Q: Last night I was driving home and I heard this knocking noise, a minute later the noise went away and my check engine light came on.

asked by on February 03, 2017

Oil light was coming on as I hit the brakes.

My car has 179000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Warning Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. The noise you heard could have been the engine knocking due to a lack of engine oil. If the brake pedal is pressed and the oil light comes on, then the oil level could be low causing the oil pressure to drop as the oil pickup tube is unable to get the oil into the engine. Check the oil level on the engine and fill to the full line if its low. If the oil is full, then the pickup tube could be loose and moving around. If you need further assistance with your oil light coming on, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Condensation inside left headlight
Hi there. Headlamp assemblies have a vent so they can breathe with temperature change. They can let in moisture at times. It should clear up after several days of use. If it doesn’t, the housing has a leak and it...
My BMW M6 is making odd noises in either the transmission or differential
Hi, thanks for writing in. Almost certainly, what you were smelling was the clutch as you suspect. And, both the clutch and the limited slip mechanism in the differential may be damaged. The 2006 M6 Sequential Manual Gearbox ("automatic") is...
My car has an electrical failure due to rain leaking inside, what do I need to repair?
This could end up being a costly repair unless the pigtail replacements for the wiring harness are available. First, the water intrusion has to be repaired. The water has to have been leaking inside the vehicle for some time or...
My Check Engine Light is on - 2008 Mazda Tribute
Hi there: The little engine icon is typically the check engine light, which is triggered when an error code is activated and stored in the ECU of your Mazda Tribute. If the engine is running hot, it's most likely that...
I spun on some ice. Now my car doesn't seem to have any oil pressure.
You didn't say weather you had a "rough landing." If in the process of spinning you ran over some debris or maybe a curb, you could have damaged your oil pan and lost your oil. If you haven't already looked...
Automatic car starts, but won't drive! Please help!
It sounds like an internal failure with the transmission. Automatics rely on hydraulic pressure and friction created by the clutch packs. If pressure drops, due ti a pump failure for example, there will be zero, or not enough, pressure, in...
95 nissian maxima have replaced fuel pump, crank sensors both still car stalling and sometimes won't start
Hi Sonja. Thanks for contacting us today. Usually when a fuel pump or crankshaft sensor is not working, the vehicle will not start at all. It's more likely that you have a fuel system restriction or the engine is having...
excessive belt material residue wearing onto idler pulley coating or paint on idler pulley wearing abnormally
Hi Scott. Thanks for contacting us today. Any time a serpentine belt is replaced, it's recommended to replace the pulley and tensioner at the same time. Older tensioners and pulleys will create more heat when they are older and can...
replaced automatic transmission on 04 outback H6. All done, but no action from starter what so ever. Battery is fully charged.
Check for battery voltage to the push on terminal on the starter solenoid with the key held in the start position. If the heavy gauge starter positive cable has no voltage drop, and there is battery voltage to the solenoid...

Related articles

P0097 OBD-II Trouble Code: Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input
P0097 P0097 code definition Intake Air Temperature Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input What the P0097 code means P0097 is the OBD-II generic code indicating the engine control module (ECM) has determined that the intake air temperature sensor 2 (IAT2) input...
P2446 OBD-II Trouble Code: Secondary Air Injection System Pump Stuck on Bank 2
P2446 code means there is an issue with the vehicles pressure sensor circuit/secondary air injection pump often due too water from exhaust leaks.
P0588 OBD-II Trouble Code: Cruise Control Vent Control Circuit High
P0588 means an issue with the cruise control vent control circuit, caused by a faulty vent control solenoid or damage cruise control circuitry.