Low oil pressure warning light / dead battery

[cheech74]

The other day i had the oil pressure warning light come on & rather than take it to the garage I thought this would be a good time to try & get more involved with the mechanics of my Morris 1000. After going online the obvious answer seemd to be the pressure valve was stuck open, so i attempted to undo the bolt - I had unclipped the wire that was running from the engine to ( I guess eventually ) the light on the dial - unfortunately my spanner must have touched the exposed electrical swith on the sump & caused a spark.
Now i seem to have no power at all - no warning lights or anything. Will it be a case of me just knackering the battery or could this be more serious?

many thanks in advance

[mike.perry]

Probably just blown a fuse.

[bmcecosse]

Welcome to the forum! Don't understand - which 'switch' did you touch ?????? Did you SEE a spark ?? In any case - I suspect it may not be the 'low oil pressure light' that came on (and even if it was - relief valve stuck is extremely unlikely) - was it an orange light? Did it go out when revving up ? Is there oil in the sump? Is there also a red light in the speedo? Entirely possible the bulbs for red and orange have been mixed up in the past. Meantime - check for battery connections - none of the Ign/fuel pump is wired through a fuse -so it's certainly NOT that.....

[MarkyB]

Check the large spade connector that goes on the solenoid.
I suspect it's not charging and the lights have been mixed up.
Did the engine start sounding like a bag of bottles?

[cheech74]

Yep - saw a spark. Where the relief valve is just above is an electrical connector - thats where the spark came from. I had disconected the wire to make access easier to the relief valve
There is fuel in the sump. Its the orange light above the red ignition light on the right side of the dial. Doesnt go out on revving - although when it first came on it did flicker while going round the corner. Engine sounded ok, but didnt want to risk travelling much further in case there was a problem and in case I killed the engine due to lack of oil flow.
Going to have another look in a few days when I have a day off work.

[bmcecosse]

It may be the 'filter blocked' warning light - but first you need to get power back into the system. Can you show us a picture of this 'electrical connector' ?

[MarkyB]

There is fuel in the sump

In with the oil?
Needs changing pronto!

It can be caused by running with the choke out for long periods or a very rich mixture generally.

Whatever, it will make the oil very thin and it must be changed as a top priority.

[bmcecosse]

I was assuming (hoping really) that it was just a typo - and actually oil in the sump.......

[cheech74]

Yep - was indeed a typo....Late nights & early mornings arent helping my typing. I don't know much about engines but i am pleased to say i know where the fuel should & shouldnt be. Have found the attached pic online which is similar, but mine doesnt have the t-piece or the brass fitting - but it does have the wire attaching to a connector.

When I'm home in daylight will check everything again.

Thanks for your input - its much appreciated

[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

That is the oil pressure switch - and it shorts that wire to earth to operate the light - so you must have had the Ignition ON while working? And shorting the wire would do no harm whatsoever - and of course the switch is just that - a switch - no electrical power whatsoever...... Any problems with oil pressure light etc are a heavy hint to do as in that pic - fit a T piece and an oil pressure gauge. Then you will KNOW what's happening.

[cheech74]

Oil pressure gauge on order.
Managed to get the power back on - rechecked all the connections. Started the engine & revved it - orange light went out. Drove up the road & it came back on again. The engine sounds fine & no unusual noises so I guess it just faulty electrics?

[bmcecosse]

Well - could be faulty switch - the new gauge will tell all.

[srisang1]

Advice removed as completely wrong and dangerous to the health of your engine.

[bmcecosse]

Errrr - not really. In older cars the Orange low oil pressure light requires immediate engine shutdown and investigation. The Red charge warning light is a bit less urgent - but does require an asap check to see if the 'fan' belt is still in place and turning the water pump and fan. Welcome to the forum, by the way!