Hi, I have an B250 Royal van 1987 and suddenly the oil warning light started flashing, but the meter to the right is showing an ok value.
I looked at the motor oil dipstick and saw that the oil level was to low so I gave the engine about litre. Now the oil level is between add and full but the warning light is still flashing. Why ?
Does anyone have an explanation ?

Martin from Sweden.

 

oil change due, maybe?

 

The gauge and idiot light are not to be trusted. You can buy a mechanical gauge for about 30$(here in the US anyway) that gives you real time oil PSI, instead of the 30 to 45 second delay with the Stock electric models, or you can hook up a tester and see what your PSI really is with a hot engine at idle speeds. You can also just buy a new sending unit for 3 to 33 dollars.

Are you getting any engine noises when the light illuminates?

This is a photo of what RockAuto says an oil pressure switch looks like on an '87. It looks different on my '89 which has a taller electrical connector. It is about 6 inches to the right of the distributor. Check the wiring.

 

Thanks for your quick answers.
I hear no noise when the light flashes and.
Why is there both a light and a meter, the light to the left and the meter to the right.
The meter rises nice up against the H (high), I suppose that means high (normal) oil pressure.
The oil is black so I must change it anyway, at the same time I will buy a new sending unit and then I will see what happens.

Thanks again

 

Hi, I have changed oil and filter in the engine now, but the warning light still flashes.
Must be some electric problem.

Martin

 

Turn the key to on position, But DO NOT start engine. Then push the gas pedal to the floor 3 times within 5 seconds, then turn key off.

For many vehicles this is the standard oil light (or service light) reset procedure after doing an oil change. See if that solves the problem.