Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: scribe917k on August 15, 2013, 07:03:27 PM

Title: Oil pressure light
Post by: scribe917k on August 15, 2013, 07:03:27 PM
Ok here is what im getting. I have a 1995 Ducati Monster 900. Just got it back from the shop a few days ago and put about 35 miles on it. They adjusted the shift pull on it because I was not able to shift into first gear at all. It now shifts great. I washed the bike and then took it for a quick ride. As soon as it warmed up (about 2 minutes into the ride) my oil pressure light came on. Went straight back to the house and checked the oil. It looked just a hair low so I added a bit of oil. It now has plenty of oil but the light still comes on when its warmed up. If I let it idle and warm up it will come on in about 3 minutes. Any suggestions?

I did notice when I got back from my 2 minute ride the sight glass had a milky looking streak on the inside. Is it possible that a few drops of water could have caused bad oil pressure or messed with the sensor? I plan on changing the oil to be on the safe side as far as that goes.

Thanks

Kyle
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: SpikeC on August 15, 2013, 07:13:36 PM
You got water in the connector for the sender. always look at the last thing that you did.
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: Speeddog on August 15, 2013, 07:14:57 PM
Check the actual oil pressure with a known-good gauge prior to riding it.

Did they have the clutch side cover off?

Did they change oil?

Milky sightglass is usually water vapor, which isn't a significant issue.
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: scribe917k on August 15, 2013, 07:21:35 PM
They did have the clutch side off I believe. They did not change the oil though.

Will water in the sender connection cause the light to come on? If so when it dries will it straighten out?

Thanks
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: brad black on August 15, 2013, 07:47:46 PM
generally it is a faulty or wet switch.

only way to find out for sure is to put a gauge on it.

oil level generally has nothing to do with it.  I've drained a litre of black sludge out of bikes that had the light going off as normal.

if it does have no pressure it's probably already rooted.  but it's only the big ends that need fixing.
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: SpikeC on August 15, 2013, 07:56:27 PM
 do keep us apprised as to how this shakes out!
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: scribe917k on August 15, 2013, 09:52:39 PM
Ok I will test it out again tomorrow to see if letting it dry out helped any. If that doesn't work I will dig up a tester.

Thanks
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: Howie on August 15, 2013, 10:01:16 PM
When dry, pack connector with dielectric grease.
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: lazylightnin717 on August 16, 2013, 05:01:58 AM
Yep. I've gone through three of the sensors now. Water will always ruin them.

You can unhook the coils, take the oil fill cap off and crank the motor.

If oil comes out, you know the pump is not seized.

My bet is on the sensor.
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: Slide Panda on August 16, 2013, 05:55:17 AM
Quote from: lazylightnin717 on August 16, 2013, 05:01:58 AM
My bet is on the sensor.

Mine too. Based on the fact this started right after a dose of soapy water - I'd wager some got down in the connection.

Blow it out and a touch of rubbing alch will help promote drying out - and of course leave it disconnected while you're letting the bike sit to dry it out.
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: ducpainter on August 16, 2013, 06:05:23 AM
Quote from: howie on August 15, 2013, 10:01:16 PM
When dry, pack connector with dielectric grease.
I just stopped washing it. :P
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: scribe917k on August 16, 2013, 02:20:10 PM
Ok messed with it for a few minutes today. Warmed it up in the garage and after a few minutes the oil light slowly started to illuminate. It finally came on all the way so I shut the bike down. Pulled the sensor out started the bike and oil was GUSHING OUT. Cleaned up my mess put the sensor back in and started the bike. After about 8 minutes the light slowly started to illuminate then would go out. It did this on and off for a few minutes but the light never did fully come on. Still haven checked the actual pressure with a gauge.  But it did take longer for the light to come on this time and it never really stayed on.

It almost seems that just by messing with the sensor it helped. So my thought is it could very well be the sensor.

Thanks
Title: Re: Oil pressure light
Post by: lazylightnin717 on August 17, 2013, 06:17:14 AM
It is  :P