oil light coming on? (maxim owners - need help!)

[maximnewb]

When trying to start up my 82 maxim 550 the starter relay clicks off (won't start at all through the ignition....only push start) and the oil level light comes on. Since it has been like this since I bought it, I have no basis for reference.

Does the oil light always come on if the starter relay clicks off? Could it just be a bad relay, or could the oil sensor be faulty, causing the relay to click off?

I'm positive the right amount of oil is in the pan. I have checked it several times through the window (when warm and not running) and recently did an oil change with the specified volume of oil from a manual. (Unless there's some other factor I'm not aware of that could cause this volume to be different?)

All suggestions are much appreciated!

[flynrider]

I would venture to guess that you are looking at two different problems. Possibly a bad starter relay (or something else in the starter circuit), and a faulty oil pressure sensor. There is no common connection between the oil light and the starter circuit.

[9000white]

them oil sensors are bolted to the oil pan.
some yamahas light up until the engine cranks--this is just a check to insure that the switch is working.
the switch will sometimes stick and stay on--this is a common problem with them.
they do not register oil pressure only the amount of oil in the engine.
it works like a toilet valve.
i have had them stick and the light would stay on until i hit a bump and the light will go out.
hold the starter switch down and check the big wire going to starter with a test light to see if current is going through the solenoid to the starter.

[storysunfolding]

I don't know if it's true of the maxim, but I have an 82 xz 550 and an 81 xs 400. I found that Yamaha used poor oil seals in the nose of the starters (the xz550 sits in the oil, the xs 400 is right above the oil but gets enough on it) and in both my bikes the oil seal failed, the starter filled with oil and it kept them from working.

Try connecting the positive terminal of your battery right to the terminal on your starter. If the starter kicks, then you have something wrong with your circuit, if the starter doesn't do anything, crack it to see if it's full of oil. If it is all you need to do is clean it out with brake cleaner and replace the seal.