4.7 Oil Pressure

OIL PRESSURE                                                                                                                         4.7

OPERATION                                                                  PART NUMBER                       TOOL NAME
                                                                          HD-52962                 OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT
See Figure 4-11. T he red OIL PRESSURE indicator lamp                                              WRENCH
illuminates to indicate improper pressure of the engine oil. The          HD-52963                 OIL PRESSURE TESTER ADAPTER
lamp illuminates when the ignition is initially turned on (before
the engine is started), but should extinguish once the engine             1.   Verify that engine oil is at the proper level. See REPLACE
is running.                                                                    ENG INE OIL AND FILTER (Page 2-7).

                              NOTICE                                      2.   R emove oil pressure switch from crankcase. See OIL
If the oil pressure indicator lamp remains lit, always check                   PRESSURE SWITCH (Page 8-26).
the oil supply first. If the oil supply is normal and the lamp                 Special Tool: OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT WRENCH
is still lit, stop the engine at once and do not ride further                  (HD-52962)
until the trouble is located and the necessary repairs are
made. Failure to do so may result in engine damage.                       3.   Install test kit.
(00157a)                                                                       Special Tool: OIL PRESSURE G AUGE (HD-45308)
                                                                               Special Tool: OIL PRESSURE TESTER ADAPTER
If the indicator lamp does not extinguish, it may be caused by                 (HD-52963)
low oil level or diluted oil supply. In freezing weather, the oil              Special Tool: OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT WRENCH
feed and return lines can clog with ice or sludge. Other                       (HD-52962)
conditions that may cause the lamp to remain lit are:
                                                                               a.    Install swivel adapter in oil pressure switch mounting
• Faulty lamp wiring.                                                                hole and snug with wrench.
• Faulty oil pressure sending unit.
                                                                               b.     Install straight adapter into swivel adapter. Hold
• Damaged oil pump.                                                                   swivel adapter with wrench and tighten straight
• Plugged oil filter element.                                                         adapter.

• Incorrect oil viscosity for the operating temperature.                       c.     Install oil pressure gauge on straight adapter. Hold
• Fractured or weak spring in the oil pressure relief valve.                          straight adapter with wrench, tighten oil pressure
                                                                                      gauge fitting.
• Incorrectly installed o-rings in the engine.
                                                                          4.   R un motorcycle until engine oil reaches specification.
To troubleshoot the problem, always check the engine oil level
first. If the oil level is OK, determine if oil returns to the oil pan.        Temperature: 230 °F (110 °C)
If oil does not return, shut off the engine until the problem is
located and corrected.                                                    5.   Check oil pressure.

                                                                               a.     Operate engine at 1500 and 4000 rpm.

                                                                               b.     R ecord results.

                                                                               c.    Stop engine.

                                                                          6.   Verify that oil pressure is within specifications. R efer to
                                                                               Table 4-19.

                                                                          7.   R emove oil pressure gauge assembly.

                                                                          8.   Install oil pressure switch. See OIL PRESSURE SWITCH
                                                                               (Page 8-26).

                                                                                               Table 4-19. Oil Pressure
          Figure 4-11. Oil Pressure Indicator Lamp
                                                                                                             SPECIFICATION
OIL PRESSURE CHECK                                                                  CHECK
                                                                                                           SAE          METRIC
                                                                          Oil pressure - 1500 rpm        15-20 psi    103-138 kPa
 PART NUMBER                      TOOL NAME                               Oil pressure - at 4000         38-45 psi    262-310 kPa
HD-45308                OIL PRESSURE GAUGE                                rpm
                                                                          * With oil at normal operating temperature of 219-241 °F
                                                                          (104-116 °C)

94000784                                                                                                                              4-11