Oil Light

[Dazzledan]

Hi,

Last July I brought myself a 1983 A reg T25 camper with viking conversion which I'm more than pleased with. The van runs great and I've already travelled quite a lot around the coast but was aware that the van really needed an oil change. The oil sump plug had been cross threaded and so was just spinning around and after a spend of £150 I had a helicoil fitted and changed the oil. The guy who changed the oil has overfilled slightly and so I'm worried that it could do some possible damage so I plan to drain some out. After leaving the van on the driveway over the winter months I managed to start the van up but the oil light stays on on the dash. Can anyone tell me if its due to the fact that the oil is overfilled and there is a pressure build up. Will be draining the oil in the next few days, but am interested to know your views.

Cheers

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

the oil light staying on is unlikely to be because of an overfill of oil, unless someone knows better - the light comes on for low pressure. There are probably two pressure switches on these vans I believe (guessing it's something like a DG engine), you may only have one, but you'll always help people out here by saying what engine you have.

I would hazard a guess that there is an electrical fault or a problem with the low pressure switch. The black/blue wire which goes to the low pressure switch will cause the light to come on if earthed, so I would check that. If you have a high rpm/low oil pressure switch (yellow wire), then this will cause the light to come on over 2000 rpm if not earthed (and probably a buzzer to sound). There are commonly problems with the multipin connector, and the PCB behind the speedo often can cause problems too - have a look here for an explanation:

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Al ... and_causes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Does the light go out at all when you rev or is it just constant?

Hope that helps a bit.

Ewen

[Dazzledan]

Thanks Ewen,

Well I took the van for a quick drive around the block and the light dimmed somewhat so that you could just about make out that it was on.

My van is 1.9 petrol 4 cylinder watercooled.

[ewenmaclean]

Hello again,

what happens if you disconnect the wire from the low oil pressure switch? If the light is still on then you probably have an earth leak somewhere. Also I have heard of the switches leaking oil which contaminates the electrical connexion - worth checking...

Any tests you can do to alter the behaviour will help in diagnosing. It's always worth cleaning up earth crowns and the 14 pin connector to the clocks.

Good luck!

Ewen

[Dazzledan]

Thanks Ewen,

Will have a look soon. Stuck on nightshifts at the minute so its work and sleep. Really appreciate you help.

[Dazzledan]

Hi Ewen,

Just thought I'd let you know that I've sorted the oil light issue. I cleaned the oil light sensor underneath the van and the light on the dash has gone out, or should I say its so dim you have to cup your hands around it. Definately a bad earth I think.

Thanks for you help and advice though

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

thanks for letting us know. If you disconnect the wire the light should go out completely - I'd still check that

Ewen

[Dazzledan]

Ewen,
Yes removed the connector from the switch and the light went out totally, so connection is good. Still getting a very dim light so I think the next thing to do is invest in a new switch. What do you think?

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

I think probably oil is contaminating the switch contacts and the problem will recur. New switch'd be a good idea. Brickwerks do reliable ones.

Good to know though that you don't have to trace a tricky earth leak!


Ewen

[t25 dubber]

Hi, sorry for hijacking this thread a little, but my oil light problem is unless im using the accelerator it flashes. I recently have done the oil change just after christmas after getting some from Brickwerks as pressies. Its not flashing when the throttle is a little down but even if i dip the clutch in any gear before comming up to a junction etc it flashes unless the throttle cable sticks a little. Any ideas??

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

do you mean you got some new switches or new oil?

First off - check you're using the right oil and there's enough of it and check the oil pressure with a "wet" pressure tester - then if you're sure the oil pressure is ok then start checking the oil pressure warning system.

If you have changed the oil pressure switches, are you sure you got the right ones in the right places? There are different types depending on the engine. There's quite a good guide to how the warning system works here:

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Al ... and_causes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ewen

[bizzman1]

Ewen - thanks for the guide. Anyone tried this so far?

[Ian Hulley]

I take it you are using 15/40 MINERAL oil ?

Ian