Engine oil light staying on

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fernsd
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Engine oil light staying on

Post by fernsd »

Hi, my engine oil light was flashing. Just put in 1.5 litres of oil and the light is now staying on. Please could someone advice

Thanks,
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by TONYT25T25 »

What does the dipstick marker level show when engine off and settled and does the level show different when running, ie shows that oil is moving from the sump.  Do not overfill check level first.
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by fernsd »

Hi, when still it’s showing slightly over max (2-3mm). When on its showing that the dipstick is being covered in oil. Does that indicate oil pump/switch are working?
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Oil level should be between min and max, not sure if the amount over would be a big issues but would be tempted to remove some oil when engine is cold.  If oil level on dipstick is moving that would suggest to me that the pump is working and moving oil around, next check would be the oil pressure sender switch to check if there is a loose connection there.  Also have you notice a more than usual rise in the coolant temperature gauge.
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by fernsd »

Thanks, will take a look at the switch.

No change in coolant temperature gauge. Temp staying below the half way mark as it always does.

Thanks,
Desmond
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by TONYT25T25 »

Good luck, maybe worth having a look at this link, bearing in mind that  some of it may not apply to your engine.

All engine faults/repairs/maintenance Dashboard oil pressure warnings and causes - VW T25(T3)-Tech (club8090.co.uk)
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by fernsd »

Thanks very much!
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by T25Convert »

Am I reading this correctly, your oil light was flashing, and when you checked you needed to add 1.5L to bring it back up to (slightly more than) full.

What were you doing when the oil light came on - i.e. where you driving?

How quickly did you loose the 1L of oil below the maximum?

What oil have you put in, and what was in there already?
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by Aidan »

if oil light does not go out when engine starts then you have a problem with one of these
a. low oil pressure, not making 3 psi at idle
b. low pressure switch not working correctly
c. wiring from low pressure switch to dash not working
d. dash circuit board issue

so test the wiring first, then the switch, the switch is closed when no pressure, open when at pressure; ideally check the oil pressure by fitting a wet gauge into the low pressure switch hole

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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by Mocki »

1983 , oil light should not flash , it’s a solid on or off , glowing dim at low revs type of set up , so I’m guessing it’s got the later clock set fitted ? Issues with wiring seems a fair bet .

1.5l to get to the mark means it was way off the bottom of the stick , by more than half a litre . 

on every WBX engine I have owned , if you fill to the full mark , it will burn it down to 3/4 within 500 miles then stay there till oil change time .
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by fernsd »

T25Convert wrote: 25 Jul 2021, 18:49 Am I reading this correctly, your oil light was flashing, and when you checked you needed to add 1.5L to bring it back up to (slightly more than) full.

What were you doing when the oil light came on - i.e. where you driving?

How quickly did you loose the 1L of oil below the maximum?

What oil have you put in, and what was in there already?

Hi,

Yes the light began to flash but not a consistent flash, it was more like a loose connection. I assumed it was low oil level so topped it with around 1.5 litres. My dipstick is not the original T25 one and does not have a min/max level. When I purchased this the previous owner suggested as long it the dipstick has a bit of oil at the end of it I should be fine, which is why I am not sure if I had the right oil levels.

After topping 1.5 litres of oil its now staying on continuously.

"What were you doing when the oil light came on - i.e. where you driving? "
Yes, drove for around 20 mins to get to Halfords to get the 1.5 litres of oil

As of this morning. I have drained the oil out completely and topped it with 4.5 litres of oil to make sure I have the right level, changed oil filter too. I have put in Morris Servol Multigrade Engine Oil 15/40w, 5 Litre. Light still stays on.

Any suggestions please?
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by fernsd »

Aidan wrote: 26 Jul 2021, 06:58 if oil light does not go out when engine starts then you have a problem with one of these
a. low oil pressure, not making 3 psi at idle
b. low pressure switch not working correctly
c. wiring from low pressure switch to dash not working
d. dash circuit board issue

so test the wiring first, then the switch, the switch is closed when no pressure, open when at pressure; ideally check the oil pressure by fitting a wet gauge into the low pressure switch hole

Thank you. Will take at the wiring and switch to start with. Was not able to locate the switch, from what I could find on the internet so far it seems to be near the oil filter - is that correct?

Thanks!
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by fernsd »

Mocki wrote: 26 Jul 2021, 07:51 1983 , oil light should not flash , it’s a solid on or off , glowing dim at low revs type of set up , so I’m guessing it’s got the later clock set fitted ? Issues with wiring seems a fair bet .

1.5l to get to the mark means it was way off the bottom of the stick , by more than half a litre . 

on every WBX engine I have owned , if you fill to the full mark , it will burn it down to 3/4 within 500 miles then stay there till oil change time .

Yes the light began to flash but not a consistent flash, it was more like a loose connection. It has stayed a solid on since I topped up the oil though so not sure if its a loose connection in the wiring?
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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by Aidan »

low pressure switch is between the middle pushrod tubes left side of engine, there should be a brown wire coming up the front of the engine from behind the shield that covers the pushrod tubes
 

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Re: Engine oil light staying on

Post by fernsd »

Aidan wrote: 28 Jul 2021, 12:58 low pressure switch is between the middle pushrod tubes left side of engine, there should be a brown wire coming up the front of the engine from behind the shield that covers the pushrod tubes
 

Thanks very much. That is very helpful!
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