Oil Pressure Switch

I took a little spin down to the South of France week before last, remember that week? Pis*ed down all the way there and pis*ed down harder all the way back. Anyway 1711 mile around trip in five days and the '04 was great, smooth 80 mph on the N roads and fun on the twistys, who needs a big twin?
Only problem was the oil warning light flickered and then died half way through.
When I got back thought I'd ring the dealer I brought it from in Bristol, as the bike was all of 3 days out of warranty when the light died. No luck although they offered to try a 'good will' repair but wanted £75 for something called the paperwork chase!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As the switch was only £12, a no brainer.
With new switch attached to plug, I earth it against an engine bolt and check the light works. So far so good. Change over the switches, which turns out to be a complete basta*rd if you don't want to take the oil filter off and start the engine.
Light goes out when engine turns but then doesn't come back on when I stop the engine.
Just to add to it, I try orginal switch after WD40 and a few good taps and that now works when earthed on the engine.
So,....you guessed it.
One basta*d job later and the old switch does exactly the same thing, works on start up but does come back on after the first time.
Anybody got any ideas what it could be?
Thanks
RichC

[Bluey]

It will take a while for the presure to drop, I have done the same only the other week. If it's not coming on at all the it could be a faulty switch!

[Tones]

Originally Posted by blueskull

It will take a while for the presure to drop, I have done the same only the other week. If it's not coming on at all the it could be a faulty switch!

correct - the official HD manual states:-
If the ignition is turned back on immediately after the engine is stopped, the oil pressure indicator lamo may not turn on right away because of the pressure retained in the filter housing.

It also says that as the pump is non regulatory the higher the engine revs the higher the pressure. As you were running at high revs for quite a while you would have high pressure.

The manual also states that at engine speeds, well below 1000rpm, the light will either ficker or come on.

Try slowing tickover down, go for a run, let the bike tickover and when the pressure drops in the engine, the indicator light should flicker or come on.

This is exactly the same thing I had on my 2003 model,
Light came on and faded out, I got the first switch changed under warrenty , Then the light stuck on and like you was quoted silly money to change it due to out of warrenty.
What did not help was the dealer said I have had a few of these go wrong, building my confidence in the replacement product ?
I got a new switch but noticed that it was shorter than the original ,
P/N 26554-77B going by the 77B they may have changed to an old part ?
Fit the switch , ( mole grips and alot of swearing did the job ,) also the main point was the lead had opened up on the end when I removed it which caused the light to dim? ( this looks familiar ) copper slip on the pin crimped the lead end, fit it back on works perfect for now.
The light does remain off for a short while after running the engine.

Not good when you can not trust a warning light ?

[kiwidave]

I know what you mean. But the other warning device is your ears. You will hear the lifters start to clatter........pull over !!!!!

[S.T.Chapman]

Originally Posted by kiwidave

I know what you mean. But the other warning device is your ears. You will hear the lifters start to clatter........pull over !!!!!

Its ok to say you dont trust the switch but, at no point have you said you tested the pressure with a reliable gauge.
at the end of the day the switch was fitted at manufacture for a reason, as a low pressure warning
they may fail, they may be a piece of crap but what happens when the oil pressure does fail?
do you carry on, curse the switch manufacturer, vow to bend the parts guy's ear or do you you check it out?
If you are certain the oil pressure is sound then fine just swap the switch and carry on, however if the pump is faulty then what?
personally the way I see it is this, the switch can fail its true, it can fail to fault and illuminate the red lamp or the otherway and do nothing, and who's to say your lamp hasnt just died?
there is no substitute for a fitted gauge and your own ears. As Dave says.
Use your sense's but above all else use your common sense.
if it happens dont just blame the switch, pull over and check it out, you could have lost oil for the last ten miles.

Thanks for all the replys.
I left the bike over night and when I went back to it the next day the light was working when I switch the ignition on.
When I started the engine and the light went out.
After about 2 minutes I turn off the ignition and wait for the light to come back on, it takes 2 1/2 minutes to come back on.
Whilst I was waiting for the light to come back on I opened the oil tank filler to see if that dropped the pressure but it didn't do anything.
I don't remember the old one taking so long to relight but I might actually get to take it out for a long run today so I'll see if hot thinner oil will drop its pressure quicker.

RichC

Yep, that worked! After a long run this arvo, got back and the light came on seconds after the engine stopped.

Something really strange out there, the roads themselves aren't wet and slimey.....and there was this round orangey yellow thing that kepted coming out from behind the clouds and following me

Thanks for the advise

RichC