Oil Switch

[lobsterguy]

[lobsterguy]

So I’m a little late getting back to this as I just got back from school. The advice about using a tap on the low pressure switch (lower on the engine block) seemed to work. I now have the new low pressure switch in. My trouble now comes with the replacement for the high pressure switch (around the pulleys). The old one came out pretty easily with a 24mm socket, but is much larger than the 10Mx1.0 sensor I got to replace it. The old sensor also has an additional nut on it. Since my oil warning lights always came at high rpm, which I think means it was a problem with the low pressure sensor, I was thinking of possibly just putting the old high pressure sensor back in. This wasn’t my plan originally, and I wanted to replace both sensors for peace of mind, but I’m wondering if it’s worth the hassle to find a replacement part for the high pressure switch that is the same size as the old one. Thanks

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2.1L 1987 Manual Westy

[Wildthings]

[jlrftype7]

https://www.amazon.com/Century-Drill-Tool-Rethread...4&th=1


Re-threading tap above ^^^^. Hex drive on the end, so you can use a socket to get it into your threads versus worrying about a tap wrench or a square drive socket that fits the end of a regular tap.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[Altoona]

[dabaron]

[DanHoug]

[ZsZ]

Read this:

https://brickwerks.co.uk/blog/vw-t3-oil-pressure-switches/
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Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

[Wildthings]

Looks like you might have an insert in the hole that might be messed up. Both switches were 10mm tapered pipe thread originally.

[lobsterguy]

[Altoona]

[lobsterguy]

Yes. The threads are the same gauge as well. This was my original thinking, so I tried to put the old OP back in the same hole it just came out of, but it didn’t want to fit either
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2.1L 1987 Manual Westy

[dabaron]

compare the old to the new. are they the same size tapered thread?
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1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic

[lobsterguy]

I couldn’t find anything similar to my current problem so I figured I’d bring back this thread for the time being. I am having similar oil light troubles (on my 2.1) so I figured I should start with replacing the sensors. I managed to get the old low OP switch off after some nudging around (bolt hex size was something truly wonky). Now, when I have tried to install the gowesty replacement, the new OP switch does not want to screw back in. I’ve cleaned the threads of each (although maybe not thoroughly enough) so I’m thinking I might have damaged the female side threads. I attached a photo to this reply. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks
Jasper

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2.1L 1987 Manual Westy

[AtlasShrugged]

Testing the OP switches is very easy with a test lamp and the engine running and then off. Watch out for the pulleys and belts! Make sure the connection at the plug in the engine compartment is clean too. Even some new OP switches are of poor quality. Find the German ones (NAPA) rather than the China made parts.

If the warning lamp/buzzer comes on intermittently..and is not repeatable...it may be your high OP switch or the wiring back at the engine.

You can check your oil pressure to be sure.

With a worn engine..the low oil pressure problem will be repeatable.

Makes sense to replace the pressure relief spring too. They are getting tired after all these years too. Part number 021.115.421B. Cost is about $5

You can replace the high OP switch that lives beside the crank pulley at the rear of the engine by removing the belts and using a "plummers sleeve socket wrench" from Home Depot if you don't have a regular deep socket, to remove and install a new switch.
Do the pressure relief spring too..you will find the old one is 2-3mm too short and relaxed after over twenty years of operation.

[charlie1volksnut]

I found this thread very helpful. Thanks, to all who contributed. This is part of what makes The Samba so fantastic.

Randywebb, great information!

[Wildthings]

[Zero419]

I stay away from 20W50 with my stock rebuild as per tencent.
But I always used it in my worn motor.

I use 10-40 now.
The lifters quit much quicker with 10-40

From what I have read, in more cases then not, its your motor, not your oil pressure warning system.

Get a gauge on that sucker and go from there.
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1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec

[GMByers]

[quote="Mconant"]The oil pressure light comes on randomly when i drive, even though I just put in new oil

Since you just put in new oil, did you put in 20W50?

Gary
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And then there were two...downsized to 83 Doka &
74 Thing.

[mike boland]