Re: Question on a 1985 Pontiac Parisienne wagon

If this engine is still carbureted I would think a carb kit is in
order. It sounds like a needle-and-seat/float issue to make it run that
dirty and idle that low (which would give you a flickering oil light).

James,
Thanks for the reply. You may be exactly right. I'll make sure they
put 10W30 oil in at the next oil change, just to make sure Vuarra's
suggestion isn't the answer - but I think it's more serious than that.
(I know the last time it was in the shop, the mechanic mentioned that
he "changed the oil a second time" in an attempt to get the oil light
to stop flickering, and it didn't do any good. Maybe he just put 5W30
in both times - but you'd think, given the circumstances, he wouldn't
have done so?)

It is a carbureted engine, and my folks told me a rebuilt carb. was put
in the vehicle about a year before they gave it to me - and it's
possible it was never really adjusted properly.