Temporary oil light wiring for start up.

[stroprock]

I am soon planning to start the engine in my minor, after stripping and reassembling it. I want to rig up the basic starter wiring to get it running first, as there's no loom in the car yet. I want to have an oil light for safety in case the worst happens. How do I wire it up? Is it wire from sender to positive on the battery?

[andypocock]

12v from battery to a bulb, through the bulb and then onto the oil pressure sender and then the earth back to the battery to complete a circuit. Think of the sender as a switch with one side earthed to the engine. Once the oil is up to pressure it opens the switch and turns the light off.

[stroprock]

OK, that's what I thought. How long before the light should go out after start up?

[bmcecosse]

Well -the first thing you do is to crank the engine without spark plugs until the light goes out - and then crank on for 5 to 10 seconds. Only then should you fit the plugs and attempt to fire up the engine. An oil pressure gauge would be better of course if you can beg/borrow/steal one.....

[stroprock]

That's OK, started up fine and light went out straight away. Result!!