Oil light on - any ideas

[ajcerb]

...and before anyone says the obvious I've checked the oil level cold having left the dipstick out all night and it is on max, oil clean and clear - recent 30k service.

Was going round a left hander last night and the oil warning light came on. Was flickering a bit so i stopped. Started engine again, still on but oil pressure gauge reading ok and water temp normal. Was v close to home so got back slowly.

Left it overnight, checked the oil level this morning and spot on max. Started the car, let it warm up at 1500 rpm, - no light. Headed out onto the open road and after about a mile light comes on. Initially was flickering a bit and if i blipped the throttle went out. Then light stayed on so drove mile back home and took the sodding bus to work which is a deeply depressing experience.

Would appreciate input from anyone with experience of this or ideas. Really really need some good news on this as have just shelled out rather a lot on service, clutch, starter motor, rear discs, etc.

Thanks AJ

[longbow]

Your oil gauge is mechanical so will tell the truth, and since the oil pressure switch and oil capillary are co-located I reckon your switch is faulty. A flickering switch also points at an elecrical problem with the switch.

[satman]

Oil pressure on gauge??...could be a dodgy wiring connection on oil pressure switich...and I dont know if the 'big fuse' has any part in this. Have you had any other weird things happen?
If oil pressure gauge showing ok...my bet its one of the above!

[RUSSELLM]

The turn left one is when your oil level starts to get towards the middle of the dipstick (you should find that the oil pressure needle heads towards zero as well)

The oil light coming on, and you blip-ping the throttle to clear it, is the symptoms of a failing "oil pressure relief spring", again as the oil light came on, I would have expected the gauge to go to zero. You blip-ping the throttle is forcing it open.

Panic, ye not. The spring is less than a tenner & I think they normally charge me an hour's labour, to replace it.

[Byff]

longbow said:

Your oil gauge is mechanical so will tell the truth, and since the oil pressure switch and oil capillary are co-located I reckon your switch is faulty. A flickering switch also points at an elecrical problem with the switch.

I concur.

The oil pressure switch isn't that much to buy - a couple of quid from memory, and it sounded easy to fit, but me being lazy, just waited until the next time it went in the garage and had it done then.

As long as the oil presure gauge is giving a good reading, you should be ok.

[RUSSELLM]

Ignore everything I said, re reading your thread, the oil pressure is ok.

[ajcerb]

thank you all - very grateful to you and another example of Pistonheads at its best. Big weight off my mind - cheers all.

[dean_ratpac]

also to check is you batt, the batt and oil light i've heard been wired the wrong way round. just a thought.