Topic: Oil Pressure switch / warning light

[nwcafe]

The red oil pressure warning light has been flickering on at higher oil pressures. I have a pressure gauge installed down right side of the engine, and always give it a glance when given a chance, stoplights & such. The gauge consistently reads at +-72 on a cold start and under load, then drops as it warms up and is idling. The light used to only flicker on at stop lights when the pressure would drop to about 20 or less on warm summer rides. This time of the year is pretty chilly up where i am in the NW, and the warm pressure is reading about 42, and the light is flickering on then and solid at 40. My inclination is to believe the pressure gauge first and take this as a sign of the switch going bad. However I'd hate to be wrong. Can i get a second on this? Has anyone had a similar experience? Thanks, Greg (1970 CB750KO )

[Bob Wessner]

I have a guage on my K0 also and figured I was the only one who paranoidaly (that a word?) glanced at it all the time, glad to have the company. I've never had the problem you describe, the light should go off and stay off after getting above 7 lbs as I recall. I might check the electrics, either at the instrument end or the sending unit.

[heffay]

i also have a guage down on the right side.  i tend to trust it more than the light too but, then again my lite doesnt come on.  so, i second your judgement, just keep an eye on things, listen for unfamiliar motor noise, etc.

[nteek754]

hefay

My money is on the sending unit is gone  I had the same thing happen couple years ago  after it warmed up it got so the light would stay on I said well no noise from the enginee and  put a gauge on and had 60 plus cruising and I think the light  should go out at like three PSI  so change the sending unit you need one I gotr about eight used ones good luck Craig P seven fifty four ever

[MRieck]

hefay

My money is on the sending unit is gone  I had the same thing happen couple years ago  after it warmed up it got so the light would stay on I said well no noise from the enginee and  put a gauge on and had 60 plus cruising and I think the light  should go out at like three PSI  so change the sending unit you need one I gotr about eight used ones good luck Craig P seven fifty four ever

I agree.

[Spear]

Damn, it was good to find this posting. My oil light comes on as regular as clock work when my machine is working. To qualify that, I recently did a 1,000kms trip over 3 days and after the first sprint of 300kms when I stopped for fuel the oil light stayed on at idle. Gave her a few revs and she went off. Checked the oil level in the tank (just had an oil change) and it was very warm (you don't say) and had lotsa bubbles in it (der). After she cools down the oil light stays off until she gets hot - operating temp - again. I was not overly concerned with it, just accepted it as a 750/4 trait along with a squealing front brake. Reading these postings makes me feel a lot better. Way to go.

[nwcafe]

The light is on all the time now. On the ride home from work it stated to glow faintly, by the time i was home it was nice and bright at idle and rev'd, even when the pressure guage read 72. I have a new switch assembly on order from Service Honda... I'll post when i get it installed, & let you know if the bad/old switch was the problem.

[scottgarland]

Glad to here about these little glitches in other bikes besides mine. Breake squeek con be cured by puttin anti squeek on back of break pads, just follow instructiions on the can. I use this stuff on my BMW cars for years. Squeeking is caused from a high vibration of pads, usually on first application. I see you(as a group) have a lot of carb trouble. Make sure cables and linkage are in good working order as well as checking for air leaks ect. I also have oil light flickering, havent solved that one yet. Even parinoids have real enemys by the way.

[Spear]

Scott. Is that oil pressure light only flickering at idle, or giving you the sh!ts at all revs? I find if you get a flicker at idle when cold then it exacerbates itself (look that up in your Funk and Wagnall, Terry) when the engine is hot - at an high idle. Still, it goes out once you're up and away though.