Oil idiot light pressure

[Rutjes]

Hey guys,

Does anyone know at what pressure the idiot light goes on?

I'm preparing to add gauges to my friends M1008 including an oil pressure gauge. After a bit of Googling, I found that most use a T to keep the idiot light switch and add a sender, but VDO offers senders that also send a warning signal at around 5.8, 7.2, 11.6 or 20 PSI. I'd like to use one of those. I'm not sure which one to get. I'm thinking, the earlier it goes on the better, but I don't want false positives. Am I right in thinking that 20 PSI is too close to pressure after the engine is warmed up and 11.6 would be the best choice?

 

[Guyfang]

Have you downloaded the TM's? In the front of the operators TM, (-10) should be all sorts of tech info like that.

 

[linemech31]

I dont know exactly as i haven't read the t.m. My pressure switch light goes out at 15psi. Confirmed with a mechanical gauge. If i was cruising down the road and that light came on it would probably be too late.

 

[Guyfang]

Whats the TM number? I will look it up.

 

[linemech31]

National stock number is NSN-5930-00-073-0930 for the switch. That's all i have on it. Im sure you could dig deeper. These things need an actual oil pressure indicator not just a light. Imo

 

[Rutjes]

Found the part number in the TMs; 3815936. RockAuto comes up ACDELCO G1807 as a replacement. Says "Pressure limit closed 6 PSI" and "Pressure limit open 2 PSI". It lights up the idiot light at 6 and shuts it off when it drops below 2?

My K1500 shows pressure with a warmed up engine at idle at about 20 PSI. I think the one with the 11.6 PSI warning (+/- 2.17) is the best choice. In case anyone else is interested the VDO part number is 360-081-039-002C.

These things need an actual oil pressure indicator not just a light. Imo

I agree. I mostly use it to judge if the engine has warmed up though. I tow heavy, really heavy for these engines. I wait for my coolant to reach operating temp, the oil pressure to stabilize at 20 PSI and the warning light on my VDO transmission temp gauge to go off (switches off when it reaches or drops too 122 F) before I start towing.

 

[Guyfang]

Tech data for that switch.

	THREAD LENGTH	0 1/8 INCHES NOMINAL SINGLE PRESSURE CONNECTION
	OVERALL LENGTH	2 13/20 INCHES NOMINAL
	OVERALL WIDTH	1 3/50 INCHES NOMINAL
	PRESSURE SWITCH TYPE	GAGE
	MOUNTING METHOD	INLET CONNECTION
	THREAD QUANTITY PER INCH	27 SINGLE PRESSURE CONNECTION
	CONTACT ACTION STIMULUS	INCREASE
	NOMINAL THREAD SIZE	0 1/8 INCHES SINGLE PRESSURE CONNECTION
	NONPILE-UP CONTACT ARRANGEMENT	1 POLE, SINGLE THROW, NORMALLY CLOSED, MOMENTARY ACTION
	TERMINAL TYPE	SNAP-ON, MALE
	CONTACT ADJUSTABILITY	ACTUATION POINT ADJUSTABLE, PRESET
	CONTACT ADJUSTMENT RANGE	+2.00/+6.00 ACTUATION POINT POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH
	CONTACT VOLTAGE RATING IN VOLTS	12 DC AT SEA LEVEL SINGLE VOLTAGE
	PRESSURE CONNECTOR TYPE	PLAIN, THREADED EXTERNAL SINGLE CONNECTION
	THREAD SERIES DESIGNATOR	UNF SINGLE PRESSURE CONNECTION