Oil pressure drop in '85 Townie

I have an '86 Townie and just today purchased an '85 Townie. I had to replace all the vacum lines which were easier than I thought since this vehicle does not have an intake plenum, which is a pain in the !@#$^^% to remove. My other problem is that the oil light is on. This vehicle does not have any oil leaks as far as I can tell. I don't know whether it is the oil pump, which is a project in itself to replace :disappoin , or the oil pressure gauge. I don't know whether my car has one or not. If it does could someone please tell me what I'm to look for? How abount an oil switch? I'm confused. This is a great looking car and would hate to just part it out. Please help.

Hello,

I just got to this forum and have an '89. If by chance you are speaking of the Low Level oil light --then the oil level sensor switch may be a problem. It is mounted on the oil pan. Check the wiring. Mine used to come on at odd times and then go off. After jiggling the wiring at the sensor, I didn't have the problem anymore. I even bought a new switch but never installed it because you need a special size socket which I do not have handy. Are you sure that the light you are speaking of isn't this one? It is in the driver info box which has numerous others above the light switch near the drivers door (on an '89)?

John R

Hey, I'm 100% positive it is not the oil level light. There are 2 lights for oil. There is one that says "oil" which is the oil pressure and one that has an "oil can". That one is for oil level. Does yours have the 302 V-8 5.0 EFI? My other Townie is an '86 and has this engine, the '85 is actually carburated! Kind of weird since I havn't seen a carburator since high school auto shop. Anyway I will try to jiggle the wires anyway it can't hurt. At this point I will try anything. If I can't get the darn thing fixed I'm going to sell it. I live in a hispanic area and these guys love big cars, and they can fix cars like you wouldn't belive.
Chris L.

OK,
I had to go out to the garage and check this out myself and cross referenced this check with my owners manual.
Good news/bad news:

Bad news is that you have this backward. All the cars I have ever driven always show the little "genie lamp" as the indicator for oil PRESSURE--Linc TC no exception. The Linc manual states that this lamp comes on for start and key on positions. It should go off shortly after engine start. The lamp marked "check oil", in this car---is the oil level. It is the box in the lowest right hand corner of the driver info panel near the door. So, good news is---if you are speaking of the "check oil" light--you are speaking of oil LEVEL. This is the lamp and problem I was speaking of. if your oil is 3.5(?) or more quarts, this light should never light. If it does, as you say, then either the wiring needs attention or you need a new sensor. Like I said, I bought one more than 8 years ago and it is still sitting in its box on my toolbox. Replacing it requires a special socket which I do not have. Mine has not been a problem since I jiggled the wiring and I watch my oil closely anyway. Good Luck !

John R