oil light flickers at random
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Hampton NJ
oil light flickers at random
99' Sporty 1200 custom. 2 rides ago on my way home the oil light started to flicker. I changed the oil, oil filter, plugs, wires, air filter, and primary oil. I was 300 miles short of due for all of it anyway at 24,700 miles. It still comes on and off even after swapping everything for new. I have owned the bike myself for 3 years with no issue. The light will flicker completely at random, either at idle or even at higher rpm's. Oil temp stays at around 200 when warmed up. No oil leaking anywhere no visible smoke and no clue to whats wrong. Any direction to look at this point would be helpful. Thank you.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Check the wire connection on the oil pressure sending unit. It's on the front of the motor, down low near the oil filter. The sending unit may also be bad, they're pretty inexpensive generic automotive parts, ~$15.00.
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Hampton NJ
I checked the connection and even did the wiring test as described in the service book. The wiring is fine the connection was good. I'm now going to replace the switch. I also inspected the oil lines to see if they were pinched ,they are fine. I guess next will be to replacement the switch. I'll let you know how it goes I'll add some pics when I'm all done too.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 153
From: Street, Md.
Well there is always electrical tape over the light. JK. Possible loose ground to or in the switch causing intermittent light flash. Just gotta love the intermittent problems definitely can cause hair loss
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Hampton NJ
So that did the trick. Cost me all of $12.87 for the hd part to boot. Lost all of 4ounces of oil in the process from when I pulled the old one out to getting the new one in. Topped off my oil just for good measure. Love the responsiveness with fresh fluids and filters. Thanks again for yoyr help $12.87 is a whole lot better than $89/hr for the dealer to make such a simple repair. All said and done actual wrench time with testing the wiring 20 minutes.
Stage III
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Same issue, solved
Used this thread to help my issue. Thought I'd add my solution.
98 1200xl with 75k miles.
I replaced the sensor, but the issue came back. I could see oil circulating and putting my hand over the oil cover, I could feel suction and pressure. I noticed the light flicker once at high rpm when I hit a pothole, and that clued me into it being likely wiring. Wiring around the sensor was not having an impact from wiggling or adjusting. So I followed the wire.
Under the sporty, behind the jack lift braces, I saw a very dirty connection plug hanging about an inch below everything else. Pulled it apart. Cleaned it. Tucked it further up and... Bingo. No flickering oil light.
Thanks for starting the thread and I hope this helps someone. The pressure sensor doesn't take much to trigger it, so seeing circulation is a good sign that it's just electrical connection. Follow the wire and clean the connections.
98 1200xl with 75k miles.
I replaced the sensor, but the issue came back. I could see oil circulating and putting my hand over the oil cover, I could feel suction and pressure. I noticed the light flicker once at high rpm when I hit a pothole, and that clued me into it being likely wiring. Wiring around the sensor was not having an impact from wiggling or adjusting. So I followed the wire.
Under the sporty, behind the jack lift braces, I saw a very dirty connection plug hanging about an inch below everything else. Pulled it apart. Cleaned it. Tucked it further up and... Bingo. No flickering oil light.
Thanks for starting the thread and I hope this helps someone. The pressure sensor doesn't take much to trigger it, so seeing circulation is a good sign that it's just electrical connection. Follow the wire and clean the connections.
Same here , my connector was loose and the light was flickering . I gave it a gentle squeeze with some pliers to make it very slightly oval and pushed it back on . It's down behind the oil filter . Job done.
Trending Topics
Stage III
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
It's back, but still troubleshooting
Ok, started flickering again, so I changed the oil and all was well for a while, then it came back.
So, having ruled out the pressure sensor by swapping it out twice and running with it unplugged without seeing a light already, I decided to work on the oil feed line. It looked like it was in good shape, so I had dismissed it before, but it made sense that the more I rode, the more air got into the system and the more I saw a problem.
I decided to put some flowable silicone on the end of the oil lines while they were still attached. Then I started the bike for about 15 seconds to let it suck just a touch in if there was a intake leak. After 8 hours I did a familiar ride where I had noticed a pattern in the flickering showing up and... Only flickered once. So, next I will be replacing the feed line. No oil pressure gauge for me in my arsenal yet.
So, having ruled out the pressure sensor by swapping it out twice and running with it unplugged without seeing a light already, I decided to work on the oil feed line. It looked like it was in good shape, so I had dismissed it before, but it made sense that the more I rode, the more air got into the system and the more I saw a problem.
I decided to put some flowable silicone on the end of the oil lines while they were still attached. Then I started the bike for about 15 seconds to let it suck just a touch in if there was a intake leak. After 8 hours I did a familiar ride where I had noticed a pattern in the flickering showing up and... Only flickered once. So, next I will be replacing the feed line. No oil pressure gauge for me in my arsenal yet.
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RobertV
Oil Archive (no new posts)
4
Jan 12, 2013 10:53 AM