Date:         Mon, 27 Aug 2001 16:02:29 -0700
Reply-To:     "Moritz, Thomas W NWW" <Thomas.W.Moritz@NWW01.USACE.ARMY.MIL>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Moritz, Thomas W NWW" <Thomas.W.Moritz@NWW01.USACE.ARMY.MIL>
Subject:      Oil pressure gauge
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

Our 0.3 bar pressure gauge is bad.  We drove about 200 miles with the oil
pressure indicator light blinking and getting progressively worse but not a
peep out oil pressure warning buzzer.  I made sure the buzzer was still
operating by pulling apart the electrical connector where the pressure
switch leads tie into the wiring harness, revved the engine to 2000+ and
bzzzzz.  Then I made a short jumper with 1/4" spade connectors and connected
the 0.9 bar switch back into the circuit.  This kept the oil light from
flickering all the way back home.  I felt safe doing this assuming that the
buzzer and oil light would warn me while driving down the highway above 2000
RPM.  This assumes that I don't have a massive failure of the oil cooler or
filter that blocks all flow to the engine bearing.

My question is, if I can operate the vehicle without the 0.3 bar pressure
switch connected into the circuit, why can't I just replace that pressure
switch with a sender?  Is a sender without an integrated pressure switch
small enough to fit in where the pressure switch is currently located?
Assuming I pay at least as much attention to the gauge as I do to the red
idiot light, am I putting our engine at risk by doing something like this?

Thanks,

Tom Moritz




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