[Stuey]

Just want to run a problem by you guys regarding strange oil pressure light behaviour and its relationship to noisy engine start up.

It is my understanding that with most cars, when you get in your vehicle and turn your key to the “ON” position, you get the array of warning lights flash up the dash until you turn the engine over and then all lights should more or less turn off. This should also be true for the oil pressure light unless you have a problem.

What I am experiencing is slightly odd. Sometimes I turn the key to the “ON” position and the oil warning light comes on. On these occasions, I start the car and it starts quietly. By this I mean no rattles from the timing chain etc, just a nice quiet start up, and the oil light goes out as it should. This to me is what you would consider a normal start up.

Other times I turn the key to “ON” position and no oil warning light appears. When I start the car on these occasions the timing chain rattles loudly for a moment or two, then settles. The oil light remains off. Should I turn the car off and then restart, the oil light flashes up at the “ON” position as it should, and the car starts quietly.

Can anyone suggest why the oil light appears some times and not others? And how this might relate to the quiet/noisey start up. The good news is at no time has the light come on whilst the engine has been running.

Thanks.

[want33s]

I'd start by replacing the $10 oil pressure sender and see what happens.

[Ben_Sierra]

want33s wrote:

I'd start by replacing the $10 oil pressure sender and see what happens.

x2.

There should be no oil pressure before it starts, so the light should definitely be on. Failing that, perhaps a dodgy electrical connection between the sensor and the light somewhere...

[zookfun]

It wouldnt hurt to check oil pressure too

[Ben_Sierra]

zookfun wrote:

It wouldnt hurt to check oil pressure too

No, that would never hurt. But chucking in a $10 sensor from repco is probably an easier bet for people who don't have the tools to check oil pressure on their driveway at home. OF course, oil pressure (low, or too high) is terminal for an engine, so if you are at all concerned get someone to have a look for you. Could save $$$ in the long run.

[Stuey]

Can anyone tell me where I can locate the sender on a J20A?

[Ben_Sierra]

Not off the top of my head, but look for a wire coming out of the side of the block near the bottom somewhere.... Attached to a sensor scewed into the block. That will probably be the one...

[Stuey]

It's ok, found it on a schematic. Looks to be half way up the block, on the exhaust manifold side. Probably hidden behind the heat shield.

The sender alone doesnt explain the link between light/noisey start though.

[Chop]

Its noisey coz ya went and cleaned all the sound deadener out the motor

Chop

[atari4x4]

i'd say it's more serious than a lazy sender unit, if it was faulty it would still get oil pressure. the rattley start up sounds like it is a lack of oil pressure.

with all that gunk you found & removed, did you have the oil pump apart?

maybe clean, replace or rebuild the oil pump.

or just slot that late modle h25a in.... you know you want to!

[Stuey]

atari4x4 wrote:

i'd say it's more serious than a lazy sender unit, if it was faulty it would still get oil pressure. the rattley start up sounds like it is a lack of oil pressure.

with all that gunk you found & removed, did you have the oil pump apart?

maybe clean, replace or rebuild the oil pump.

or just slot that late modle h25a in.... you know you want to!

The oil pump was stripped, cleaned and reassembled in accordance with workshop manual specs when I did the big clean up. And like I say, at no time ever, has the oil pressure light come on whilst driving or while the engine is running.

Many people also claim that the timing chain rattle is normal on start up as the tensioners prime with oil. It just seems in my case there is a link between the light and a noisey start. And in your case Atari, you claim your engine has never rattled on start.

I might try changing oil type and see if it makes a difference.

[royce]

the only things that can make the light not come on when you turn the ignition on is either there is already pressure there (this worries me that there is something floating in the gallery) the sender is faulty (likely) or power isnt being supplied to the light (possible)

the switch grounds when there is no pressure, I would be inclined to do some testing and when the light doesnt come on check that the switch is earthing with a meter or test light, if it is you have a power problem somewhere, if it isnt pull the switch and give it a clean and try again or replace it

I dont see how there is a link, perhaps if it took a while to get oil pressure and was rattling at the same time but there is no reason for it to have pressure before start up

[steak_knife]

royce wrote:

the only things that can make the light not come on when you turn the ignition on is either there is already pressure there (this worries me that there is something floating in the gallery) the sender is faulty (likely) or power isnt being supplied to the light (possible)

the switch grounds when there is no pressure, I would be inclined to do some testing and when the light doesnt come on check that the switch is earthing with a meter or test light, if it is you have a power problem somewhere, if it isnt pull the switch and give it a clean and try again or replace it

I dont see how there is a link, perhaps if it took a while to get oil pressure and was rattling at the same time but there is no reason for it to have pressure before start up

X2 on all of this, highlighted is a concern.


That saved me typing it out, thanks Royce.

[BlueSuzy]

Check the level of your oil

Replace the bulb

Replace the Vitara with a Sierra.

(I cant help other then this)

[BJPK]

Chop wrote:

Its noisey coz ya went and cleaned all the sound deadener out the motor

Chop

x 2

[Stuey]

Ok, thanks for all the replies. You've all given me a fault finding list to take away which is excellent. I'll work through them one by one and see how I go.

[atari4x4]

when adding the extra layer of rice (cool guage mods), did you replace the check engine globe with an LED... this could have a dodgy connection (clutching at straws)

[Stuey]

atari4x4 wrote:

when adding the extra layer of rice (cool guage mods), did you replace the check engine globe with an LED... this could have a dodgy connection (clutching at straws)

smart arse. Yeah, it was "blinged" with an LED. I'll check that out too.

[steak_knife]

Stuey wrote:

atari4x4 wrote:

when adding the extra layer of rice (cool guage mods), did you replace the check engine globe with an LED... this could have a dodgy connection (clutching at straws)

smart arse. Yeah, it was "blinged" with an LED. I'll check that out too.

Umm, why????

[atari4x4]

it's all about the volts... stekky

Stuey, the gauges look good, i am jealous!

[steak_knife]

atari4x4 wrote:

it's all about the volts... stekky

Stuey, the gauges look good, i am jealous!

Ok then!!

Trying to save the Alt hay, poor thing having to do all that work.

[Stuey]

atari4x4 wrote:

it's all about the volts... stekky

Stuey, the gauges look good, i am jealous!

More like I changed them in the hope I'd never need to replace one again due to a blown bulb.