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Oil Pressure Gauge / Sensor
Posted: Thu May 08, 2025 1:42 pm
by p in phcas
The oil pressure warning is flickering on (sometimes) at tickover. I am not convinced there's an issue with the overall pressure and I suspect maybe the sender is on it's last legs after 35 years.
First question: Does anyone have details of what the sender should be measured at when working correctly?
Second Question: Is there a kit or list of bits where I could install a VDO oil gauge using existing engine orifices? Straight replacement on the sender switch for a pressure sensor or something else?
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge / Sensor
Posted: Fri May 09, 2025 10:47 am
by GT_II
VW's Engines workshop manual describes a method of testing which relies on a special VAG pressure gauge which takes its own pressure reading and compares it with the reading given by the car's sensor. I guess the only practical way to test whether the sensor is faulty would be to substitute it with another one known to be working.
However, I guess it may be worth changing the oil and filter first if it's not been done for a long while, in case that's affecting the pressure readings
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge / Sensor
Posted: Tue May 13, 2025 10:54 am
by p in phcas
I found a post on a golf forum that suggests that the oil light and warning is based on 2 sensors - dynamic oil pressure sensor. One for low pressure and one read when the revs are over 2000rpm.
https://www.reflectionsandshadows.com/cabby/dopws.html Is that valid to the Scirocco as well (Scala 1.8 DX)
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge / Sensor
Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 12:37 am
by GT_II
Yes, they are both mentioned in the manual, but with no indication of which engines have both. I think the low pressure one would be the only one relevant to a flickering warning light at idle. The parts diagram suggests if only the low pressure sensor is fitted, it would be mounted either in the end of the cylinder head between the rocker cover and the coolant flange, or round the back of the cylinder head pointing towards the bulkhead. If both are fitted, it looks like they would be both mounted on a so-called banjo fitting attached to the port round the back of the cylinder head, with the high pressure sensor pointing upwards/sideways, and the low pressure sensor pointing towards the bulkhead
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge / Sensor
Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 8:56 am
by p in phcas
GT_II wrote: Wed May 14, 2025 12:37 am
Yes, they are both mentioned in the manual, but with no indication of which engines have both. I think the low pressure one would be the only one relevant to a flickering warning light at idle. The parts diagram suggests if only the low pressure sensor is fitted, it would be mounted either in the end of the cylinder head between the rocker cover and the coolant flange, or round the back of the cylinder head pointing towards the bulkhead. If both are fitted, it looks like they would be both mounted on a so-called banjo fitting attached to the port round the back of the cylinder head, with the high pressure sensor pointing upwards/sideways, and the low pressure sensor pointing towards the bulkhead
OK, I will check it out and update here based on what I find
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge / Sensor
Posted: Wed May 14, 2025 1:07 pm
by GT_II
Coincidentally, a thread on this topic has just popped up on the Mk1 Golf forum. Looks like it may be worth a good read:
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.ph ... st_1679836
The car's a bit of an oldie but it's still probably quite relevant
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge / Sensor
Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 6:29 pm
by p in phcas
Ho hum, the problem seems to have gone away. Honestly I didn't take the bulb out!
Re: Oil Pressure Gauge / Sensor
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2025 7:10 am
by james butler
get yourself a cheap oil pressure kit and remove the sender in the head to test the oil pressure, no point guessing your actual oil presure as your current sender might be telling the truth
