while i was driving with my friend in his 98 Trans Am his check guage light suddenly came on along with a ticking noise that sounded like an exhaust leak and had no oil pressure. WE IMMEDIATELY pulled over and checked the oil....the oil was full considering he just got the oil changed yesterday. What could this possibly be??????? When the check guage light is not on the oil pressure is very low almost near 0. Could it just be the guage or is it actually the pump????

 

Sounds like the pump to me

 

He started the car today and the oil pressure is a little below 40 at idle. Do you think its still the oil pump ? If they used a cheap oil filter where he got the oil changed could that be the problem ?

 

I'd try replacing the oil filter since he just got it changed. A friend of mine changed his oil with an off brand filter a few months ago and his oil pressure guage wouldn't read above 20, even under acceleration - replaced it with a quality filter and the pressure returned to normal.

 

I think were going to change the oil and the filter today if i get ahold of him before napa closes.