Oil Light

[transatlantic0207]

my oil light is BARELY on...it is not fully lit but it definitely lit up just very dim. Before I turn on the car with the key in the 2nd position the light is fully lit as it should be.

My light DOES NOT come on fully lit, but it is dimly lit at various intensities. What does this mean??? Is it symptomatic of an oil pump or the sensor??

[Fidhle007]

I would throw a new sensor at it seeing as it's only $10 and if the light still acts up you know you have a problem.

[jlevie]

That could be a partial ground in the circuit from the bulb socket to the sensor. A bit of work with an ohmmeter should tell.

[transatlantic0207]

hmmmm i have been having cluster issues
last week the odometer went, i'll get a sensor tomorrow

[Fidhle007]

At work I would swap it just to be sure that wasn't the issue, we try to throw the easier/cheaper darts first. Customers seem to like this as it cuts down on labor costs but in the home garage environment I agree with you that the electrical route might be a good one to chase down first. Especially since there isn't likely to be a a new sensor on the shelf!

[transatlantic0207]

do you know what size spanner I'd use to replace it?

[Fidhle007]

hmmmm i have been having cluster issues
last week the odometer went, i'll get a sensor tomorrow

Well, the odometer is mechanical so that's likely unrelated but if you have time it's worth checking the electrical system like Jim suggested anyway. Sensor will be the fastest thing though, and at ten bucks it's not a big deal if that's not the issue.

Looking at it from a tech's perspective it costs less to swap the sensor then to take the time to pull it out and bench test it. That's the sad reality of it most of the time...

[Fidhle007]

do you know what size spanner I'd use to replace it?

Probably 22mm if I had to guess. Could be bigger though, I'm just stabbing in the dark.

[transatlantic0207]

I am going pick one up tomorrow and see how that fares....I am a bit concerned as I don't want to starve the engine of oil. It does seem to drive normal though, but I noticed this issue this afternoon and it kinda popped my balloon ya know??

[Fidhle007]

Yeah, get the new sensor in and see what happens first. Don't drive it if you don't have to!