Need advice quick!

Pritchard · 04:50 PM

74 2.0L
The oil pressure idiot light has come on again. It did this about a month ago and then suddenly started acting normal. I was wondering if there was some quick little test I could do to see if the oil pressure switch is operating properly. I have restarted the car a couple of times to see if the light would go out like it is supposed to, no luck.

The oil level is fine and about 1500 miles since oil change. Other than the oil pump, is there something else that would cause this problem?

Thanks

Pritchard

Nevermind about the quick little test. Searched and found the method.

sammyg2 · 02-09-2002, 07:34 PM

First thing I would do is pull the dipstick and smell it to see if it smells like gasoline.
Prolly a long shot, but worth a try just for peace of mind. Sometimes things go wrong with our little motors and they go way rich. When that happens, the oil can be diluted and get real thin. this can show up as low oil pressure.
like I said, long shot, but easy to check.

DSPTurtle · 02-09-2002, 07:36 PM

My light goes on if I go through a series of heavy braking activities... not sure why but it goes out right again. I don't think those things go bad too often though???

John Rogers · 02-09-2002, 09:35 PM

I'd pull the pressure sensor and put in a gauge to see what the pressure really is. Only way to accurately know. The sensors I have seen usually fail off so the light won't come on? I would not drive it till you resolve it. Good luck

Pritchard · 02-10-2002, 07:24 AM

I used a little test that Otto suggested. Unplugged the pressure switch with the key in the on position. The idiot light went out indicating a bad switch. Do you think the car is safe to drive?

I did smell the oil. Smelled liked oil to me. No gas in there.

I really like the idea of knowing what the actual pressure is. How difficult would it be to add the pressure sensor and the pressure guage?

Thanks for all the input.

Pritchard

Special K · 02-10-2002, 07:52 AM

Just a matter of screwing in the sensor and running another wire into the cockpit (running the wire would be the time consuming task). While you're running a wire, you might as well run an extra one for the "Head Temp" gauge you'll also want up there with you while you're zippin' down the road. They have everything you'll need (except for time and patients) here at Pelican (preferred) or a place called "e-gauges.com". I've got all the above plus an air/fuel ratio gauge to keep me abreast of what's going on back there.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

It would be simple if the sender fit the stock location nicely. If it fits at all, it sure ain't nice!!

I recommend the "adaptor kit" (a bracket, some high-pressure hose, and the fittings to adapt the hose to the sender and case) so you can mount the sender somewhere other than the stock location.

The oil temp sender is a bit more involved.

--DD