Oil Pressure Indicator Light

[ste_francis]

I have a 94 Chim, tonnes of fun, so glad I bought her in the summer. Driving home tonight the red LED at the bottom of the dash board was flickering, then shone out brightly, not good I thought to myself. Only a mile from home, thought the idea best was to get there, the light went out a moment later, then started flickering and came on full once again, by this point I was home. The car seemed OK, all gauges reading fine. Once I was home I got out the owners pouch and found out that it is an oil pressure switch, but the oil gauge was fine. Here come the questions can this LED be caused by anything else, how can I test it, can I get a new one, where from, can I fix it, is it a common fault, where is it on the engine. Any help would be most appreciated.

[jimothy]

When you say the oil gauge was fine, do you mean the pressure gauge?
Have you actually checked the oil levels?

[ste_francis]

Check the oil once a month, put a touch in about two weeks ago

[v8 racing]

I am probably going to make a prat of myself now!!! but isnt the red light the handbrake? i thought the orange one was oil?

[ste_francis]

The handbrake light is on the bottom facia, the light in question is at the bottom of the main dashboard, just above the steering wheel

[v8 racing]

I thought they were above each other? i know i have had some beers but.......!! what does your book say the orange light is then?

[ste_francis]

The leather bound book that came with the car says that the amber one is an ignition warning light

the handbrake light definatley comes on on the lower facia adjacent to the radio

[v8 racing]

I willcheck when i get to work in the morning!! anyway if it is the oil warning light and the pressure gauge is working fine i would just replace the light sender i will dig the part number out tomorow if you need it

[TATTOODROB]

im not 100percent sure but i think this has been a topic on here before and on some cars,these lights were the opposite to what the owners book says(mine is opposite),so it might be your ignition light thats flickering,mine does occasionally at low revs.so might be your alternator on way out or belt slipping or even snapped,or water on electrics....was it raining heavy???try some old topic searches or someone with more knowledge on here will see your post soon,goodluck and let us know what it is,rob

[andy-w]

i agree with tat2drob....bottom light on mine is ignition=red middle amber=ignition top = god knows what....on mine i think it is the imobilzer <-- been down the pub and dont think i am spelling too well!!!!

[Parrot of doom]

Ste, the manual is probably wrong. Mine was. Top = alarm. Middle = oil. Bottom = leccy.

[v8 racing]

Tried 3 cars today the orange was as i thought oil pressure and the red was ignition which is what i meant not handbrake to much beer last night!

[kenny chim 4]

I have a late 94 Chimaera and the red dash light is the alternator lamp- contrary to what the manual says.
The glowing lamp means that there are not enough amps going back to the battery and usually happens in winter- ie using lots of current due to lights, wipers etc.

The first thing to check is the 100 amp fuse on the chassis rail.

[ste_francis]

Thanx for all the help with this one. This is the first fault that I've had with my chim, so as you can guess, I had a bit of a little panic. When this happened it was on the first frosty night that we have had all year, so guess that might be the problem, just like her owner, she hates the cold!!!! One a further note, do most owners ignore this or should I really be looking to cure this problem.

[Parrot of doom]

Also, don't expect there to be a 100A fuse - mine didn't have one, and that was a 94 L.

[ste_francis]

Today the little tinker wouldn't start after I popped in my mates house, guess I'm going to have to do something about it, where would you guys say is best to start. Replace the belt or the alternator, working from my limited knowledge of cars, I've found the tems in question, the belt does not sound like it is slipping, so is the alternator the best guess. Where is best best place to get one, and what cost am I looking at?

[the dodger]

Late on this one...... I could have confirmed from the off that it's the ign/alt warning light. Yep, the handbook is wrong. You should never ignore any warning light!

It's going to be either the alternator or the 'fan' belt - as it's flickered a bit lately I'd start with the belt. Change it if it looks anything other than new and make sure you get the correct tension.

Cheers.

[TATTOODROB]

Hello,if your red light is still on all the time then i suspect belt slipping a lot or alternator shot....you should be able to get someone to test this at local garage or alternator reconditioner,where you could also exchange yours there if no good.as it wouldnt start either you have hot start problem or is not chargin battery,let us know how you get on,rob

[tafford]

Look at my previous post - cost was about £45 for replacement alternator which took about ten minutes to fit www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=216821&f=8&h=0

[ste_francis]

Thanx for the help, will get the alternator tested and go from there