oil warning light!

[ambivert]

OK, so I've just read the wiki about this and am still not entirely sure what to do.

Oil warning light stays on after the engine is started from cold. As the engine warms up, the light goes out - very gradually - there is no sudden on/off change like it says in the wiki. It takes quite a long time to to fade out - it only really totally off once the engine is up to full running temp.

On checking the dipstick, I find that the oil level is OK, although sometimes a bit low if its been for a long run but nothing really out of the ordinary (it used about a litre to do 500 miles I think, although I had just changed the filter) I always top it up a bit anyway...

I've never seen it flashing, I don't think its one of those. Only my water light flashes (when I switch the ign on).

It always used to go out within a second or two of starting up - so I suspect that I may have an oil leak now, or maybe something more serious ...? Or could it just be something to do with aged wiring / a bad earth ...?

Is there something I can screw in / get a garage to test, to determine whether the engine really does have an oil leak? And does anyone recommend fitting oil pressure / temperature gauges for peace of mind?

1.9 manual 4-speed petrol (DG) devon poptop RHD 1984 A reg

[ermie571]

Hi mate,

mine's started doing this when damp. Dim then gradually goes out. Did it the first time 2 years back.

again, checked oil levels, all ok. Warm and dry, cold and dry, no worries. Rained 2 nights ago, bright light on ignition, dimmer when running, takes a few miles to go out completely. Put it down to electrics. Drove through a small f ord(river type), slowly,....bright red oil light. heart attack....stopped...check oil level, plently in and no leak (would have expected tons in the water and all over the engine and road if it had just suddenly let go) so drove on....light gradually dimmed to nothing.

Em
x

[Bert2]

Hi

sounds like an earth on the wiring or on the pressure switch which is drying out as you drive, remove the connector from the switch and give it a clean as well as the terminal it connects to, check its tight and dry when replaced then give it a test to see if its any better, I pressure washed my engine and had the same problem until it dried.

[ambivert]

thanks once again, both of you, very helpful!

[TechnoTurkey]

I'm very new to this and my oil light is on, 1.9 water cooled. Where is the sensor in the engine bay pls?

Cheers

[axeman]

there are 2 one is in the left side of the engine between the pushrod tubes (botton of the engine), you will have to remove the protective tin where to see the switch, and the outher is to the left of the main pully at the rear of the engine, it would be worth cheaking the earthing wire the links the engine to the body. located on the left top side of the engine in the middle (big battery like earthing cable).

neil

[TechnoTurkey]

Great, I'll check it out.

Thanks