FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Oil Pressure Sender: Testing and Inspection






Oil Pressure and Switch, Checking

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Oil Pressure Gauge (V.A.G 1342)

Voltage Tester (V.A.G 1527 B)

Connector Test Set (V.A.G 1594 C)

Socket 24 mm and Jointed Extension (T40175)

Torque Wrench (5-50 Nm) (V.A.G 1331)

Vehicle Diagnosis Tester

Test Conditions:

Engine oil level is OK, checking, refer to => [ Oil Level, Checking ] Testing and Inspection.

Engine oil temperature is at least 80 °C (176 °F) (coolant fan must start up once).

For the functional check and servicing of the optical and acoustic oil pressure warning. Refer to and "Function and Component Selection" in the vehicle diagnostic tester.

Test Sequence:

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Oil Filter, Oil Cooler and Oil Pressure Switch Overview ] Service and Repair.

- Disconnect the connector from the oil pressure switch (F1).

- Remove the oil pressure switch - 2 - using the socket 24 mm and jointed extension (T40175) and install it in the oil pressure gauge (V.A.G 1342).






- Install the oil pressure gauge (V.A.G 1342) in place of the oil pressure switch into the bracket.

- Connect the brown wire - 1 - from the oil pressure gauge to ground.

- Connect the voltage tester (V.A.G 1527 B) to the battery positive (+) terminal and to the oil pressure switch. Use adapter cables from the connector test kit (V.A.G 1594 C).

The Light Emitting Diode (LED) must not light up.

If the LED lights up:

- Replace the oil pressure switch.

If the LED does not light up:

- Start the engine and slowly increase engine speed:

LED must light up at 1.2 to 1.6 bar positive pressure, otherwise replace the oil pressure switch.

- Increase the engine speed (RPM) further:

At 2000 RPM and an oil temperature of 80 °C (176 °F), the oil pressure should be between 2.7 bar and 4.5 bar.

At higher engine speeds the oil pressure must not exceed 7.0 bar

If the specification is not obtained:

- Make sure the screen inside the oil intake pipe => [ (Item 22) Oil Intake Pipe ] Oil Pan and Pump Overview is not dirty.

Check for mechanical damage, for example, bearing failures that can cause low oil pressure.

If no malfunction can be found:

- Replace the oil pump. Refer to => [ Oil Pump ] Oil Pump.

If the specification is exceeded:

- Check the oil passages.