Hi

I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.

Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?

BR

David

"DavidA"  wrote in message 
news:93d99747-7605-4667-a6cb-8e16f37f28c9@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Hi
>
> I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
> Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
> or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
> lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
> light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
>
> Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
>
> BR
>
> David

Faulty oil pressure switch ?

Can the mk2 be scanned with VAG-COM, could be worth a scan to see if any 
error codes are present ?

DavidA wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
> Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
> or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
> lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
> light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
>
> Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
>
> BR
>
> David

I would check the engine earth lead first, remove it and clean the ends and 
the places they touch and bolt it back on tightly, also check the 
connections at the battery and battery lead to body, check that the 
alternator is tightly bolted on and if possible check that the places it 
bolts on are clean, likewise check all the alternator connections.  I can't 
remember on those, but some cars have a multi way plug to connect all the 
engine electrics, again if you have one that would be worth looking at.

"Sarah"  wrote in message 
news:zfqdnT23F5O3eBHVnZ2dnUVZ8qLinZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "DavidA"  wrote in message 
> news:93d99747-7605-4667-a6cb-8e16f37f28c9@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>> Hi
>>
>> I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
>> Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
>> or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
>> lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
>> light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
>>
>> Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
>>
>> BR
>>
>> David
>
> Faulty oil pressure switch ?
>
> Can the mk2 be scanned with VAG-COM, could be worth a scan to see if any 
> error codes are present ?

Nope. The 1600 is a boggo carburated and clockwork model. AFAIK there are no 
fault code readers for the K-jet or Digifant cars either.

Sarah  wrote:

> "DavidA"  wrote in message 
> news:93d99747-7605-4667-a6cb-8e16f37f28c9@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> > Hi
> >
> > I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
> > Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
> > or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
> > lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
> > light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
> >
> > Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
> >
> > BR
> >
> > David
> 
> Faulty oil pressure switch ?
> 
> Can the mk2 be scanned with VAG-COM, could be worth a scan to see if any
> error codes are present ? 

Erm, no.

The MkII Golf doesn't have an ECU.
-- 
SteveH 'You're not a real petrolhead unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo'
www.italiancar.co.uk - Ducati 750SS - Hongdou GY200
Alfa 75 TSpark - Alfa 156 TSpark - B6 Passat 2.0TDI SE

"SteveH"  wrote in message 
news:1ikrfr4.hexbhbwcwglmN%steve@italiancar.co.uk...
> Sarah  wrote:
>
>> "DavidA"  wrote in message
>> news:93d99747-7605-4667-a6cb-8e16f37f28c9@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>> > Hi
>> >
>> > I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
>> > Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
>> > or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
>> > lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
>> > light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
>> >
>> > Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
>> >
>> > BR
>> >
>> > David
>>
>> Faulty oil pressure switch ?
>>
>> Can the mk2 be scanned with VAG-COM, could be worth a scan to see if any
>> error codes are present ?
>
> Erm, no.
>
> The MkII Golf doesn't have an ECU.
>

Ahh back to when cars required mechanical knowledge hehe

Mrcheerful wrote:
> DavidA wrote:
>> Hi
>>
>> I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
>> Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
>> or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
>> lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
>> light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
>>
>> Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
>>
>> BR
>>
>> David
> 
> I would check the engine earth lead first, remove it and clean the ends and 
> the places they touch and bolt it back on tightly, also check the 
> connections at the battery and battery lead to body, check that the 
> alternator is tightly bolted on and if possible check that the places it 
> bolts on are clean, likewise check all the alternator connections.  I can't 
> remember on those, but some cars have a multi way plug to connect all the 
> engine electrics, again if you have one that would be worth looking at. 
> 
>
If it's a '90 spec Mk2 it'll have two multiplugs, earlier I think had 
one, but it could be the other way around.

Easy way to check is to have the engine running, connect a jump lead to 
  the battery earth, put the headlights on and then touch the other end 
of the jump lead to the engine block. If the headlights become brighter 
you've got a knackered earth strap somewhere.


-- 
Pete M - OMF#9

BMW 325i SE Touring
Range Rover V8 Turbo

"Wait! We can't stop here, this is Bat Country"

DavidA wrote:
> Hi
> 
> I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
> Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
> or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
> lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
> light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
> 
> Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
> 
> BR
> 
> David
Oil pressure switch, battery voltage, instrument panel earths, engine 
earth strap, battery connections.

In article <93d99747-7605-4667-a6cb-8e16f37f28c9
@k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com>, DavidA says...
> Hi
> 
> I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
> Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
> or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
> lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
> light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
> 
> Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
> 
Oil pressure guage to check there's actually some oil pressure. Once 
that's been checked then there's the pressure switch if it's OK. If 
not, then its either worn return spring/plunger, oil pump or bottom 
end.

HOWEVER you say the lights dim. That has me worried. I'm kind of 
wondeinring if the engine is starting to lock up.

-- 
Conor

I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't 
looking good either. - Scott Adams

On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:53:13 +0100, Conor  wrote:

> In article <93d99747-7605-4667-a6cb-8e16f37f28c9
> @k37g2000hsf.googlegroups.com>, DavidA says...
>> Hi
>>
>> I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
>> Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
>> or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
>> lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
>> light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
>>
>> Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
>>
> Oil pressure guage to check there's actually some oil pressure. Once
> that's been checked then there's the pressure switch if it's OK. If
> not, then its either worn return spring/plunger, oil pump or bottom
> end.
>
> HOWEVER you say the lights dim. That has me worried. I'm kind of
> wondeinring if the engine is starting to lock up.
>


I'd imagine the driver being flung forwards hard at the same time might  
also be mentioned.

Thanks for all your replies. I checked the earth strap using a jump
lead as suggested and it seems ok.

> HOWEVER you say the lights dim. That has me worried. I'm kind of
> wondeinring if the engine is starting to lock up.

Gulp, what does that mean?

David

DavidA wrote:
> Thanks for all your replies. I checked the earth strap using a jump
> lead as suggested and it seems ok.
> 
>> HOWEVER you say the lights dim. That has me worried. I'm kind of
>> wondeinring if the engine is starting to lock up.
> 
> Gulp, what does that mean?
> 
> David
Conor is thinking the engine is starting to seize. Does your car have a 
rev counter, and if so, what does it read at idle while the oil lamp is 
on? Is the engine running well?

Pete M wrote:
> Mrcheerful wrote:
>> DavidA wrote:
>>> Hi
>>>
>>> I have an old (1989) Mk 2 Golf 1600 Auto that has done 130k miles.
>>> Sometimes while driving the oil pressure warning light comes on dimly
>>> or full on, and then goes off again. Also, the head lights and dash
>>> lights often dim at the same time that the oil light comes on. The oil
>>> light also comes on sometimes when the headlights are off.
>>>
>>> Please can someone advise me what to check (apart from the oil level)?
>>>
>>> BR
>>>
>>> David
>>
>> I would check the engine earth lead first, remove it and clean the 
>> ends and the places they touch and bolt it back on tightly, also check 
>> the connections at the battery and battery lead to body, check that 
>> the alternator is tightly bolted on and if possible check that the 
>> places it bolts on are clean, likewise check all the alternator 
>> connections.  I can't remember on those, but some cars have a multi 
>> way plug to connect all the engine electrics, again if you have one 
>> that would be worth looking at.
>>
> If it's a '90 spec Mk2 it'll have two multiplugs, earlier I think had 
> one, but it could be the other way around.
> 
> Easy way to check is to have the engine running, connect a jump lead to 
>  the battery earth, put the headlights on and then touch the other end 
> of the jump lead to the engine block. If the headlights become brighter 
> you've got a knackered earth strap somewhere.
> 

I don't know how I forgot this, but the Mk2 Golf has *two* oil pressure 
switches - one on the head and one on the block (on the oil cooler on 
GTis). Normally if the head isn't getting oil it'll make the light blink 
like fuck, don't think it goes quite as mental when the block is oil 
starved. Weird that. Anyway, check 'em both.


-- 
Pete M - OMF#9

BMW 325i SE Touring
Range Rover V8 Turbo

"Wait! We can't stop here, this is Bat Country"

On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:44:11 +0100, Chris Bartram  
 wrote:

> DavidA wrote:
>> Thanks for all your replies. I checked the earth strap using a jump
>> lead as suggested and it seems ok.
>>
>>> HOWEVER you say the lights dim. That has me worried. I'm kind of
>>> wondeinring if the engine is starting to lock up.
>>  Gulp, what does that mean?
>>  David
> Conor is thinking the engine is starting to seize. Does your car have a  
> rev counter, and if so, what does it read at idle while the oil lamp is  
> on? Is the engine running well?


The rev counter will drop as well anyway if the feed voltage drops.

Duncan Wood wrote:
> On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:44:11 +0100, Chris Bartram 
>  wrote:
> 
>> DavidA wrote:
>>> Thanks for all your replies. I checked the earth strap using a jump
>>> lead as suggested and it seems ok.
>>>
>>>> HOWEVER you say the lights dim. That has me worried. I'm kind of
>>>> wondeinring if the engine is starting to lock up.
>>>  Gulp, what does that mean?
>>>  David
>> Conor is thinking the engine is starting to seize. Does your car have 
>> a rev counter, and if so, what does it read at idle while the oil lamp 
>> is on? Is the engine running well?
> 
> 
> The rev counter will drop as well anyway if the feed voltage drops.
I did wonder about that. I suppose the counter will be fed from the same 
supply and regulator in the instrument pack, so you're probably right.


FWIW, I reckon it's just a dodgy ground (or said regulator!)somewhere 
causing the instruments to give a false reading. No mention of 
near-stalling or any nasty noises. One sure way to test would be to get 
a oil pressure gauge temporarily plumbed in.

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:55:11 +0100, Chris Bartram  
 wrote:

> Duncan Wood wrote:
>> On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:44:11 +0100, Chris Bartram  
>>  wrote:
>>
>>> DavidA wrote:
>>>> Thanks for all your replies. I checked the earth strap using a jump
>>>> lead as suggested and it seems ok.
>>>>
>>>>> HOWEVER you say the lights dim. That has me worried. I'm kind of
>>>>> wondeinring if the engine is starting to lock up.
>>>>  Gulp, what does that mean?
>>>>  David
>>> Conor is thinking the engine is starting to seize. Does your car have  
>>> a rev counter, and if so, what does it read at idle while the oil lamp  
>>> is on? Is the engine running well?
>>   The rev counter will drop as well anyway if the feed voltage drops.
> I did wonder about that. I suppose the counter will be fed from the same  
> supply and regulator in the instrument pack, so you're probably right.
>
>
> FWIW, I reckon it's just a dodgy ground (or said regulator!)somewhere  
> causing the instruments to give a false reading. No mention of  
> near-stalling or any nasty noises. One sure way to test would be to get  
> a oil pressure gauge temporarily plumbed in.


All in all I think a seized engine's the least likely cause

Thanks very much to all who have replied. My Golf does not have a rev
counter so I couldn't check the engine speed. I did use a jump lead to
check the earth strap with the car started from cold but there was no
difference in the headlights which appeared bright. The dimming really
only occurs when the car is warm and moving. I will try pulling over
and checking with a jump lead again when I see the problem.

David

DavidA wrote:
> Thanks very much to all who have replied. My Golf does not have a rev
> counter so I couldn't check the engine speed. I did use a jump lead to
> check the earth strap with the car started from cold but there was no
> difference in the headlights which appeared bright. The dimming really
> only occurs when the car is warm and moving. I will try pulling over
> and checking with a jump lead again when I see the problem.
> 
> David
I'd suspect an instrument panel fault, or a fault with it's connections, 
then.

Duncan Wood wrote:

> All in all I think a seized engine's the least likely cause

I'd agree.