Oil pressure light flashing

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rosar
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Oil pressure light flashing

Post by rosar »

Hi there,

I have a 1990 1.9 Watercooled with 6000 miles on reconditioned engine. Had engine flush and service before going on trip across Europe this summer. Runs really well but oil pressure light has been flashing fairly often during the trip. This happens when coming to a stop after a long run on the motorway (ie at tolls or an exit) and light stops flashing once we move off. Also happened during mountain driving, again when coming to a stop with engine running rather than when actually moving. Seemed to happen more when outside temperature very hot. Had engine checked by a garage and apparently oil all looked in good working order, they thought there was nothing to be concerned about with the engine. Is the problem likely to be a faulty sensor? Or are there other possibilities? Is best thing to get sensor replaced and see if problem continues?

This has happened previous to this trip but only on 3-4 occasions over last year whereas on this trip it happened almost daily (but driving much more/further than any other time since having the van!)

Any thoughts or suggestions much appreciated!

Many thanks

Cheeky V
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Re: Oil pressure light flashing

Post by Cheeky V »

"Seemed to happen more when outside temperature very hot."

hit the nail on the head, hot engine = hot oil = lower oil pressure
so when you're at idle the pump is turning slow and in turn the light flickers until you press the throttle :ok

I get this on Cheeky V and have an oil test gauge coming in the morning to see what the actually pressure is when this happens (have an electric one up front but pretty sure its not calibrated properly)

I'll let you know how i get on

What grade oil are you using? 10/40?
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itchyfeet
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Re: Oil pressure light flashing

Post by itchyfeet »

The lower pressure switch has to close to trigger the flashing light so unlikely to be a bad connection could be a faulty switch but could also be genuine low oil pressure, get it checked or buy a guage as pics and check yourself

Your higher pressure switch only triggers the buzzer over 2000 rpm and the switch is opposite i.e. opens on low pressure so as you are not hearing this its just possible somebody has grounded that switch wire, a common mod worth checking it to be sure.

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ghost123uk
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Re: Oil pressure light flashing

Post by ghost123uk »

As said, get the pressure checked with a proper gauge and take it from there. If it checks out OK, then swap that sensor. If it doesn't check out ok, then

rosar wrote:I have a 1990 1.9 Watercooled with 6000 miles on reconditioned engine.

Who reconditioned it ?

Is it still under guarantee ? (I would have thought with only 6,000 miles it should be !)

If it is under guarantee, take care you don't do owt to invalidate it ;)
Got a new van, but it's a 165bhp T4 [shock horror] Accurate LPG Station map here

rosar
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Re: Oil pressure light flashing

Post by rosar »

Thanks all! Will get pressure checked and go from there.

Yes it is still under guarantee so I'll be able to get it checked out and any problems rectified once summer holidays are over but had been told by a mechanic that this is quite a common problem with T25s and not necessarily something to worry about so wanted to canvas some other opinions from those in the know...

This is really helpful, thanks for the suggestions and photos!

rosar
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Re: Oil pressure light flashing

Post by rosar »

ps yes Cheeky V I'm using 10/40 oil

Light never flashes when van is actually moving, only at stationary. So has never flashed over 2000rpm - which is when buzzer would also sound if I've understood correctly?

Thanks!

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itchyfeet
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Re: Oil pressure light flashing

Post by itchyfeet »

rosar wrote:ps yes Cheeky V I'm using 10/40 oil

Light never flashes when van is actually moving, only at stationary. So has never flashed over 2000rpm - which is when buzzer would also sound if I've understood correctly?

Thanks!

As i say buzzer could have been silenced, its common for this to be done when there are wiring problems causing to to flase trigger, troubles is when you need it its not there.
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