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Fimez |
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 Fimez L Plate Warrior
Joined: 27 Sep 2023 Karma :  
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stinkwheel |
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 stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist

Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :    
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 Posted: 20:52 - 27 Sep 2023 Post subject: |
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It's not an oil pressure light like on a 4-stroke, it's a level switch to tell you if the oil level in the 2-stroke tank is getting low.
So if the level is visually fine, yes there's a problem with the switch or the wiring between the switch and the light.
On your bike, power is supplied to the bulb which then goes to the switch. When the switch is in a "low oil" state, it makes a connection to earth and the bulb lights up. When it is in a "high oil" state, it is an open circuit and so stays off. It also has a connection with the neutral light which as I recall on most of these bikes, makes the oil light come on when the bike is in neutral to confirm the bulb is working.
So. It might be a faulty switch.
It could also be a break in the wire between the bulb and the switch intermittantly shorting to earth (ie touching the frame or another metal part). One thing that occurrs to me is that it is easy to trap a wire under the plastics and damage the insulation, especially if you've had bits off painting them.
It could be a short on the bulb holder in the instrument panel, I've seen this happen before if the holder pushes through a bracket which has some exposed metal on it. Test this by pulling the bulb holder out of the panel and seeing if the problem goes away.
There could also be a problem with the neutral switch, does the neutral light also stay on when it shouldn't? This is the only place where the gear position has any bearing on the oil light.
The switch should be easy to test. With a multimeter set on resistance or continuity, disconnect the oil level switch connector. It has three wires. If the sensor is immersed in a full tank of oil, there should be an open circuit (high resistance, no continuity beep) between the black on red and the black wire. If the sensor is uncovered, there should be a closed circuit between these wires (low resistance, continuity test beeps).
I should add, if there is sufficient oil in the tank, the light being on is of no relevance other than indicating there is a fault with the light. Just don't run out. It makes sense to check the oil every time you fill up.
For what it's worth, I'd put my money on there being a trapped wire and the vibrations of the engine when you're in fifth being enough to rattle it away from wherever it's shorting out. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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stinkwheel |
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 stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist

Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :    
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 Posted: 21:01 - 27 Sep 2023 Post subject: |
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I should also add that if the oil ight comes on on a 4-stroke bike, stop the engine immediately and don't ride it again until you have found out what the problem is. They mostly have a pressure switch (there are exceptions, Yamaha diversions, I'm looking at you) and if it's come on, it indicates the oil pressure has dropped to a dangerously low level and engine damage is already happening.
It could also be an issue with the switch or wiring but it's not worth taking a risk. ____________________ “Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles. |
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Mysteriass |
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 Mysteriass Nova Slayer

Joined: 06 Apr 2015 Karma :     
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Fimez |
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 Fimez L Plate Warrior
Joined: 27 Sep 2023 Karma :  
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 Posted: 07:55 - 28 Sep 2023 Post subject: |
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stinkwheel wrote: | It's not an oil pressure light like on a 4-stroke, it's a level switch to tell you if the oil level in the 2-stroke tank is getting low.
So if the level is visually fine, yes there's a problem with the switch or the wiring between the switch and the light.
On your bike, power is supplied to the bulb which then goes to the switch. When the switch is in a "low oil" state, it makes a connection to earth and the bulb lights up. When it is in a "high oil" state, it is an open circuit and so stays off. It also has a connection with the neutral light which as I recall on most of these bikes, makes the oil light come on when the bike is in neutral to confirm the bulb is working.
So. It might be a faulty switch.
It could also be a break in the wire between the bulb and the switch intermittantly shorting to earth (ie touching the frame or another metal part). One thing that occurrs to me is that it is easy to trap a wire under the plastics and damage the insulation, especially if you've had bits off painting them.
It could be a short on the bulb holder in the instrument panel, I've seen this happen before if the holder pushes through a bracket which has some exposed metal on it. Test this by pulling the bulb holder out of the panel and seeing if the problem goes away.
There could also be a problem with the neutral switch, does the neutral light also stay on when it shouldn't? This is the only place where the gear position has any bearing on the oil light.
The switch should be easy to test. With a multimeter set on resistance or continuity, disconnect the oil level switch connector. It has three wires. If the sensor is immersed in a full tank of oil, there should be an open circuit (high resistance, no continuity beep) between the black on red and the black wire. If the sensor is uncovered, there should be a closed circuit between these wires (low resistance, continuity test beeps).
I should add, if there is sufficient oil in the tank, the light being on is of no relevance other than indicating there is a fault with the light. Just don't run out. It makes sense to check the oil every time you fill up.
For what it's worth, I'd put my money on there being a trapped wire and the vibrations of the engine when you're in fifth being enough to rattle it away from wherever it's shorting out. |
That makes sense to me, panels have been off anout 100 times, no problem with neutral light though, just the usual unwillingness to go into neutral after pushing the bike. ____________________ Fimez |
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 Fimez L Plate Warrior
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A100man |
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 A100man World Chat Champion

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Rob Fzs |
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 Rob Fzs World Chat Champion
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 Fimez L Plate Warrior
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stinkwheel |
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 stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist

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 Fimez L Plate Warrior
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 Fimez L Plate Warrior
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 1 year, 221 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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