Flickering Oil Light

[alan s4]

My S4 has developed a flickering oil light recently. Only happens when engine is hot and at idle, goes away once revved.

Is this something to be concerned about/should I change the oil pressure sensor?

YouTube vid for those that can be arsed to watch:biggrin:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVhkwL_Dk9U

[Nickj]

Check the connector to the sensor (but you've probably already done that)
Faff around with it for a while and any other connectors up stream..

Then replace the sensor ...

If it's a nice day change the oil, clean the mesh and main filter too.

[Mr Gazza]

The oil light is a low pressure warning, but the switches are prone to failing, so it is nearly always a failed switch when the oil light comes on when running.

The revving it up test that you conducted is a good one as it will tell you if you actually do have low oil pressure when the engine seizes with a bang.... Or you could wait until you have replaced the switch before running it again.

[RossObey01]

I'd be tempted to drop the oil and filter anyway to be safe. Give the wiring a quick check by earthing the connector at sensor on a bare bolt, if the light is then steady, you know the wiring up to the dash is good.

The fact it's going off with revs would suggest, to me at least, that is more of a flow problem than a dodgy sensor, because as the engine revs up the pressure would build enough to turn the light off.

[chris.p]

I would replace the oil pressure switch before dropping oil, as faulty switch will flicker.

[Dukedesmo]

Change the sender unit as they are prone to failure and it is most likely that.

You don't need to spend £20 - £30 from Ducati, the sender from a Vauxhall Corsa is the same and can be had for less than a fiver; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-ASTRA-VECTRA-SIGNUM-MERIVA-ZAFIRA-CORSA-OIL-PRESSURE-SWITCH-NEW/171252789212?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

That said it could be an engine problem but definitely worth changing the sender first.

[RossObey01]

I would replace the oil pressure switch before dropping oil, as faulty switch will flicker.

Whilst I'm not disagreeing with you, my sender has given up the ghost but doesn't flicker, it's just stopped working.

Fingers crossed it's nothing serious, but best to be caution until you're sure.

[boris]

At that price worth having a spare in the garage. Thanks for the link, just ordered one..
:)

[alan s4]

Purchased the Vauxhall switch, I'll fit and report back. Thanks for the link.

Oil and Filter changed back in April, only covered a few hundred miles since then. Same oil and viscosity (Shell Synth) as used previously.

[jerry]

Those swithches are prone to faliure and leaks , Vauxhall ones for £5 are same as expensive ducati ones as many people have related already i always keep a spare

[alan s4]

Hmmmmm......the aforementioned vauxhall switch arrived and it doesn't fit the S4:on:

The thread on the vauxhall is around double the size of the original Ducati.

Anyone got a link that works!

[Albie]

I thought it was Vauxhall Agila 1000cc but never having bought one I couldn't tell you thread size

[Dukedesmo]

The Vauxhall version fits my M900 and 916, thread is M10x1.0mm - same thread as brake banjos.

I even fitted my 'spare' to a Vauxhall Corsa that my Son used to own as it developed the 'leak and flicker' fault that our bikes do...

[Dukedesmo]

Having checked the link, it appears not suitable for Corsa*, rather Astra. I wasn't aware there was a difference but looking at the picture on the sale it seems to be a coarser pitch M10 thread?

You need the M10 x 1.0mm which is for a Corsa (and others), I think this one should be correct; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Astra-Corsa-Signum-Tigra-Vectra-Zafira-Oil-Pressure-Switch-90534902/190430480428?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649 but would advise asking or checking before ordering

* The switch I had that fits Ducati fitted a 2005 Corsa 1.2

[Dukedesmo]

Or, if they'll take it back then the same seller has; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-CORSA-MERIVA-AGILA-OIL-PRESSURE-SWITCH-NEW-90534902-93190643/311900650447?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.M BE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D45566%26meid%3Dde0e9ad1983e461 1b98954fe348d6b9b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D 6%26sd%3D190430480428&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851 which should be the one.

[jerry]

vauxhall aguila ,,

[alan s4]

All sorted, it was the switch after all, just watch out for the type of Vauxhall switch that you select!

[Stevedesmo]

Good news
Can you confirm which one is the correct narrow diameter version please?

I've had the one that's too big in the past and want to be sure this time!:thumbsup:

[slob]

2000 Vauxhall Corsa 1.2
Intermotor part#50938
about £5 at your local motor factor

[alan s4]

Go with the thread size (M10) as opposed to the make of car. The Zafira uses both sizes.

[FLATTOP]

Just a little resurrection of an old thread, I had a 175 mile ride the other day and on the last 20 mile my oil light came on, I pulled over and as I suspected knackered oil pressure switch, I had a similar problem at the end of last season but tightened up and the problem went away.

Not this time it was tight and chucking out oil and as Dukedesmo rightly points out this link is the correct one for my M1000 £2.49 what a nice piece of information fitted and doing what it’s supposed to do. Thanks

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Astra-Corsa-Signum-Tigra-Vectra-Zafira-Oil-Pressure-Switch-90534902/190430480428?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

[Jims4r]

vauxhall aguila ,,
I developed the same problem yesterday, Vauxhall Aguila switch on order, £4.90.