Date:         Fri, 2 Oct 2015 07:28:20 -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 Buzzer advice
Comments: To: mcneely4@COX.NET
In-Reply-To:  <20151001230045.D6Q6W.156229.imail@eastrmwml304>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

The VDO gauges activate the warning light at a higher pressure than the stock sensor. That makes it usable for more than a need to replace engine light if it turns on above idle. Fun Bus has a 0-150 psi gauge and the light on turns on about 11 psi. I have a very effective oil cooling system. Rarely does my oil get over 210 and if that light comes on at idle something is different. If I get the oil to near 240 the light will flicker at idle. 

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 11:01 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Oil Buzzer advice

Agreed.

What does Van Cafe mean by saying that the VDO sender is "3 psi higher"?  Does that mean that the VDO sender claims 3 psi higher pressure than the real oil pressure?  Or does it mean that the VDO sender causes the gauge and the signal to respond at 3 psi lower than it should?  Exactly WHAT does it mean?

FWIW, I have a VDO setup, senders and gauge. If my gauge is reading 3 psi higher than the real pressure, that is a problem.  If the warning sounds at 3 psi too high, that is a problem, but less so.   mcneely

---- Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote: 
> When you are done wasting time fooling with the nonsense VW came up 
> with instead of installing an oil gauge, get one: 
> http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_362_263/oil-pressure-gauge-kit.h
> tml
> 
> You'll want it on your new engine anyway, stock or conversion.
> 
> Stuart
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On 
> Behalf Of Aaron
> Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2015 2:34 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Oil Buzzer advice
> 
> So it sounds like the yellow wire should be open, then have continuity to ground if oil pressure goes above 10-15 PSI. Can I just test that will my multi-meter with harness connector unclipped, or should I probe the wire while the harness is connected?
> 
> ...AND, my .02
> Since my mentioned "history" of low oil pressure was only the odd occasion when doing long/hot trips and pulling off the freeway, not at startup. It would seem too coincidental to mess with electrical things, and simultaneously have the oil pressure suddenly “drop". But, it could happen. That’s why I’d like to figure it out without buying a gauge or paying to have it tested. 
> 
> Thanks for the advice. 
> 
> 
> 
> > On Oct 1, 2015, at 1:30 PM, vw_van_fan_Mark <madvws@cox.net> wrote:
> > 
> > That problem comes down to 1 wire in the dash cluster. The yellow wire, to the 14 pin connector. If that yellow wire is broken or not making contact in that connector then the oil alarm/buzzer will happen every time the engine rpms get over 2000.
> > 
> > The oil warning circuit board also gets tach pulses and when it sees rpms at about 2000 or more it then looks for pressure indication on the second oil switch. If it doesn't see that indication it sounds the audible alarm and flashes the led.
> > 
> > There are 2 oil switches. The second switch works backward from the primary switch. The second switch sees an open condition until oil pressure rises to about 10-15 psi and then the switch closes and connects to ground to signal good pressure. When the wire to the switch is broken or not making good connection that grounding never happens. The cluster oil warning circuit board expects to see that grounding whenever rpms are above 2000. Otherwise the alarm sounds.
> > 
> > Mark
> > 
> > Aaron wrote:
> >> Hello all.
> >> 
> >> We have a ’91 automatic that is currently giving us an oil buzzer warning and I think it may be a false alarm, but perhaps not.
> >> 
> >> History:
> >> • 200,000 miles. Original engine.
> >> • Has occasionally given the buzzer when on hot, long trips coming 
> >> off freewa.. Typical vanagon. Not too concerned • 3 weeks ago oil cooler seal failed pumping 2.5 quarts out the back over about a mile & leading to an oil buzzer, immediate shutoff, and a short tow home.
> >> • That was fixed and the van has driven fine since then. No oil 
> >> buzzer • 20w50 and Mahle? filters.
> >> 
> >> So, one might ask “Where there any unusual events that might trigger this sudden oil pressure light?”
> >> 
> >> As usual…probably me. Over the weekend, I started finishing the brake work which means a new master cylinder and rear brakes. I swapped out the master cylinder, put the dash back together, and took it for a spin. Oil buzzer went on as soon as I started driving it up the road. I stopped it. started up again, and same thing. Oil light comes on once I rev past 2000 or 3000 (can’t remember) RPM’s. Due to the fact that things were fine BEFORE I tore apart the dash, it might indicate that perhaps there’s gremlins in the electrical.
> >> 
> >> I did some checking and my hope is that this is because of an electrical issue related to my “handiwork” on the brakes. I cleaned the contacts at the big plug where the oil pressure sender wire is with no change in the behavior. All contacts look good anyway.  I was careful with the dash bits and hopefully didn’t damage anything.
> >> 
> >> If this is indeed electrical, are there “typical” issues that can help me to diagnose whether the warning is an electrical issue or actual oil pressure issue? Please don’t answer “get an oil pressure gauge”. I’m hoping for some multimeter readings etc...
> >> 
> >> Meanwhile we drive the spare.
> >> 
> >> Thanks!
> >> Aaron
> >> 
> >> ’91 Carat (daily driver)
> >> ’87 Westy
> >> 

--
David McNeely