Faulty oil pressure switch

[Real Recognize Real]

My switch for my '94 M900 is leaking oil so I figure it's time to replace it. Also my Haynes manual states that this unit is defective if the oil light illuminates when the wire terminal is grounded to the crankcase - which was the case for mine. Even though the replacement unit from a Ducati dealer isn't terribly expensive, are these units available at local auto stores? I'd like to save some coin if possible?

Cheers!

[Howie]

A VW unit will fit, but you will need to modify the connector, IMO, not worth the trouble.  I don't know the part #, but the higher pressure (1.4 bar) off a Mark III VR6 would be the one you want.

[Real Recognize Real]

A VW unit will fit, but you will need to modify the connector, IMO, not worth the trouble.  I don't know the part #, but the higher pressure (1.4 bar) off a Mark III VR6 would be the one you want.

I'll probably pass on that option since I'm looking for a direct swap. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

[ducatiz]

oil pressure switches are all the same.  differences are generally aesthetic only..

[Slide Panda]

Except that different ones trip at different pressures. Just get the oem one. It's not that bad

[ducpainter]

Except that different ones trip at different pressures. Just get the oem one. It's not that bad

That's true....  my experience is once it comes on it's usually too late.

[ducatiz]

Except that different ones trip at different pressures. Just get the oem one. It's not that bad

my point was that you can find ones that trip at the same pressure but they might look different.  the one howie listed trips at the same pressure.

[Düb Lüv]

A VW unit will fit, but you will need to modify the connector, IMO, not worth the trouble.  I don't know the part #, but the higher pressure (1.4 bar) off a Mark III VR6 would be the one you want.

+1 stumbling on this finding a couple years ago. but mine was off a 1990 90 audi coupe quattro engine.

[Real Recognize Real]

That's true....  my experience is once it comes on it's usually too late.

I've read that some people will replace the sender with a bolt because they feel that the light doesn't give enough warning/time before bad things happen.

btw - I assume this is the sender howie referenced...http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_III--VR6_12v/Engine/Electrical/ES6497/

I assume this unit would be a direct swap - I don't think I'd need to modify the connector, correct?

[Düb Lüv]

I've read that some people will replace the sender with a bolt because they feel that the light doesn't give enough warning/time before bad things

Duck stew hinted to me the perfect block off bolt comes from your stock header. Countersunk 5mm Allen bolt. Very discrete.

[Howie]

That be it.  The Ducati OEM unit is designed for a weatherpack connector.  The VW is a 5/16 spade connector.  Since Ducati somehow managed to design theirs to hold in the results of bad weather with the resulting glowing oil light if you want to go with the VW unit.  Typically,  oil pressure senders are set at 5 PSI or less, that one, like the OEM sendor is set at about 20 PSI, maybe giving you a chance.

[Kopfjager]

That's true....  my experience is once it comes on it's usually too late.

[Real Recognize Real]

Update...

I purchased and installed the superseded Ducati oil pressure switch and that seemed to do the trick. The local Ducati dealer that sold it to me offered to install it for a nominal fee, but I already purchased some fancy gearwrenches just for this job so I politely declined. Eventhough it's kinda annoying when a part fails, it presents a wonderful excuse to purchase shiny new tools . I should probably purchase a pressure gauge and compare the readings against the  published specs to verify that everything is kosher.