V6 Oil Warning light on but oil level perfect

[New Forest Terrier]

As title says the oil warning light is on on my V6. Its a non drive situation obviously but I need to sort out the problem and graciously ask all your experts for ideas.

I had the beast converted to LPG a couple of weeks ago, so my first thought is a disturbed sensor. Solution to which is return to converter ASAP. Second thought is oil pump failure which is a relay to Discount Trucks. How can I tell the difference?

The oil warning light first came on this afternoon when I started the beast, very bright and very noisy as my Haydn alarm also does oil pressure. Checked oil level, absolutely fine and topped it up to full to make sure. Light came on again when I started. Absolutely had to move the beast a few yards so carefully went forward. Light went off, all normal. Reversed and moved it small distance, no problem, felt sure it was a sensor. Went out to start it again, light on and not so sure this time. No sign of any oil leak, none on ground or engine.

Has anyone any ideas about what is happening? It runs perfectly, starts first time, just the light.

Thanks

[mikeWalsall]

The Haydon alarm also does oil pressure ... what model is that ..??

Has the wire come of the oil pressure switch and is touching to earth ..??

[New Forest Terrier]

That sounds very likely Mike. My gut feeling is electrical rather than mechanical, but do not want to do anything silly.

I will ring the converter tomorrow for an opinion plus look for any loose wires.

My alarm is a Haydn TM2, the digital one. They can be wired into the oil pressure warning system and mine is. I blew up the engine on a Smart car just before I got the Bongo and once bitten. That was an oil pump failure, happened on the M23 and total disaster.

First time the alarm has warned me of anything and it certainly is enthusiastic. This came on top of the day from hell. Everything I touched went up in sparks, smoke or just packed up so the Bongo fitted in well

Hopefully it will look better in the morning

[mikeWalsall]

Yes It sounds a more electrical rather than mechanical problem ..

The oil pressure switch (connecting wire) is on the top of the oil pump .. passenger side lower front of engine ..

I looked after at the combined coolant / oil pressure gauge but it was listed as a Model TM4..

http://enginewatchdog.com/

[New Forest Terrier]

My alarm is definitely a TM2 but an old design one. I've had the Bongo four years now and technology improves.

This wretched light reminds me of a Volvo I used to own that turned on its ABS light if you stopped at traffic lights. The cure was a thump above the steering wheel. Nothing wrong with the ABS, just a bad spade connector hidden right in the loom that took some finding. It was still disconcerting although I knew that it was only the warning light circuit. Saved me a fortune though, as the volvo was rejected by its original purchaser due to this and a couple of other sillies and sold off virtualy new. Once the wiring was fixed it did me for a vast number of miles. The good old days of awful car electrics.

[Northern Bongolow]

i think im right in saying that the diesel has an oil level light and an oil pressure switch. is the v6 the same.
if so your level could be fine but the pressure be low. dont take a chance with low oil pressure on a v6.

[haydn callow]

Check where the TM-2 has been "tapped" into the warning light wire....could it be "earthing"

Mike...all TM-2's can be wired into the oil light circuit (the short orange wire.....)
However .. unless you also put a switch in the wire it will sound whenever the oil light is on..(ign switch on..engine not running) this "masks" the LCA test beep ( if your TM-2 has the built in LCA.) I used a switch to isolate the oil function untill the engine started.

Quote from engine Watchdog website below

PLUS The TM2 comes standard with an option to make your existing dashboard oil warning light Audible by using the TM2's buzzer (not suitable for gauges).

Just connect the optional 'audible oil wire' to the top of the oil sender along with the existing wire going to the oil light, and each time the light comes on the alarm sounds (For a time delay before engine starting See model TM4)

[Bogmonster40]

i think im right in saying that the diesel has an oil level light and an oil pressure switch. is the v6 the same.
if so your level could be fine but the pressure be low. dont take a chance with low oil pressure on a v6.

Being the owner of a V6 dare I ask "WHY" ???

[mikeWalsall]

Not only a V6 ... but almost any four stroke engine need pressurised oil to lube the internals of the engine ...

[Northern Bongolow]

they have a few more pistons and clattery bits up high and are more expensive to do the cams and belt than the diesel.

i would check the oil filter, and replace it with a really good quality one, again very important on a v6.

[teenmal]

Hi,

The safest and simplest thing to do is get the Oil Pressure checked.That will tell you what is wrong.

Cheers..

[New Forest Terrier]

Update on the poor old beast. I could not look at it yesterday, as Dynorod were relining 5mtr of drain across my parking space. So the beast had to spend the day on the road. One of those weeks. I checked all the electrics today, could find nothing. All wires attatched and correct. So I called the RAC out and their guy could not find an electrical fault either. His diagnosis was oil pressure sender or oil pump.

So it is being relayed tomorrow for professional help. Another saved Bongo for Haydn. Even if I had missed the light there is no way I could ignore that awful noise.

[Don&Shirley Gungadon]

New Forest Terrier: Out of interest where will you be taking the beast for professional help?
Shirley

[New Forest Terrier]

After an eventful day the big green beast is at AJC in Hythe. I left it sitting on the quayside, makes sense as they are in an old boatyard. Although given my week there will probably be a freak tsumi overnight and it will be at the bottom of the Solent by the morning, or hitched a lift on a car transporter home to Japan.

The RAC were to relay it first thing. Problem one it snowed overnight so no relay trucks. For tough northerners this is nothing. Down here no one has a clue about snow and chaos follows. Finally their contactor turned up with a little truck, suitable for a small car and planned to drag it nose first. Its an automatic, rear wheel drive of course, not four wheel drive but limited slip axel. No way was I allowing that . At least the guy seemed quite pleased when I refused, he had been expecting something much smaller and with gears.

The RAC were very good, apologised and two hours later a proper flatbed turned up. It got there with no further problems, although we passed two cars in a ditch he was recovering on the way back. Snow of course.

AJC were as good as ever. They reckon it's the oil pressure sender, but will check it out fully and test the pressure. What a day and what a week.

[Simon Jones]

Fingers crossed for a cheap and simple solution .