Date:         Sat, 3 Apr 2010 09:07:49 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: oil pressure light
Comments: To: jerry cantor <jerry233@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <k2uf0ac23251004021644jd9d56e9ai907903bc91ab9f3@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Does it do this all the time, engine hot or cold?

If the buzzer goes off just after start up I would look for a loose/broken
wire or bad connection. There is a two wire plug going to both oil sensors.
It is common for the connections to corrode or the wires break. The higher
pressure sensor, located near the oil pump is a failsafe design. The switch
closes when oil pressure is sufficient. A bad connection will cause the
alarm to sound.

If the engine has to be warm for the problem to occur you may have a bad or
incorrect sensor or a true oil pressure problem. If that happened right
after an oil change you need to question the following:

Oil viscosity, what was used? Many shops will use 5w-30 in just about
anything. Just won't work for the Waterboxer.
Oil level, too full will also cause low oil pressure especially during
longer high speed travel. Ideal fill is between the marks, never above the
top mark.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
jerry cantor
Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 7:44 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: oil pressure light

Oil pressure red light along with annoying alarm is going off intermittently
in my 87 Westfalia
over the past 3 days - 15 miles of city driving.
Had oil change less than 500 miles ago and oil level looks fine.
Have appointment at local shop for a look see end of next week.
Mechanic thought this was a sensor malfunction with dipstick showing normal
level.
Anything else it could be where I shouldn't be driving it at all til it gets
checked out?
Thanks.