Date:         Tue, 19 Sep 2006 13:13:45 -0600
Reply-To:     Kath Gene <Kath_Gene@STVRAIN.K12.CO.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kath Gene <Kath_Gene@STVRAIN.K12.CO.US>
Subject:      Oil pressure alarm problems problems--this is a good one for any
              one up for a challenge.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I have searched the Archives and not found my exact problems.


History on the van:


I have an '86 camper with 110k miles.  I recently bought it after it had
been sitting for about 4 years.  The only modifications that I can see
is a different radio and speakers.  Otherwise the Van is as it came from
Volkswagen.  This is a very pristine and extremely well cared for van. I
have not actually checked the oil pressure although I have absolutely no
signs of an oil pressure loss (no lifter noises, rough running, oil
light at start-up).  I have a crappy (Fram) oil filter (temporarily)I
plan on changing the oil after I go through the first tank of gas and
putting on a quality one.  But I do have 20/50 oil in it.



The issue:

The problem I'm having sounds very ordinary but is getting more and more
weird.  As I start the engine and drive away EVERY time, regardless of
engine temp, when the engine gets to about 2200 rpm's the oil light and
buzzer go on and stay on until I restart the ignition.  I have no low
rpm flickering and it will not shut off no matter what the rpm's and the
light ans buzzer NEVER turn off unless I restart the ignition.



What I've done so far:

I replaced the high side oil sender with a 0.9 bar unit yesterday to
absolutely no change in the behavior.  I also checked continuity from
the sending units to the plug on the back of the instrument cluster and
found that I have continuity from the high pressure sender to the
cluster but not from the low pressure sender to the cluster.  This
really throws me since I assumed that would turn the light and buzzer on
immediately upon start-up since it appears it is not getting a signal on
start-up.  I also disconnected the plug that both sensors go through
(the one in the engine bay) and ran the engine--absolutely no change in
the symptoms buzzer came on at 2200ish rpm's.  Scratched my head and
butt.


Where I think I should go next:

1.  I'm going to recheck the continuity between the senders and the dash
connector.

2.  Check the resistance to ground of both sending units to make sure
that they are sending a signal.

3.  I am going to explore the idea of the oil pressure relief spring
that may be hanging open.


4.  I am going to explore the idea of some printed circuit behind the
spedo and tach that can go bad but people have told me that they rarely
fail.  


5 look into a possibility of a relay in the system somewhere that is
failing.


Any ideas will not be ignored--please help!!!!

Gene Kath