Oil Pressure Light-Sender Switch Failure

[Boxer]

Yesterday when I took off on the bike and discovered the gas leak, I noticed my oil pressure light did not come on with the switch on.

After I got home I checked it again with the engine off but key on. No light! I just can't remember if it has always shined before starting or not. Seems like it did. Have I got a bad sender switch?

Last year I had an incident with that light where it did not want to go OFF when I knew I had oil pressure. But it then went off after restarting.

[bimrluvr]

I think it should come on when you start, and fade to off as you get going

[MikeCam]

Phil,

Should be on when the key is on but bike not started.
Should stay on after ignition until oil pressure builds and stays at threshold level.

Possible causes (no order of probability)

1. Connector at console loose, corroded.
2. Bulb failure in console.
3. Fuse (not very likely as you would see other failures).
4. Connector at sending unit loose, corroded.
5. Bad sending unit.


Probably others with more ideas...

[Bjorn]

On my bike (European model) all the lamps light up when the igntion switch is turned on (including the oil lamp)

[boxermania]

Boxer.....I didn't hear you mention that the bike was makng funny engine noises while you rode it.......go ahead and replace the oil light bulb and everything will be OK.

BTW.....don't try looking for a replacement those, are kinda unique, yes, THE DEALER.......good luck......and yes, this posting is from ToKyo.....

[Boxer]

I didn't hear you mention that the bike was makng funny engine noises while you rode it

No FUNNY noises. Just the normal noises, except quieter since I put that new cam chain tensioner in.

Now I'm gonna try the easy way out and....WAH! WAH! WAH!

...From looking at my Clymer manual, the exploded view of the instrument panel shows no lights at all. Why am I not surpirised at this? It shows and tells that the whole cluster has to come off. Speedometer, clock, Tachometer, etc. To get to the lights. Just how much is Clymer leaving out here? In other words: How do I get to those darn lights easily?

[Boxer]

Okay, I got the little bezel (sp) cover off the light and inside is a rubber enclosure for the bulb and its connection. However, the bulb is so far down inside that rubber piece I can't figure out how to get it out. There is not enough room to slide it down on the wires. Any special tool anyone might recommend here....Plus it's so friggin' cold outside with a wind that won't let me fiddle with it too long.

Someone who has done this...What's the trick?

Edited later: I'm so stupid! I got'er done. It was not the bulb Al! Thanks a lot! It was the sender switch.