Date:         Mon, 23 Mar 1998 10:58:23 -0500
Reply-To:     Gregg Scharff <scharff@ENG.KNS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Gregg Scharff <scharff@ENG.KNS.COM>
Subject:      Flickering oil sensor light (long)
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

I for the first time, have noticed my oil light flickering on and off. I was
travelling at approx. 60 - 65 mph (constant highway speed). Pulled over
immediately-oil level was ok and engine idled fine with no oil light. Started up
on my merry way only to have the light come on again (at 55 mph now), only
brighter and more consistent this time. One thing I did notice this time was
that when I backed off of the throttle (motorcycle influence still dominates),
the oil light would always go out, but would eventually come back on when the
new lower speed became constant. I pulled over again and oil level checked out
ok. After stopping a third time with engine off for approx. 10 min. the problem
did not reoccur. The rest of the trip home (with one eye on the road and the
other on the "idiot light") I did not see even a blink of the light.

I changed the oil just 2 wks ago using Mobil 1 and a Purolator Filter ("pure
one", boasting higher filtration, have always used fram but my FLAPS is only
carrying some new Fram $8 version with some protectant...). I have heard on the
list about using a non-OEM filter causing a flickering oil light, but this
problem has not occured in the first 2 ks/500 miles since the oil change.

Being an engineer, disappearing symptoms are never looked upon as solved
problems. I may replace the oil pump just for peace of mind. Any list
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Oh, I also have the "much talked about" randomly occurring clutch chatter. Since
I just bought it last month I do not know the origin of the clutch, but it was
replaced last year according to service records.

Gregg (Conshohocken, Pa)
'85 Westy