VW Polo 1.9 SDI oil light flashing and rev counter not working.

**GTirl** · 28-10-2014,05:19 PM

Hi all,

I have a 1998 VW Polo 1.9 sdi diesel and I unable to fix the problem with it.
The red oil light is continuously flashing once I start up the car and the rev counter does not work at all.
Now when I switch on the key in the ignition the oil light comes on fully (not flashing) and then flashes when its started up.
I have checked all possible fuses and wiring which seem perfect.
I would be very grateful if anyone could help assist me in solving this problem.
Thanks

**Doctle Odd** · 28-10-2014,05:34 PM

Don't start it again until you get the oil pressure checked. The rev counter works off the alternator so check that too. If you run it with low oil pressure you'll wreck the engine

**GTirl** · 28-10-2014,05:37 PM

Oil pressure is fine. checked all that aswell as alternator too.

**Doctle Odd** · 28-10-2014,05:40 PM

Has to be the oil pressure switch then. Cost less than a tenner. check the wiring on the alternator and loom for breaks

**GTirl** · 28-10-2014,05:43 PM

Changed the oil pressure switch and checked all the wiring. Thats why i'm confused. (whats the reason for always writing about the half inch of water and drowning!)

**Sam** · 28-10-2014,05:57 PM

It's an electrical connection issue as Doc hinted towards in his first reply.

Does the oil light stop flashing when you rev the engine?

Alternator is the obvious one - check the wiring (both ends) for any breaks. There's a few big fuses in the engine bay too, check those.

**GTirl** · 28-10-2014,07:33 PM

No, oil light stays flashing from once engine is started no matter if it is reved, makes no difference at all to it

**Doctle Odd** · 28-10-2014,08:49 PM

What did you check the oil pressure with? The light flashing suggests that either the switch is gone or there is a blockage in the oil system.

"Half an inch of water" is a line from a John Prine song, kinda means don't panic. It's a signature

**Sam** · 29-10-2014,09:55 AM

Originally Posted by GTirl

No, oil light stays flashing from once engine is started no matter if it is reved, makes no difference at all to it

I still say it's an electrical issue but I'm not a mechanic.

At the foot of this page you'll see a section called "related posts" (or something similar) - have a read of them and see what you think.

If it were my money/time I'd be checking the wiring to/from the alternator.