oil indicator light not working.
oil indicator light not working.
Oil light does not come on when I tun on the ignition. Book says to disconnect wire at switch and ground to engine. "If the oil pressure warning light operates properly," (it came on), "attach the electrical connector to the pressure switch. Make sure the connection is tight and free of oil" Connection seems tight and is free of oil. Still no light. Do I now lookto abad switchor elswhere? 1999 883 XLH, 7600 miles. Bought it from the dealer in Dec. Been sitting in a cold garage since then. Has been fired up once when my neighbor came by to see it.Can't remember if the light worked then or not.Going to talk to the dealer as his checklist says the indicator lites were functional, but what can go wrong with it just sitting? If it is no go there, where do I look next. Thanks
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: oil indicator light not working.
It's probably just fine (normal).
Here's how you want to check it. With the bike cold, DO NOT use the choke or twist the throttle. Turn on the ignition switch and then just bump the start button. (you don't want the engine to start) The oil indicator should now be lit.
Here's how you want to check it. With the bike cold, DO NOT use the choke or twist the throttle. Turn on the ignition switch and then just bump the start button. (you don't want the engine to start) The oil indicator should now be lit.
RE: oil indicator light not working.
ORIGINAL: cHarley
It's probably just fine (normal).
Here's how you want to check it. With the bike cold, DO NOT use the choke or twist the throttle. Turn on the ignition switch and then just bump the start button. (you don't want the engine to start) The oil indicator should now be lit.
It's probably just fine (normal).
Here's how you want to check it. With the bike cold, DO NOT use the choke or twist the throttle. Turn on the ignition switch and then just bump the start button. (you don't want the engine to start) The oil indicator should now be lit.
Nope. Any other suggestions?
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: oil indicator light not working.
Just to make double sure, pull the plug wires off and repeat the above test, letting the engine turn over several revolutions. If that doesn't cause it to lite, I would suspect you have a bad (open) oil pressure switch.
PS, you should be able to fix your sig picture by replaceing the "//s244" with "//i244" (lower case I) and also the [IMG] tags are backwards. the "/image" should be at the end. (no / on the first one).
PS, you should be able to fix your sig picture by replaceing the "//s244" with "//i244" (lower case I) and also the [IMG] tags are backwards. the "/image" should be at the end. (no / on the first one).
RE: oil indicator light not working.
Thanks for the information. If turning it over doesn't do the trick I am going to try pulling the switch, soaking it for awhile and blowing it out. Might be gunked up from sitting
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,777
Likes: 3
From: Fugitive from justice
RE: oil indicator light not working.
If light does not come on with no oil pressure, then switch is 'made'.....or circuit is shorted to ground like switch is made.
Assume switch is faulty and replace.......Or get out yourVOM (set to Ohms)and test the switch......It should be 'open' when not running, and closed when running.
Idiot light looks for an open so short to ground or loose connection will fool it.....so first check switch....if switch is open when not running but you don't have light, then look for short to ground or open after switch.
The fun part is it could be backward from above....either way, it's the same so get your vom out and find it....start at switch and determine NO/NC position(normally open-normally closed).....In all my years I ain't never seen an oil pressure sending unit not make on pressure, but knowing HD, it might break when pressure is there
.
This is easy, and you can do it.
Assume switch is faulty and replace.......Or get out yourVOM (set to Ohms)and test the switch......It should be 'open' when not running, and closed when running.
Idiot light looks for an open so short to ground or loose connection will fool it.....so first check switch....if switch is open when not running but you don't have light, then look for short to ground or open after switch.
The fun part is it could be backward from above....either way, it's the same so get your vom out and find it....start at switch and determine NO/NC position(normally open-normally closed).....In all my years I ain't never seen an oil pressure sending unit not make on pressure, but knowing HD, it might break when pressure is there
.This is easy, and you can do it.
RE: oil indicator light not working.
ORIGINAL: YodaddyKeith
If light does not come on with no oil pressure, then switch is 'made'.....or circuit is shorted to ground like switch is made.
Assume switch is faulty and replace.......Or get out yourVOM (set to Ohms)and test the switch......It should be 'open' when not running, and closed when running.
Idiot light looks for an open so short to ground or loose connection will fool it.....so first check switch....if switch is open when not running but you don't have light, then look for short to ground or open after switch.
The fun part is it could be backward from above....either way, it's the same so get your vom out and find it....start at switch and determine NO/NC position(normally open-normally closed).....In all my years I ain't never seen an oil pressure sending unit not make on pressure, but knowing HD, it might break when pressure is there.
This is easy, and you can do it.
If light does not come on with no oil pressure, then switch is 'made'.....or circuit is shorted to ground like switch is made.
Assume switch is faulty and replace.......Or get out yourVOM (set to Ohms)and test the switch......It should be 'open' when not running, and closed when running.
Idiot light looks for an open so short to ground or loose connection will fool it.....so first check switch....if switch is open when not running but you don't have light, then look for short to ground or open after switch.
The fun part is it could be backward from above....either way, it's the same so get your vom out and find it....start at switch and determine NO/NC position(normally open-normally closed).....In all my years I ain't never seen an oil pressure sending unit not make on pressure, but knowing HD, it might break when pressure is there
.This is easy, and you can do it.
Trending Topics
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: oil indicator light not working.
Sorry Keith, but on HD the pressure switch closes (completes the circuit to ground) to turn on the oil indicator. It you pull the wire off the sending unit terminal (open circuit) the indicator will be off. I just had to troubleshoot & replace mine last month. FYI, Accell makes a replacement sending unit for the HD one that's better quality, about $13 from my local Indy.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: oil indicator light not working.
ORIGINAL: vet767
I am not really good with electrical stuff, so this confuses me a bit. Light does not come on when ignition is on. When I disconnect lead at switch and ground it the light comes on. That would be the same as the circuit being shorted to ground. Is that correct or not? In testing the switch where do I place the leads and what should I look for on the meter. Please treat me like a dumba$$ when it comes the electrical, cause that what I am. I was cat crew on a bird farm, not a nuc sailor. Thanks
I am not really good with electrical stuff, so this confuses me a bit. Light does not come on when ignition is on. When I disconnect lead at switch and ground it the light comes on. That would be the same as the circuit being shorted to ground. Is that correct or not? In testing the switch where do I place the leads and what should I look for on the meter. Please treat me like a dumba$$ when it comes the electrical, cause that what I am. I was cat crew on a bird farm, not a nuc sailor. Thanks
By the way, I found it easier to remove and replace by removing the oil filter to get more working room, and comming in with a pair of channel-loks (slip joint) pliers from that side. The sensor in not real tight and loosens easily. Don't over tighten when you put the new one back in.
RE: oil indicator light not working.
Okay, if i read this right, by putting the test lead of the ohm meter on the switch contact and the other lead to ground there should be resistance if the switch is operational?