Strange oil-light behaviour

Hi. The oil light on my '97 300TDi is behaving erratically and I'm hoping someone can help with possible causes / solutions.

Most of the time, the oil light behaves normally, but now and then it will start to come on whilst driving. What typically happens is everything is fine when motoring along for a while. Then, after a period of time, if the revs drop below about 1000 (eg when waiting at traffic lights or a roundabout) the light may come on. As soon as the revs top 1000 again, the light goes off.

I have only had the car about a week and it has done it twice now, both on short local journeys. On a recent 210 mile day trip the light stayed off all day.

I have checked the oil level and according to the dipstick it is almost at the full level.

Very many thanks, in advance

Sounds like an oil pressure problem to me.
I would think a new oil pump may be on the horizon, although a good flush out may cure it if its just a blockage.

sorry about your low oil pressure but it dont sound too good for the near future, if you let it continue like this.
a new oil pump asap may save the day.

on the bright side, it could be a faulty pressure switch i suppose?
really could do with an accurate oil gauge to indicate the correct pressure.

Change the oil too as the wrong grade can effect the pressure sensor and trick it into thinking the pressure is too low especially at low tick-over. Otherwise as suggested try replacing the oil pressure sensor or getting secondary tester, else.................dig around the back of the sofa for any loose change.....u might well need it.

change the oil and filter, put a new oil pressure switch on and see how it goes, don't listen to these scare monger's, try this first

not scaremongering mate. just a warning, that it could be a 10 quid jobby or poss an 800 quid SH lump or rebuild.
we all hope its just the P switch.

Check the wiring from the switch too - possibly a fault -if your lucky

yella disco said:

change the oil and filter, put a new oil pressure switch on and see how it goes, don't listen to these scare monger's, try this first

Click to expand...

the post before this recommends exactly the same without 'much' scare mongering

l3on said:

the post before this recommends exactly the same without 'much' scare mongering

Click to expand...

what do you want, a medal

Thanks for all the advice guys.

After much deliberation I have decided to:
a) change oil and filter - and if that don't work, then
b) change pressure switch - and if that don't work, then
c) take the ****in thing back under the 30 day warranty (before he discovers he took a real ****-heap in part-exchange for the Disco)

Hey Median, what happened then? Someone else is in the same boat, and needs advice!