Oil pressure light

Asked by Abelzj Jan 07, 2017 at 09:02 PM about the 1997 Volkswagen Jetta GL

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Just purchased a 97 vw Jetta. When the
engine gets over 1200 rpm the oil light
pops up, lower than 1200 rpm and it goes
away. Oil level is correct and clean. I guess
I need a starting point. What along the
equipment string could be malfunctioning
so I can start the process of elimination?
Thank you.

2 Answers

39,785

sender switch may be plugged, that would be nice and easy, that isn't the way things go usually, then the filter could be defected or wrong part number , probably not, could be why it was up for sale when you recently purchased it. holding above that 1200 rpm will be starving the bearings and will throw a rod or seize the pistons in a few minutes if the flow has slowed to this point. only thing I can deduce is the flow is restricted at the oil pump pickup in the pan from burnt sludge on the pickup tube screen, I once was able to send a probe thru the drain hole and relieve one by poking thru the screen! a worn out oil pump would probably act the opposed way by lousing pressure at low r.p.m. so I say pull the pan and repair the pickup screen

2 people found this helpful.

Had the same issue,replaced dashboard after mechanic checked oil pressure and replaced sender unit.

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