HELP! I have a 98 Dodge Caravan. The oil light came on...?

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Maine Landscapes

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I had the oil changed a week ago and had it in the garage for an inspection where I spent $1500. It ran fine for almost 2 days, it is cold here and I was on my way home, the light came on again, the motor starting pinging, and lost power but was not pounding, it was not overheating and the engine light was not on. It all happened really fast. I had been driving for about an hour. No visible leaks or anything else of note. I checked the oil and it is full. I know they used 5w-30 and replaced the oil filter. It did this once before I had the oil changed, but I thought it stalled because I ran out of gas. Is the oil pump going. I am desperate. Please help me.
 
It sounds like it certainly could be,
Sometimes the screen on the bottom of the pumps "sump"
gets clogged up with crud and the pump can't get enough oil
thru the clogged screen to pump.
When the weather is cold it gets worse because the oil gets a bit thicker.

The clattering noise (probably not pinging) was your valve lifters not getting enough lubrication.
You will destroy your engine if you continue to drive it under these conditions.
you need to have it TOWED to a competent garage and have the oil pan removed and the pump and sump inspected.
It's possible that your main bearings are super worn and the oil pressure is too low, but I doubt it.
 
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