1988 Katana with oil light on

Message

darkstarsi · Mon May 28, 2007 7:05 am

I just bought bike and did regular maintenance on it (oil change, filter etc.)
when i turn key oil light turns on and the bike wont start.
is it a relay holding the starter out?
any help

#2 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon May 28, 2007 2:10 pm

Are you sure you put enough oil in?

Actually, are you sure the battery is properly connected?

#3 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon May 28, 2007 3:03 pm

The low oil pressure light is supposed to be on - there's no oil pressure if the engine isn't turning.

What happens when you hit the starter? Inferring from asking about the relay, its not starting at all. Make sure your battery is charged and tell us if the engine turns over at all.

BuzZz · #4 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:26 pm

Oil ???pressure??? light?

More likely it's a level indicator light, and it's indicating too little oil. First thing to do is check the level is correct as Sev said. I've never seen an oil light hold out the starter on a motorcycle, so I would be looking at your battery and connections as he mentioned, too. In fact, most bikes must be run first in order to correctly check the oil level.

#5 Unread post by **Sev** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:30 pm

BuzZz wrote:Oil ???pressure??? light?

More likely it's a level indicator light, and it's indicating too little oil. First thing to do is check the level is correct as Sev said. I've never seen an oil light hold out the starter on a motorcycle, so I would be looking at your battery and connections as he mentioned, too. In fact, most bikes must be run first in order to correctly check the oil level.

I'm pretty sure they indicate oil pressure, not level.

#6 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon May 28, 2007 4:40 pm

BuzZz wrote:Oil ???pressure??? light?

More likely it's a level indicator light, and it's indicating too little oil. First thing to do is check the level is correct as Sev said. I've never seen an oil light hold out the starter on a motorcycle, so I would be looking at your battery and connections as he mentioned, too. In fact, most bikes must be run first in order to correctly check the oil level.

I've never seen or heard of a bike with an oil level light. Can you give some examples or did you mistype due to self-medication?

BuzZz · #7 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon May 28, 2007 5:18 pm

You might be right, I'm not sure if its level or pressure.

telefunkin · Mon May 28, 2007 5:19 pm

Yeah, it should be a pressure indicator. If it stays on after the engine starts then you'll have problems. I don't think it would affect the actual ignition system though.

My first guess would be to check/charge the battery. I didn't charge my battery at the start of the season and had a similar problem. All the lights would come on, but it didn't have enough juice to fire the engine. When I'd hit the ignition, it would just make a click sound and the lights would dim. Invest in a battery charger or a boost pack. If worse comes to worse, get out the jumper cables.

James

BuzZz · #9 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon May 28, 2007 7:10 pm

Skier wrote: I've never seen or heard of a bike with an oil level light. Can you give some examples or did you mistype due to self-medication?

Well, my FJ for one. It is definitely triggered by level and not pressure.

Mon May 28, 2007 8:06 pm

low volume = low preasure

could be either?