oil pressure
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Stage II
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 2
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From: sacramento,ca
oil pressure
oil light was on and no oil pressure so i changed oil pressure switch and added oil,oil light went off but still says no oil pressure. Will it hurt my bike to ride it?
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Sydney Australia
@tommyt2112 This section is for issues with the Forum Software - not motorcycle problems / questions. Please advise what bike model / year you are asking about and I will move it to the correct section
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From: Honah Lee
Do not drive it. Only start it briefly. Do not start or run it if you hear the lifters clicking and clicking in the top of engine.
My guess and only a guess is the new switch doesn't have same calibration and it's just showing maybe OK or maybe not. Even correct for it, it could only be a few pounds to cut off light.
Obviously you have a bike with a display reading. Not sure where it gets reading. AI says it has one just for the PSI reading. On a car, some have only one switch but it has more than 2 wires coming from it.
I would either trailer it in, or put a mechanical pressure gage in to see what's going on.
Was it low on oil? What procedure did you use to check it? Did you hear any clicking or other new noises?
PS.. Welcome to the HDFORUM..
My guess and only a guess is the new switch doesn't have same calibration and it's just showing maybe OK or maybe not. Even correct for it, it could only be a few pounds to cut off light.
Obviously you have a bike with a display reading. Not sure where it gets reading. AI says it has one just for the PSI reading. On a car, some have only one switch but it has more than 2 wires coming from it.
I would either trailer it in, or put a mechanical pressure gage in to see what's going on.
Was it low on oil? What procedure did you use to check it? Did you hear any clicking or other new noises?
PS.. Welcome to the HDFORUM..
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 31, 2026 at 08:54 AM.
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: sacramento,ca
Oil pressure
Know no noise and my engine light was on so I checked my oil yes little low so I added bout half a quart of oil and changed oil pressure switch light went off still no pressure. The switch is a aftermarket switch, should I pull it and order one from the Harley shop??
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,456
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From: Honah Lee
You have been ask twice now for your model and year Harley.
I see only one pressure sensor even on the late model Harley with an information dash screen.
Remember what I said in my first post, don't drive it like that.
Yes, get a OEM sending unit. While there, ask for the one that controls the one that is giving you the read out in PSI and see what they say.
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Last edited by Jackie Paper; Apr 1, 2026 at 07:56 AM.
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From: Northern New Jersey
I was going to start a new thread on oil pressure but here goes..
My 17 RK ( had since new) was tripping the OP light occasionally so I put a mechanical gauge on it and kept the idiot light in place as well.
Bike normally has 45 psi cold start and settles down to 5 psi or so when fully warmed up, and immediately goes to 30-40 psi when you come off idle ( rpm dependent but it max's out at 45).
I use HD Synth 3 in it which I changed this winter. When I bought the oil at HD a few months ago I noticed they changed the spec on it from 20/50 to now 15/50 but didnt think much of it.
Went for first ride of the season today and even though the light didnt illuminate I noticed the mechanical gauge showed almost 0 at idle (fully warmed) as soon as I blip the throttle it goes right up following rpms till 45 max.
I know there were issues with with oil pump issues on the M8 but is this one of em or is this possibly due to the change to the 15/50 and if so, anyone have a good recommendation of a more stable oil to get the pressure up at idle? I know idle op isnt a big deal but just seems to me it should at least stay over 5 psi,no?
My 17 RK ( had since new) was tripping the OP light occasionally so I put a mechanical gauge on it and kept the idiot light in place as well.
Bike normally has 45 psi cold start and settles down to 5 psi or so when fully warmed up, and immediately goes to 30-40 psi when you come off idle ( rpm dependent but it max's out at 45).
I use HD Synth 3 in it which I changed this winter. When I bought the oil at HD a few months ago I noticed they changed the spec on it from 20/50 to now 15/50 but didnt think much of it.
Went for first ride of the season today and even though the light didnt illuminate I noticed the mechanical gauge showed almost 0 at idle (fully warmed) as soon as I blip the throttle it goes right up following rpms till 45 max.
I know there were issues with with oil pump issues on the M8 but is this one of em or is this possibly due to the change to the 15/50 and if so, anyone have a good recommendation of a more stable oil to get the pressure up at idle? I know idle op isnt a big deal but just seems to me it should at least stay over 5 psi,no?