VW T3: Oil pressure warning system info

[@EXOVCDS]

Golf's & Jetta's of similar vintage have a similar setup (1 or 2 pressure switches depending on the engine). A wiring diagram in all cases, can help make sense of what system your vehicle has. Don't ignore / bypass RED warning lights!!! =)

[@KStewart-th4sk]

Hi, will post this here too as you might see it. I had posted this comment on an old video of yours from 7 years ago just now. "Just for your info there are pencil like cleaning tools with a fibreglass insert made for cleaning circuit board contacts (whether you see this that is). Mine is a LENLINE 70-450. Any store that sells electronic components should have them or another brand. You can twist the fibreglass insert in and out like a mechanical pencil. They work very well and you can buy extra inserts, although i have used mine for a long time and haven't replaced it yet. Just be careful you don't get one of the bristles in a finger---- it happened to a co-worker who warned me---- not very nice to happen and hard to get out, i guess."

[@EXOVCDS]

Thanks for the tip! Send me your mailing address and I'll send you some of my channel stickers. Click the fkh161 link in the description and then click on tool request to send me the info.

[@crimpcreep6887]

On my mk3, you can replace the oil pressure 1.8 bar I believe to a turbo .09 to alleviate buzzer, as long as oil pressure is ok. Buzzer only problem. 2.0 liter. My engine has regular set up, I notice with 5w30 oil, alone, buzzer at above 2k will go off. But with a Baffle, and 1 quart Lucas oil stabilizer, no problems. Thanks Thomas!

[@EXOVCDS]

Yes, various ways of keeping the buzzer in check! =)

[@nemanjadzombic6101]

As always, lot of great stuff that one would not expect by reading the title. You are the only one, that I watch anuway, who gives more in your videos than the title would suggest. It's usually opposite. Greetings

[@EXOVCDS]

Thank you and thank you for watching!

[@Johnooot]

Great to see another T3 / Vanagon video! Thanks! If you get a chance to add videos on early 80's air-cooled Vanagon issues, those would be super interesting also!

[@EXOVCDS]

We no longer work on old aircooled engines / vans. =( I started my apprenticeship in the aircooled era / towards the end. Overhauling those engines was fun... but parts availability & reliability now a days causes too many issues. =(

[@Johnooot]

@@EXOVCDS Well of course there are many, many instances where your videos are perfectly applicable to air-cooled so we continue to learn from those!! And thank you for that!!! It is much appreciated. It's sad though that support from shops on air-cooled is getting difficult. My 82 air-cooled has 260,000 miles on it (418,000 km) of which 76,000 miles (122,000 km) I've put on it. So far I've been able to source what was needed (and that's been a lot .. LOL) . And I do understand the commercial aspects. Cheers!

[@Kurdy1318]

Couldn't find out why my oil light would blink just once and go out. Thanks so much.

[@EXOVCDS]

Thank you for watching!

[@SteveRobReviews]

That's high tech for back in the day. Today I'm not sure vehicles make any noises for warning lights anymore.

[@EXOVCDS]

That would not be politically correct these days... to disturb someone while driving! LOL

[@ShadowVonChadwick]

Thanks, needed to find the specs to make shore I had the right High Pressure SW. Cheers :-)

[@EXOVCDS]

Thank you for watching!

[@crimpcreep6887]

Thomas, do you have Fall Festivals, German style in October there in Canada? I grew up in Southern Indiana, we did, lots of German Farmers.

[@EXOVCDS]

Not so much in the city. =(

[@J.F.K.O]

great video i have to start working on my 85 single cab diesel soon. got a bunch of good tips to chase down the electrical issues i have on it. thing like oil light never shutting completely off and temp gauge not working it has the entire Christmas tree lit up now after i forgot the transmission ground strap at the first startup with the new engine. the oil light though was a problem before that. and i think i might have wired the coolant connector up the wrong way after i switched to mk3 engine and sensors.

[@EXOVCDS]

Make sure to also check the main harness plug at the back of the instrument cluster... the printed circuit board tracks at the connector end can get corroded, causing weird electrical issues. Thank you for watching!

[@J.F.K.O]

@@EXOVCDS yeah i already checked that interestingly every time i have had it apart something new either starts working or stops working :P a shame those hard circuit board replacements are rather expensive

[@mostlymoparih5682]

You're a good man Charlie Brown. Nice.

[@juholyytikainen]

Thanks! I didn't know that I have 2 switches in my car, and of course I just changed the wrong one. What I'd like to know, that are those 2 switches identical?

[@EXOVCDS]

No. Different pressure ratings and they function differently.

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Interesting system! I'd actually like a buzzer or ding ding to tell me if a warning light comes on lol sometimes on a sunny day, cruising at high speed on the motorway, the last place I'm looking at is the gauges 😳😂

[@EXOVCDS]

Exactly why this is a great system... but I know you look every now & then! =)

[@stuzman52]

Very good explanation of how the oil warning system works. On that pc board there appears to be a chip on it. Could you make out a number on it? It may be an op-amp maybe used as a comparator for the low oil pressure switch. I see that you must have cut your middle finger on your right hand. Be careful! 😀👍

[@EXOVCDS]

Fellow viewer / subscriber Mac Delaney had the same thoughts on the board. Input from you guys is greatly appreciated! I'm a chronic nail-biter... had a rough week last week. Work related injuries hurt less than what I do to myself via biting. =(

[@stuzman52]

@@EXOVCDS I'm sure that this week coming up is going to be a great one for you. So, no need to worry about a thing. :))

[@nimanaba1]

Awesome video and explanation. What do you make of a steady oil light? I have a printed circuit board in the cluster from Gowesty (nicked the blue ribbon a while ago). For three years everything worked fine, flashing oil light at on, turned off at start. Now I am getting a steady (not flashing) oil light at on WITH buzzer. Buzzer and light turn off at start, but come back on when engine is fully warm. When engine is warm, light AND buzzer is on between idle (900rpm) and ~1300rpm. Light and buzzer turn off with just a bit of throttle? Might be totally unrelated, but this issue arose when I quickly turned the ignition from on, off then on when parked in my driveway yesterday. Van feels like it's running fine, no problem. No idea when (if) the high/low switches were every replaced. Thanks so much for your videos. I'm pretty sure I've seen every T3 video you have!!!!

[@hectorzapata4295]

I don't know if you've mentioned this previously, but the oil filter for the T3 is different than the ones for the Golf/Jetta of the same era, and that there are no cheap filters for this application. I believe the valve is very different and they make for noisy lifters. Stick to the Mann/Mahle filters, they are the correct ones.

[@EXOVCDS]

Good advice!

[@V10PDTDI]

Hi Thomas did you know (I assume that you know )that the lifters on T3 Vanagon has adjustment I did not know it until not long ago. I knew they were hydraulic but did not know you had to adjust the rocker to a basic setting compared this to VW inline engine since approximate 1985 or 1986 they required no adjustment I did one not long ago on a customer's van we had the heads off and replaced all 8 lifters and adjusted all valves cold but at first is was ok but a year later there was still a noise with the cold engine so I check the valve clearance again and found one that was too loose and now the engine is super quiet we also put special cap on the end of the valves to prevent the end of the valve to wear too fast they are form a company in the US that specialize in the T3 vans. the company name is Go westy here is the part number of the caps they have for sale LASH-CAP-KIT they really have some great products

[@EXOVCDS]

Hi Christian, yes... the book says 2 turns, but I set them to 1 & 1/2 turns. The adjustment can get too tight over time (as the valve seat wears) and that can cause valves to not close fully. 1 & 1/2 turns allows for a longer duration between adjustment. =) I / we also use the caps on the valve stem... but only on vehicles where the stem is worn. I grind the tip of the adjusting screws so that they have a bit of a curve which allows for a better wiping action across the valve stem head surface.

[@CarsExposed]

Great explanation Buddy 👍👍👍. You should’ve run the video for another 3 min 10:18... 😉😃👍

[@whatnextsunshine3046]

Dear Thomas, last year around this time we both hung out... and you kow way more than me XD lol. Love to watch you work ;-)) didnt get the oil part, but hey! Cheers, Sunshine

[@EXOVCDS]

That all sounded naughty! See you in 3 years (my next trip to Germany)!

[@whatnextsunshine3046]

@@EXOVCDSOh dear, that wasnt meant to be at all at all XD... I reallly meant how you explain the part about why oil is thin and so forth... Im was never good for sciences... yes, 3 years!! :-D

[@EXOVCDS]

I'm just having some fun. =)

[@Badgertronix]

Is there anything you don't know about these vehicles? Thanks for sharing buddy 👍

[@EXOVCDS]

Sadly, there's too much. =(

[@mostlymoparih5682]

@@EXOVCDS He is the champion, my friends And he'll keep on fighting 'til the end He is the champion He is the champion No time for losers 'Cause he is the champion OF THE WORLD. Que the music now. Oh and Mr Badger sea above comment for more musical melodies.

[@djambrosia]

The dreaded buzzer of doom lol

[@djambrosia]

Seeing as you seem to love t25's i've just had my new wbx powered bug dyno'd. Video is on my channel if you're interested. The conrods stayed inside the engine, which is always nice.

[@EXOVCDS]

Nice looking Bug & specs!

[@billrimmer5596]

Great info on those types of vehicles!!

[@EXOVCDS]

Thanks Bill!

[@CoolAirVw]

there must be a ton of vanagons and Eurovans where your at.

[@EXOVCDS]

There are... but getting fewer each year! =(

[@CoolAirVw]

@@EXOVCDS We get a few here, but you seem to be the master.

[@EXOVCDS]

@@CoolAirVw "Seem to be" is a good way of putting it.

[@txsviking]

Wow, a very complex oil gauge avoidance system :-)

[@EXOVCDS]

Das ist not gut? LOL

[@type2523]

2:39 keep it you may find a electrician that can fix it ! Is there any parts number stamped on ???( may be able to find one or some )

[@EXOVCDS]

I still have it... will be looking it over in detail sometime soon.

[@atubebuff]

@@EXOVCDS I'll send you an email.

[@EXOVCDS]

Just got it. =)

[@type2523]

Thomas EXOVCDS the number or the part ?

[@EXOVCDS]

I still have the part... I'll look it over this week to see if there is a part number and if I can find any reason for failure. I'll send you the part number once I have it.

[@obedgomezdiaz7656]

Good explanation

[@EXOVCDS]

Thank you for watching!

[@obedgomezdiaz7656]

Where are the ground for circuit ? I’m having the buzzer and light coming up when rmp 2000 plus and stays already change a sensor but still on

[@EXOVCDS]

Disconnect the yellow wire at the 2 wire oil pressure switch plug in the engine bay. Attach the yellow wire to a clean engine ground... drive the vehicle. Does the light & buzzer still come on at 2000 rpm?

[@gordyelich9044]

great informative video. thanks.

[@EXOVCDS]

Thank you for watching!

[@BruceLyeg]

My Hyundai has an oil warning system too. First the oil light comes on, then seconds later the temp light come on and then it skids to a halt as everything seizes up.

[@EXOVCDS]

Best one there is! Safety.... won't let you drive with insufficient oil pressure! =)

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

too many bells whistles or should I say buzzers. Thanks for explaining..

[@EXOVCDS]

Perfect combination though (a buzzer with a warning light)! =)

[@patkelly7999]

Interesting, Thank you Thomas:)

[@EXOVCDS]

Aside from the circuit board, it's a simple & effective design.

[@wyattoneable]

Great explanation buddy.

[@EXOVCDS]

Thanks Wyatt!

[@KStewart-th4sk]

For anyone here that has the Grey Robert Bentley service manual for Gas, Diesel, and Turbo Diesel 1985-1992, those twits have the location of those 2 switches ass backwards. THE MANUAL IS WRONG! The higher pressure switch (yellow wire) is on the oil filter housing and the low pressure warning switch is on end of the head (blue wire, black stripe). Given that i had paid something like $90 for it back in 1991 when i bought a '91 Jetta TD new, i am rather Pissed. Am having a problem (intermittent also) with my 1986 TD and just discovered this. My '91 had gotten totaled by some a-hole running a Red, would have had the board from it, but another a-hole stole the whole car off a property where i kept it. I did have the engine out of it which i kept before the car was stolen. The location of the switches in the '91 are exactly the same as the '86 with the location of higher and lower ones the same.

[@EXOVCDS]

Yeah, VW kept oil pressure switch location the same for all the different engines / models.

[@KStewart-th4sk]

@@EXOVCDS Yes, this is how they have it worded in the manual. It says "The low pressure switches are located on the oil filter flange (0.3 bar) and on the end of the cylinder head (1.4 bar or 1.8 bar). On 16 valve engines, both switches are located on the filter flange." Wrong, crappy wording, or both!! HOWEVER, there is a pictorial showing the High Pressure switch being in the filter housing for both gas and diesel. Apparently on gas models there is a oil temperature sender to the right of the switch-- on diesels there is just the switch. It says in the pictorial description 16 valve are similar--- whatever that is supposed to mean. My manual is for the GTI, Golf, Jetta 1985-1992 gas, diesel, turbo diesel. Thanks for replying.

[@EXOVCDS]

@@KStewart-th4sk That's why it's always good to have a wiring diagram to compare things.. it won't say the location, but it will list wire color. A lot of people don't even check the pressure rating of a switch. They just install something that looks similar. =(

[@jacintyre]

I’ve got a 1990 wbx 2.1. The light is coming on solid and gets brighter when rev’d. Flickers and fades on slightly at idle. No flashing or buzzer though? It’s only just started doing this - engine was rebuilt 3 years ago. Any thoughts?

[@EXOVCDS]

Probably an issue with the oil pressure logic / circuit board in the instrument cluster. Verify correct oil pressure switch function in the engine bay using a test light. Tell me the results. Like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqDQnZugbtejn5o

[@jacintyre]

@@EXOVCDS thanks so much for the quick response man. Just did the test and came back correct - yellow (light on with engine on) / blue (light on with engine off)

[@EXOVCDS]

@jacintyre The problem is most like in the instrument cluster then. The oil pressure circuit / logic board.

[@jacintyre]

@@EXOVCDS awesome, thanks! The blue pcb looked ok but I’ll check the board. What would I be looking for to indicate it’s damaged? I also still haven’t run a pressure test - but am I right to assume that it doesn’t make sense for the light to come on when I rev it cause that should increase the pressure if anything?

[@jacintyre]

@@EXOVCDSit does the same with the sensors disconnected if that indicates anything else

[@scuba422123]

I think I have a bad water pump on a 1.8 vw pasat not looking to much forward to doing it

[@EXOVCDS]

What year? Timing belt driven or V-Belt driven (early style)? What makes you think you need a water pump?

[@scuba422123]

oh.! its a 2003 1.8 turbo..vw pasat no flow out of the radiator, no heat, no flow back to the coolant bottle the car will just go right to hot in 15 minutes from a cold start I was thinking thermostat but no flow in the coolant bottle. wow advice from the master! thanks Thomas !

[@EXOVCDS]

Most likely bad water pump if you have no heat inside the car (but a the heater core could be plugged). Watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6OvgpWJo8eCfJY

[@biryaniofbodyhair]

brilliant info thanks you so much! no light comes on in my van either oil or temp, gonna try this now to see can I get the buzzer going, thanks again

[@EXOVCDS]

Thank you for watching... let me know what happens.

[@biryaniofbodyhair]

@@EXOVCDS thanks man, I used this to track the problem down to behind the dash, was the 14 pin connector that was a bit mossy and loose. After that I just kept going and wound up tidying up all the wiring, removing a couple of connectors that were not removed when the engine was changed by the previous owner and changing some that had breaks in the wires where he had bound them together using feckin silicone gasket maker! ... So thanks a million man, gave me the confidence to go at it all!

[@EXOVCDS]

@@biryaniofbodyhair Good job!

[@abudabidibibudi]

broo the same logic bord is on a VW mk 2 :) trye to kombinate i think it will work :)

[@EXOVCDS]

Yes, same / similar board on those.

[@abudabidibibudi]

@@EXOVCDS im not 100% sore but i know i see it i have 4x vw mk 2 if it was a god post in my contry i wod send you for free but in my contry ist ales kaput... :(

[@billbyrne7891]

Great info

[@EXOVCDS]

Thank you for watching!

[@Deafjustin]

Good job dude

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Dun dun dun da da dun dun dun dun dun da da dun dun Mmm num ba de Dum bum ba be Doo buh dum ba beh beh Pressure pushing down on me Pressing down on you, no man ask for Under pressure that burns a building down Splits a family in two Puts people on streets

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Since you can't play music you can at least sing it in your head Well until big brother starts reading our minds.

[@EXOVCDS]

LOL... I will hire you (sorry, no pay) to supply music score / beat / reference for all my future videos! =)

[@mostlymoparih5682]

@@EXOVCDS I love it. You got it. You're as much a clown as I am.

[@industrialrepairer4028]

Why not just put in a modern oil pressure gauge that actually gives you a reading in psi and do away with the old outdated system.

[@EXOVCDS]

Most people ignore temperature needles... I doubt that they would get into the habit of also having to look at an oil pressure gauge. There's nothing better for grabbing one's attention, than a red light & annoying buzzer. Even if these boards were no longer available (new or used)... I'd suggest spending the time to at least make sure that the oil light blinks when pressure got too low (simple bypass of the logic board).