[Cloud9...68]

On Pete's suggestion, I'm in the process of adding an inexpensive oil pressure warning light to my center console panel. The idea is to give me a very visible message in the event of a sudden loss of oil pressure. Plus, it looks kind of cool in my new gauge panel. However, I don't know where to connect its wire connector. It's been so long since the car has run that I don't even remember if the standard oil pressure gauge (or anywhere else in the instrument panel) even has a small warning light (I assume it does...). Hopefully I can figure it out from a wiring diagram, but does anybody know offhand where the sender for the oil pressure warning light is located? Thanks.

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[MB968]

There is an oil pressure sender on the back side of the housing that the oil filter is on.

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[Cloud9...68]

Yes, I assumed this is the case. However, what I'm not sure of is whether it sends the signal to the analog gauge, or to the warning light. I need the sender for the latter. Any idea which of the connectors serves this purpose? Been a busy night, so I haven't had time to pull up a wiring diagram. Alternatively, I suppose I could try to get an eyeball on the back of the gauge, figure out (with the help o the wiring diagram) which wire goes to the warning light, and connect the new warning light to it. Thanks.

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[vliegwielolaf1234]

The oilpressure sender wich is located near the oil filter does both one is the p ressure and the other function is closing the contacts when pressure falls below .8 bar and then the red warning light will show.

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[Cloud9...68]

Thanks; my new warning light has two contacts, and I assume it lights up when there is 12V across these contacts. Here's a picture of the contacts on the oil filter stand:



   



I believe the correct way to wire it up would be to connect one of the connectors of the light to a source of +12V when the ignition is on, and the other connector to either of the contacts on the oil filter stand, as these two contacts are closed when the oil pressure falls below 0.8 bar, completing the circuit. Is this correct?

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[Eric_K]

In your picture, the bottom post of the sender would go to the light and the top to the gauge.

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[Cloud9...68]

Eric,



Thanks. I still haven't had a chance to dig through a wiring diagram - is that where you came to your conclusion?



So, to summarize, attach the wire that came with the warning light to the lower of the two connectors on the oil filter stand, and connect the other end to either of the connectors on the light. Then attach the other light connector to a source of +12V when the ignition is on. Right?

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[Eric_K]

I only have the gauge wire hooked up to my sender, thats how I know. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



I have a big dash light wired to a seperate pressure switch. It is wired as you describe.

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[MB968]

Eric, did you do that before or after the last race last year?

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[Cloud9...68]

OK, thanks for the replies.

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[Eric_K]

[quote name='MB968' timestamp='1335596255' post='126159']

Eric, did you do that before or after the last race last year?

[/quote]



Ha! Yes, new this season. A light coming on at .8 bar is only good for indicating the engine is blown. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wacko.png" class="smilie" alt="" />



Right now I have it set to come on at 3 bar (it is a longacre adjustable switch attached to an oil filter sandwich plate). Should be a lot better and brighter indicator of the s*** approaching the fan.



Eric

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[MB968]

Eric, that's great. And the adjustability really makes sense so you have some control of false alarms.

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[Cloud9...68]

Hmmm... I'll have to look into that. I never would have thought of it. Thanks for the tip.



3 bar, huh? That's 43.5 psi, so it will always be on at idle. But I understand what you're after- getting an immediate, "early warning" indication of a low oil pressure condition at race operating conditions. You're right - wiring the light into the stock sender, which closes the switch as 0.8 bar, is pretty much worthless as an early warning indicator. I see Longacre sells the adjustable oil pressure sender separately. I'll look into finding a sandwich plate that is compatible with my Canton oil filter.

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