Glowing light

Ringmaster · 17-12-08, 03:06 PM

The oil warning light in my instrument panel on my 80 seems to glow continuously now, with the ignition on.

It is barely noticeable though.

Any ideas?

Checked oil levels etc, and all is in order.

Emjay · 17-12-08, 04:14 PM

Oil warning lights indicates no oil pressure. So although the oil levels may be ok, it may be that the oil is not flowing quickly enough around the engine.

Usually if the general rule of thumb is that if the oil light is on, it's too late and the car shouldn't be driven.

Firstly do you have an oil pressure meter? what does that indicate. If it is generating good oil pressure then it may be a sensor issue.

If you have no pressure guage I would strongly suggest you check that oil is getting around the engine and that the oil pump is working ok, oil filter isnt blocked etc

Leopold_74 · 17-12-08, 04:17 PM

It could be just a bad Earth?

PeterB · 17-12-08, 05:19 PM

Or possibly a dodgy sender.

BW2309 · 17-12-08, 07:22 PM

I'd have thought most likely a dodgy earth within the dash pod. If oil pressure is genuinly low or sensor failed I think u should have a buzzer sound at above 2000rpm?
Really worth checkin oil pressure to be sure! Oil pumps on older Audi engines pretty good!
Seen a few failed dash's.

Ringmaster · 19-12-08, 10:26 AM

I'm sure it's not oil pressure, as the light should either come on or not, not just glow feintly.

Light stops glowing with increased engine revs. Maybe its a slipping drive belt?

I adjusted belt tension, but it was difficult single handed. Maybe it's still not taught enouh.

Emjay · 19-12-08, 10:50 AM

Increasing engine revs will increase oil pressure. Light will then go out.

Again I would strongly reccomend you check the oil pressure. Sounds like the oil pump could be starting to wear out and you are getting an early warning sign. .

So at idle/low revs it may not be pumping enough oil hence the light is starting to come on. Better to replace an oil pump now than to have it go later and lose the engine

Ringmaster · 20-12-08, 10:55 PM

Will do....................

gabriel.oconnell · 21-12-08, 07:31 AM

i had this on my quattro this years i was able to fix it with a new oil switch and cleaned up and put a new spade connecter on the new switch try connecter first

Ringmaster · 25-02-09, 12:37 PM

Okay folks, I'm going to have to get around to tackling this fault soon.

When I do should I just replace both oil pressure switches for the sake of thoroughness?

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17-12-08, 04:14 PM	#2
Emjay Man Fettler Extraodinaire Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up my own arse blowing smoke Posts: 7,417	Oil warning lights indicates no oil pressure. So although the oil levels may be ok, it may be that the oil is not flowing quickly enough around the engine. Usually if the general rule of thumb is that if the oil light is on, it's too late and the car shouldn't be driven. Firstly do you have an oil pressure meter? what does that indicate. If it is generating good oil pressure then it may be a sensor issue. If you have no pressure guage I would strongly suggest you check that oil is getting around the engine and that the oil pump is working ok, oil filter isnt blocked etc

17-12-08, 04:17 PM	#3
Leopold_74 Full Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 125	It could be just a bad Earth?

17-12-08, 05:19 PM	#4
PeterB You absolute shower! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Chester Posts: 1,444	Or possibly a dodgy sender.

17-12-08, 07:22 PM	#5
BW2309 Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Derby Posts: 1,245	I'd have thought most likely a dodgy earth within the dash pod. If oil pressure is genuinly low or sensor failed I think u should have a buzzer sound at above 2000rpm? Really worth checkin oil pressure to be sure! Oil pumps on older Audi engines pretty good! Seen a few failed dash's.

19-12-08, 10:26 AM	#6
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,335	I'm sure it's not oil pressure, as the light should either come on or not, not just glow feintly. Light stops glowing with increased engine revs. Maybe its a slipping drive belt? I adjusted belt tension, but it was difficult single handed. Maybe it's still not taught enouh.

19-12-08, 10:50 AM	#7
Emjay Man Fettler Extraodinaire Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Up my own arse blowing smoke Posts: 7,417	Increasing engine revs will increase oil pressure. Light will then go out. Again I would strongly reccomend you check the oil pressure. Sounds like the oil pump could be starting to wear out and you are getting an early warning sign. . So at idle/low revs it may not be pumping enough oil hence the light is starting to come on. Better to replace an oil pump now than to have it go later and lose the engine

20-12-08, 10:55 PM	#8
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,335	Will do....................

21-12-08, 07:31 AM	#9
gabriel.oconnell 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: brynmawr Posts: 3,243	i had this on my quattro this years i was able to fix it with a new oil switch and cleaned up and put a new spade connecter on the new switch try connecter first

25-02-09, 12:37 PM	#10
Ringmaster Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,335	Okay folks, I'm going to have to get around to tackling this fault soon. When I do should I just replace both oil pressure switches for the sake of thoroughness?