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Sorry forgot I made this thread originally. My oil pressure light keeps going off and on, seems to be a loose wire? I recently replaced the oil pressure switch. I can only assume the wire is loose or its a bad unit? Recently it has become solid. Usually the light kicks on after 10-15 minutes but turns off and on randomly when driving. Oil level is good. I drained it and checked. Basically full. I was hoping the oil pressure Guage would tell me an accurate reading of the actual pressure, and not just a light that is a mystery of the cause lol
Sure, a bad sensor or wire could if the oil pressure light go on and off, But, Occam’s Razer… the simplest cause is the most probable; the oil pressure is low. Bet it’s on most often when the engine’s hot and it’s at idle. Is that the case?
Does the oil light come on and stay on, rock steady, with the ignition switch on but the engine not running? (Checking for proper dummy light operation is a test everyone should do once in a while anyway.)
What limits the usefulness of an oil pressure gauge is that it only shows the pressure at one place - at the sensor.
This discussion reminds me of a buddy who has a Beemer with no dipstick. Checks the oil level from the driver seat.
PSA, most cars don’t work that way. The oil light means shut down, NOW!!! Figure out why later.
BTW, for the record, I think adding an oil pressure gauge is a great idea, as long as you understand what it can and can’t do. By the time tells you the oil level is low it’s prolly too late.
Last edited by PulpFriction; Aug 23, 2024 at 03:23 PM.
Is it worth my time to ask if there is a code P0520? That is the code that would indicate the EOP circuit is bad.
The switch sends a ground signal to the dash board light. It only connects to ground when no oil pressure. I suppose the wire could be chafed and occasionally hits ground. Otherwise, you need to hook a gauge up to check the oil pump. NEVER drive with an oil light on!
Oil leaking in the interior was always my pet peeve with aftermarket oil pressure gauges, yuck!
I was never thrilled when my service manager handed me a set of these to install in some kids used Camaro or Rustang! Most times the gauges and labour to install cost more then they paid for the car! I always would remove these from any used car I purchased.
I used those in several of ,my old rods.... never had an issue with them leaking? A friend Did have one where the plastic oil line melted on the exhaust manifold....that was a mess
Is it worth my time to ask if there is a code P0520? That is the code that would indicate the EOP circuit is bad.
The switch sends a ground signal to the dash board light. It only connects to ground when no oil pressure. I suppose the wire could be chafed and occasionally hits ground. Otherwise, you need to hook a gauge up to check the oil pump. NEVER drive with an oil light on!
I'm torn between tossing money at it or just swapping the motor at this point.
Oil pressure gauge does not have anything to do with oil volume, unless it is completely empty. I know this from blowing an engine up by cross threading the drain plug.
If the light is on when the key is on engine off the wires are good.
