While driving to fetch some takeout tonight, my oil light stayed on. I was very concerned as this can not be a good thing. However, my guage showed PLENTY of pressure and the engine was running very smoothly. After driving about a mile, I stopped the car and checked the oil, got my dinner, checked the oil again as it had had time to settle back into the pan, and started her up... no oil light after start-up.

In case this helps, this is a rebuilt 2.8 with less than 6k miles on it (car has 143k) running Mobil 1. Everything and I mean everything internal is new and (knock on wood) the engine has never given me the slightest concern before now. Help me Mr. Wizard!!

it sounds like an indication problem

At the "diner" did you check the oil on the Fiero, or the bag-o-fries.

Hmmmm... I've never had, nor heard of a problem like this before. So the following is mostly speculation...

Think the oil pressure idiot light and oil pressure gage operate off the same input signal (same sending unit and wiring).

If I had the same problem, I'd take the gage off, and inspect the PC board (I think) it's mounted to. Look for broken conductor traces, or something shorting to ground.

Looked at the wiring diagrams, and didn't (yet) find anything that shows how the oil idiot light works. Think there might be a comparator in there, but don't know. I'll keep searching, and keep you posted.

[This message has been edited by StuGood (edited 06-27-2000).]

StuGood is right about the gauge and idiot light running from the same sender. Checking my flaky oil pressure gauge I took my aux gauge pod out of the car, grounding the sender wire brings the reading to zero and the light comes on. The problem must be in the gauge electronics.
Terry

[This message has been edited by 286SE'S (edited 06-27-2000).]