NissanConvert

iTrader: (1)

So tonight was the second time since November that my oil pressure got really low because my car desperately needed that wonderful black fluid of life. Thank God for my (linear) oil pressure gauge. which brings me to my point- is there any way i can wire up an idiot light to my DEFI system to tell me when my oil pressure gets low? I don't like engine sound or laggy acceleration to be my first indicator that something is wrong.

Defi gauges, pfc- any ideas?

foursquarejibber

What kind of Defi gauge do you have? Any link series, BF has a warning feature.

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

Why exactly are you running low on oil? Just check it every time you get gas if you're consuming that much oil.

NissanConvert

iTrader: (1)

DF037- i don't think it's even compatible with the link system (previous owner installed it, i'll dig in the dash this weekend)

My oil level doesn't move until i stop watching it.

rynberg

The stock oil pressure gauge already has a low oil level light built-in!

NissanConvert

iTrader: (1)

Then it's not working- is there a fuse should check?

poss

iTrader: (5)

he's talking about oil pressure, not oil level.

Funny that this came up. I've been thinking about ditching my aftermarket oil pressure gauge, but I don't necessarily trust the stock gauge, even with a new sender. So here's what I'm going to do:
get one of these, and install it in my RESpeed oil pedistal.
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pro...asp?RecId=2720

Then wire it into my stock oil level gauge light so it'll activate when oil level is low, or oil pressure is below 20 psi.

NissanConvert

iTrader: (1)

well, low oil pressure (on my DEFI gauge since the stocker is worthless) was my indication that the oil level was low. I'd like a more persistent visual indicator of lower readings of both.

That pressure switch looks just like a hobbs pressure switch. I'd make some phone calls to make sure it's not because i don't think the hobbs will take the temp of our oil. it's a good idea, agreed, i'd just make sure the components are up to the abuse.

DaveW

I guess I don't totally understand NissanConvert's original question.

I can understand having a low-pressure warning light. I have one on my racecar to give an early warning before serious damage occurs. However,

1. If adding oil solved the low pressure issue, why didn't the stock low-oil-level sensor give warning?
2. How does a low-pressure warning light give you information about oil level, unless it is already too low and should have lit the oil-level warning light?

Dave

NissanConvert

iTrader: (1)

1) That's what i want to know, before now i was un-aware that there was one.
2) Good question, I like multiple levels of "fail-safes". Especially since my low level light seems to have failed already.

So where's the sending unit, is there a fuse, bulb?

Dave, what oil pressure sensor do you have on your racecar? Has it worked? (has it indicated a problem, or have no problems arisen since you installed it?)

dontlift

If you still have the stock gauges: turn your key to "run" without starting the engine and you should see low level lights in both the oil and coolant gauges. There's a similar indicator in the fuel gauge for low fuel.

I believe the oil level sensor is on the driver's side of the oil pan. You can just barely see it from behind the LF tire at about the same height as the lower control arm.

DaveW

The stock low-oil level sender is in the left side of the stock pan. If you have an aftermarket pan, it may not have been reinstalled, since most of the aftermarket pans don't have a place machined in them to put it.

This is the low pressure warning sensor I have on my racecar. It's adjusted for 25 psi, which is a safe level for my use. It grounds at low pressure, and lights a bulb (separately installed in the dash) which has 12V power when the ignition is on. This one adjusts from 20-40 psi:

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pro...asp?RecId=2943

There are other ones available to alert at different pressures. This one alerts at 60 psi:

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/pro...ls.asp?RecId=7

It has worked very well, and has alerted me of low oil level on occasions when I had an oil baffling problem in my dry-sump setup, marginally-low oil level, etc. Mine is installed in parallel with the oil-pressure gauge, and it is obviously much easier to see a bright light flashing on than to try to see the gauge while in the middle of a corner.

Dave