like 30 times in a row for about 1 second each time and it turned over finally. also happened on my buddys lawn mower when he used waay too much starting fluid

 

[CARO'S98EB]

best case scenario is you have a starting system problem- starter battery solenoid... I would think you would of heard some noises or somthing if the eng let go before you shut it off.