Low Oil Pressure Warning Light Does Not Light

Tiny
ZAKTERCEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 TOYOTA TERCEL
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 224,000 MILES
Just noticed recently that this warning light isn't coming on. Service manual says to check 4 things: 1) Gauge fuse is blown, 2) bulb is burned out, 3)Low oil pressure warning switch is faulty, 4) wiring or ground faulty.

I want to check-out my thinking around these 4 things. First, if the gauge fuse is blown, wouldn't other things (like the brake warning light) also not work? Second, if a bulb is burned out, does each warning light have it's own bulb? Is accessing that something that should only be done by a very experienced person? Third, for the low oil pressure warning switch, it says to Disconnect the connector from the pressure switch and ground the connector on the wire harness side. I am imagining that means to take the wire off the switch and then connect it to a metal part of the chassis. Is that correct?

Any other thoughts or suggestions on problem-solving this?


Thanks!

Zak
Sunday, November 22nd, 2015 AT 10:10 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Ground out the wire on oil pressure switch with key on if light comes on it may be a bad switch. If not then check for a burnt out bulb
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Monday, November 23rd, 2015 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
ZAKTERCEL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi HMAC -

I am feeling like an idiot on this. I can't figure out how to ground out the wire. Any suggestions?
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Thursday, December 31st, 2015 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Take the wire off the switch and touch to engine see if light goes on. Have an assistant look for it.
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Friday, January 1st, 2016 AT 6:46 AM
Tiny
ZAKTERCEL
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Hi HMAC - I tried this again on Saturday. Took the connector off the switch. The metal part of the connector is recessed in plastic. I was concerned about pulling the wire off the connector, so I took a wire with stripped ends and touched it to the metal part and the engine. No light. Does that sound like an acceptable way of testing, or am I missing something?

I am thinking I need to move onto the light bulb now, but I can't find any instructions in the Toyota Service Manual, Haynes, or Chilton on how to access the light bulb in the dashboard. Any suggestions?
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Monday, January 11th, 2016 AT 9:58 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Ya that was okto do. Hope your key was on whe n you did it. You'll have to pull cluster out to change bulb
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Tuesday, January 12th, 2016 AT 6:10 AM

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