HELP!! Intermittent Oil pressure light??? HELP!!

[ewill2002]

The car runs well. 70 to 80 mph when needed. Thought I would check if the AC was working well, it does work great and cools, but the oil pressure light comes on and stays on while the AC is running and immediately goes out when I cut off the AC. What could this be?

I also noticed a light film of oil on the valve cover near the filler cap and some spray on the fuel filter near the dipstick. That seems to prove why the light is on.

My fixes, but I'm always wrong. That's why I turn to the experts on 2002FAQ.

?A little white smoke at startup, but nothing serious.

?Aftermarket AC from iceac.com

?New high capacity Alternator, MSD ignition, M3 starter(I think)

?Brand new Weber 38 Carb installed.

?Changed out all of the Fuses. (Just in case)

I'm thinking the best Battery that Interstate sells for the 02 and that is all I've got.

Any suggestions would help. I hate seeing any hazard light. Especially the Oil Pressure light.

Thanks

[c.d.iesel]

are you positive it's not the CHARGING warning light

which is next to the OIL warning light ?

when the A/C is on your idle can drop to the point where either

the CHARGING (BAT) or low OIL pressure warning

lights might come on

might just be that

poor idle adjustment - no idle increase when A/C is on?

[Guest Anonymous]

Have you checked the oil level on the dipstick?

[Mike Self]

The switch (sender unit) is at the back edge of the cylinder head near the dizzy... The terminal may be loose, or the sender itself may be getting ready to fail, a not unknown occurance. When they do fail, you can lose all your engine oil in a few minutes of highway driving.

New switches are cheap, so you might try replacing yours with a new one if you don't find a loose terminal.

It's odd that the oil light would come on when you turn on the A/C as the two aren't related.

cheers

mike

[ewill2002]

C.d.iesel-

Yep.positive it is the oil pressure light. The charging indicator was last month. That's why I put in the new alternator.

It does idle quite high initially at start. I will gladly try that first.

There is no idle increase when AC is on.. Slight decrease..

Thanks

[ewill2002]

The switch (sender unit) is at the back edge of the cylinder head near the dizzy... The terminal may be loose, or the sender itself may be getting ready to fail, a not unknown occurance. When they do fail, you can lose all your engine oil in a few minutes of highway driving.

New switches are cheap, so you might try replacing yours with a new one if you don't find a loose terminal.

It's odd that the oil light would come on when you turn on the A/C as the two aren't related.

cheers

mike

Thanks Mike

I will definitely "replace" the sending unit, just to be safe. It's probably time to do that. Did not think of that.

[bourkeco]

Stop driving the car right now!! and tell me where I can pick it up to dispose of it so there is no more trouble...

Turn up the idle a tad and you will be in good shape! Happy new year!!

[ewill2002]

Thanks everyone.

Oil on the dipstick is fine.

With this info, something will work.

Thanks again.

[Hans]

What viscosity oil are you using? The only connection between A/C and oil pressure is idle speed (or perhaps overheating - but then temp gauge would show that).

[ewill2002]

10W 40 is the oil I am using. Temp gauge is working. It's not getting hot.

Just changed the plugs, for fun! Just got the oil switch. I'll replace it this week and see what happens. It appears to be the connection lead. It looks frayed.

[Hans]

Is the light on all the time with A/C on, or just at idle?

[Hans]

Is the light on all the time with A/C on, or just at idle?

[ewill2002]

It comes on at idle as I let off the pedal and go into neutral to stop at a light.

It stumbles and sputters a bit, but does not cut off.

[Hans]

If memory serves, some early BMWs with "factory" A/C had a solenoid that increased idle speed when A/C was on. Sounds like compressor is slowing engine. Depending on where you live (ambient temp) going to 20/50 oil might help, but simple fix is to increase idle speed slightly. Idle should be around 8-900 stock. If light comes on at that speed, you may have other problems.

[ewill2002]

Hans

Thanks. Weather is bad here in San Antonio and expected to get worse. I'll try this on Saturday and see what happens.

Thanks for the info.