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Re: Oil pressure idiot light

To: Frank Biedermann <frank@ssabsa.sa.gov.au>, TR List <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: Oil pressure idiot light
From: Dave Massey <105671.471@compuserve.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 21:40:02 -0400
Frank writes:

>Yesterday an interesting thing started happening to the oil pressure
>warning light on the dash of my TR6. Shortly after startup the light
>extinguishes (as expected), however, after around two minutes of the
>engine running it comes on and stays on. This happens despite the oil
>pressure (according to the gauge) being around 75psi (cruising).

>I initially suspected that the oil pressure switch in the block is
>broken, but surely the oil light would be permanently on or off if
>this is the case. Anyone have any ideas?

>Thanks in advance,

>Frank Biedermann
>1969 TR6 PI

Not so, Frank.  Inside the oil pressure switch is a set of contacts, a
spring and 
a diagham.  The spring pushes the contacts together and the oil pressure 
pushes against the spring.  If the diaghram has a small leak (and this has 
happened to me) the oil pressure will compress the spring until the enough 
oil leaks through the diaghram and equallizes the pressure allowing the 
spring to close the contacts again.  All this can happen and still not leak
oil 
out of the switch.  Ask me how I know.

Buy a new switch, they're cheap (even in Austrailian Dollars) or better yet

borrow one from a club member and forget to return it. (Just kidding)

Dave Massey
St. Louis, MO USA

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