Flickering Oil Light

alan s4 · 12-08-2017, 12:48 PM

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

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

Nickj · 12-08-2017, 12:57 PM

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 · 12-08-2017, 03:16 PM

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.

12-08-2017, 03:24 PM

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 · 12-08-2017, 03:55 PM

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

Dukedesmo · 12-08-2017, 06:03 PM

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-A...53.m1438.l2649

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

12-08-2017, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.p

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 · 12-08-2017, 07:49 PM

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

alan s4 · 13-08-2017, 08:59 AM

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 · 15-08-2017, 02:19 AM

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 · 17-08-2017, 10:37 AM

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

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

Anyone got a link that works!

Albie · 17-08-2017, 12:19 PM

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

Dukedesmo · 17-08-2017, 12:55 PM

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 · 17-08-2017, 01:34 PM

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-A...19.m1438.l2649 but would advise asking or checking before ordering

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

Dukedesmo · 17-08-2017, 01:49 PM

Or, if they'll take it back then the same seller has; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-C....c100005.m1851 which should be the one.

12-08-2017, 12:48 PM	#1
alan s4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Glasgow Bike: S4 challenge Posts: 447	Flickering Oil Light 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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVhkwL_Dk9U

12-08-2017, 12:57 PM	#2
Nickj Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Forest Of Dean Bike: S2r Posts: 3,188	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. __________________ "The final measure of any rider's skill is the inverse ratio of his preferred Traveling Speed to the number of bad scars on his body." Song of the sausage creature

12-08-2017, 03:16 PM	#3
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,792	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. __________________

12-08-2017, 06:03 PM	#6
Dukedesmo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leics Bike: M900 Posts: 2,838	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-A...53.m1438.l2649 That said it could be an engine problem but definitely worth changing the sender first. __________________ M900, 916, LeMans II.

12-08-2017, 07:49 PM	#8
boris More Tools! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Forres Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 295	At that price worth having a spare in the garage. Thanks for the link, just ordered one.. __________________ Boris from Forres

12-08-2017, 03:24 PM	#4
RossObey01 Guest Posts: n/a	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.

12-08-2017, 03:55 PM	#5
chris.p Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: lincoln Bike: No Bike Yet! Posts: 876	I would replace the oil pressure switch before dropping oil, as faulty switch will flicker.

13-08-2017, 08:59 AM	#9
alan s4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Glasgow Bike: S4 challenge Posts: 447	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.

15-08-2017, 02:19 AM	#10
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,803	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 __________________ MONSTERMAN

17-08-2017, 10:37 AM	#11
alan s4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Glasgow Bike: S4 challenge Posts: 447	Hmmmmm......the aforementioned vauxhall switch arrived and it doesn't fit the S4 The thread on the vauxhall is around double the size of the original Ducati. Anyone got a link that works! Last edited by alan s4; 17-08-2017 at 10:41 AM..

17-08-2017, 12:19 PM	#12
Albie Fanactical volunteer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kent Bike: M900 Posts: 9,030	I thought it was Vauxhall Agila 1000cc but never having bought one I couldn't tell you thread size __________________ http://albies93m900.blogspot.co.uk/

17-08-2017, 12:55 PM	#13
Dukedesmo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leics Bike: M900 Posts: 2,838	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... __________________ M900, 916, LeMans II.

17-08-2017, 01:34 PM	#14
Dukedesmo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leics Bike: M900 Posts: 2,838	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-A...19.m1438.l2649 but would advise asking or checking before ordering The switch I had that fits Ducati fitted a 2005 Corsa 1.2 __________________ M900, 916, LeMans II. Last edited by Dukedesmo; 17-08-2017 at 01:37 PM..

17-08-2017, 01:49 PM	#15
Dukedesmo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Leics Bike: M900 Posts: 2,838	Or, if they'll take it back then the same seller has; http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-C....c100005.m1851 which should be the one. __________________ M900, 916, LeMans II.