1995 Ford Windstar but the previous owner replaced the engine, (from a Taraus or something?)
Don't know if it was rebuilt or salvaged but I've owned it since 2006 and it is a champion. 3.8 liter V-6 put in sideways (Doh!) because front wheel drive.
At idle I'm getting a low oil pressure idiot light. I turned up the idle a little and it's been months since I;ve seen that light come on while waiting at stoplights but now it is happening again, on occasion. It's intermittent, only happens once in a while. Someone mentioned it may be a lose timing chain issue but that makes no sense to me, how that could be related.
Also, I have a secondary issue. Had the auto transmission completely rebuilt 3 or 4 years ago by a very reputable shop but now every couple weeks it has trouble finding and getting into 2nd gear. After a minute it is fixed and doesn't happen for another couple weeks.
All fluid levels are correct.
So what's going on? Is my oil pump failing? Is the trans getting confusing signals from the engine computer? I drive this car very gently and it seems that my feather touch on the throttle is when the tranny acts weird, but if I drive it hard it works fine.
Your opinion as to cause(s) and should I just take it to the Ford dealer and pay (use to be) $75 for a diagnosis? I can't get to the oil filter because it is up against the firewall.
Added (1). EDIT: 3d question: the darned warning sound comes on now that the weather is warming up, apparently it thinks a door is open. I have tried the Wd-40 on the sliding door contacts and that worked well all winter but now it's doing it again. How can I make that noise stop?