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General Replacing the oil pressure switch?

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General Replacing the oil pressure switch?

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791979

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Hi, I have a Seat Marbella that has the 903 engine. It is 99% the same as the Fiat engine, and I am able to use the Panda Haynes manual for most things (although it's not a great manual).

I have a small problem, the oil pressure light never comes on, even when you switch the car on from cold.

I have removed the wire from the back of the sender, connected it to earth, and the light comes on. So I guess I need to repair or replace the switch. Is it possible that I can remove the switch and clean it up (or repair it in some way)?

Also, do I need to drain the oil from the engine before removing the switch?

Thanks :)
 
Hey there, sounds like the sensor has failed. Although best wait and see what other members say.

I had to take mine out once and from what i remember the sensor is only just above the oil level and leaks some out when you remove it. I dont think its worth draining the oil out for it though. Could just catch the drips in a small container underneath. I would unscrew it carefully though just in case I am wrong. In fact, if you had a trolly jack, maybe jack her up at the back so that the oil tips to the front. Or park on a hill maybe. I allways look for ways of cheating when doing the simple fixes.
I hope that helps anyway!
Cheers,
Si
 
When the engines stopped all the oil is in the sump, so oil wont drain out. Make sure wire is making good conection on switch and try again. If still not working its likely you need a new switch. Unscrew it and take it to a motor factors and they should fix you up for a few pounds. If it was me i would take the old one out and give it a good tapping in case anything is stuck, but i would know deep down i was wasting my time, and not going to get a lasting repair that way.
 
yeah, i think your right selecta man. The oil level should be much lower than the switch when its all settled. Perhaps when i had done it, I had just been running it. It is likely as I was coming back from work when I noticed the warning light problem mentioned before. And I dont like hanging about fixing a problem.

Si
 
Well, you always get a bit of oil coming out, dont you. Its an oily sort of place. As for switches, i always found they are all much of a sameness the main part being that they screw in ok. [sure some purist will shoot me down]. Nothing much in them. Just the oil pressure pushes up the hollow bore of the switch and two bits of metal make contact.
 
selecta man said:
Well, you always get a bit of oil coming out, dont you. Its an oily sort of place. As for switches, i always found they are all much of a sameness the main part being that they screw in ok. [sure some purist will shoot me down]. Nothing much in them. Just the oil pressure pushes up the hollow bore of the switch and two bits of metal make contact.
Click to expand...

Woud some switches opperate at different pressures? Depending on the particular engine.

Si
 
Last edited:
Thanks guys, I may go the whole hog and fit a pressure gauge. I'm looking into it now, I guess I will need a different sender for a gauge.
 
Suppose there can be a tad of difference , but that reminds me of when cars had oil pressure gauges, you know, the round dial on the dashboard. People used to turn up at work on a monday morning with an ashen look on their face worrying because the oil pressure had gone down 6 or 7 pounds. Yes you are right pandamonius, but ime not going to worry about it. [Are you the purist i mentioned a bit back?]Only joking==
 
791979 said:
Thanks guys, I may go the whole hog and fit a pressure gauge. I'm looking into it now, I guess I will need a different sender for a gauge.
Click to expand...

You know, I have just been thinking it would be awesome if i had a few gauges inside the car :D Was just about to look on ebay to see if anyone has a spare panda radio housing! Would make a brilliant gauge panel :devil:

Si
 
pandamonius_maximus said:
You know, I have just been thinking it would be awesome if i had a few gauges inside the car :D Was just about to look on ebay to see if anyone has a spare panda radio housing! Would make a brilliant gauge panel :devil:

Si
Click to expand...

By radio housing, do you mean the plastic box that lives inside the dashboard when the radio's not fitted? I may just be able to help you out with that one ;)

Clicky

Cheers,

Plug
 
nuovapanda said:
This Seat, its not black is it and in Bournemouth area? Only I looked at one like that recently and the oil light was broke on that one:)
Click to expand...

No, it's white and in Alicante, Spain. So hopefully I will never have rust issues :)

BTW, I took out the sender, soaked it in degreaser for a while, refitted it and it still don't work! Off to the car spares shop tomorrow.
 
pandamonius_maximus said:
You know, I have just been thinking it would be awesome if i had a few gauges inside the car :D Was just about to look on ebay to see if anyone has a spare panda radio housing! Would make a brilliant gauge panel :devil:

Si
Click to expand...
If you are inclined to be a purist dont fit any gauges, or you will end up worried to death. You wont have time to look/play with gps/stereo stuff. You will start with an oil pressure dial and find the reading is flucuating between 19-36 lb psi while the book says 42-57. Next you will worry the dial isent giving an accurate reading. So next we buy a calibrated professional oil gauge tester, and yes the oil pressure is way down. Next we put 20-50 oil in and still the same. So now there are two options. Constantly worry or do an engine rebuild. Perhaps how things are nowadays with just a token oil pressure gauge which gives a red light in emergency conditions is a kinder option for most of us.
 
selecta man said:
If you are inclined to be a purist dont fit any gauges, or you will end up worried to death. You wont have time to look/play with gps/stereo stuff. You will start with an oil pressure dial and find the reading is flucuating between 19-36 lb psi while the book says 42-57. Next you will worry the dial isent giving an accurate reading. So next we buy a calibrated professional oil gauge tester, and yes the oil pressure is way down. Next we put 20-50 oil in and still the same. So now there are two options. Constantly worry or do an engine rebuild. Perhaps how things are nowadays with just a token oil pressure gauge which gives a red light in emergency conditions is a kinder option for most of us.
Click to expand...

hehe, I'm not that pedantic. Cant help to have a bit more info in the car though, maybe a temperature gauge too! In fact the car needs a clock too. That should fill the radio space nicely!

We're only talking a beer fund contribution - a couple of pints should cover it . Are you coming to the April meet? I'll bring it along with me, just in case.

Cheers,

Plug
Click to expand...

Thats good with me, :D I will definately try to make it to the april meet. First south west (home) meet I have heard about...apart from the ff butlins meet in minehead. Couldnt go to that.:(
Cheers(y)
Si
 
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