oil light

bezza911 · 02-26-2010, 10:20 PM

OK,
I just pulled out my well maintained 911 from 3 months storage, started every weekend while stored. Yesterday while driving the oil light was flickering off and on. I checked the oil levels, all was good, is there an oil pump or something I should be looking at next? Any help as usual will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bezza

white99c2 · 02-26-2010, 11:10 PM

I think there is an oil switch, look straight down in the rear of the engine, closest to the rear bumper. You'll see an electrical connection on it, unplug it, if it causes the light to go on full time bingo you have it.

white99c2 · 02-26-2010, 11:15 PM

I think I was wrong about the location of the sensor, see here.

How to get to the oil light switch

bezza911 · 11:35 PM

Hey Rob,
it looks like an engine drop for that check, anything else I should be looking at before I go to that extreme?

bezza911 · 02-26-2010, 11:31 PM

And thank you also Rob

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

What does your oil pressure gauge show when the oil light is flickering? If it is normal, then the problem is likely just in the oil pressure switch, otherwise, there is another separate sender which signals the amount of pressure for the gauge.

bezza911 · 02-26-2010, 11:58 PM

The oil pressure seems normal, so I am freaking out for nothing it would appear. About to go for a drive to the next village so I will monitor it and report back anything odd. Hopefully its a sender unit disliking all the cold storage period!

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Sounds like the switch. You can leave it like that as long as the analog gauge seems to be working correctly. Keep a close eye on it, though.

When you drop the engine, it gives you a chance to fix any other oil leaks like the crankcase breather gasket, front main seal, check valve covers, rocker arms, and clean the engine nicely.

On early cars, the analog gauge pressure sender is on the front of the engine up by the crankcase breather as well as the oil pressure switch. I think you have a 911SC, though. The analog sender is in the back, easy to reach, by the right side cam chain box.

86 911 Targa · 02-27-2010, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bezza911

OK,
I just pulled out my well maintained 911 from 3 months storage, started every weekend while stored. Yesterday while driving the oil light was flickering off and on. I checked the oil levels, all was good, is there an oil pump or something I should be looking at next? Any help as usual will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Bezza

Model year of your 911 please.

bezza911 · 02-27-2010, 11:45 PM

1986 911 Targa also. Took it for a drive yesterday, all as it should be but an intermittent flickering of the lamp still happening. oil pressure fine, engine still running sweetly, no smoke, no lost compression. So I guess it's a job for the next engine drop!

Thank you all as usual,

Bezza

86 911 Targa · 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bezza911

1986 911 Targa also. Took it for a drive yesterday, all as it should be but an intermittent flickering of the lamp still happening. oil pressure fine, engine still running sweetly, no smoke, no lost compression. So I guess it's a job for the next engine drop!

Thank you all as usual,

Bezza

The flickering lamp is most likely a dirty/loose connection at the switch.

And, you do not have to drop the engine on your '86.

I had an oil breather tube leak and performed the following:

1. Removed the air cleaner.

2. Removed the fuel meter.

3. Removed the throttle Assy.

Note: When removing the throttle assy, verify the routing of the vaccum lines, as transposing the lines will cause idle issues.

4. Placed a rag, over the intake manifold.

You will not have a lot of room, but it is a workable situation if you take your time.

I replace the following items.

1. The sound absorbing panel appended to the front area of the engine
compartment (the rear seats).

2. The breather gasket and tube.

3. The oil thermostat gasket.

4. The oil pressure sensor gasket.

This is a one afternoon task with time for a few Dinkel Acker beers.

Good luck,

Gerry

steve911T · 02-28-2010, 06:35 AM

Bezza, I did the same job as Gerry above on a 89 Targa. Real pain in the neck, literally, but with a couple of mirrors and a telescoping magnet, it is definitely doable. The switch is cheap, so replace it, easy to get to compared to the breather gasket and easy to get to with the air box off (relatively). Next winter's project is to remove the engine/trans which would take a 5 hour job to 20 minutes. Good luck!
Steve