First, on an 86 the oil light is a blinking light. Is yours blinking? If
not, the oil pressure warning circuit board may be at fault.

If blinking and doing so with the engine running, unplug the 2 wire
plastic connector near by the thermostat housing. This is where the
brown wires from each of the 2 oil switches join the vehicle harness.
With this connector unplugged, the warning light should be off at idle.
Is it? If now off, the problem is likely with the low switch or the wire
to the low switch, or you really do have low oil pressure. If still
blinking at idle with double connectors unplugged, there is an
electrical problem between there and the blinking led.

You can't leave the connector unplugged or the oil warning led and
buzzer will go off at around 2000 rpm.

Mark

Allen Hill wrote:
> Greetings All,
>
> My daughter announced that the oil pressure light (86 Vanagon - AKA: The
> Mystery Machine) was on this morning and would not go off.  I know there are
> two senders for this, one for high and another low pressure.  What I would
> like to know is where they are and which one would be easiest to get to in
> order to attach a temp oil pressure gauge for test and check purposes.  I
> started the motor and the lifters do not rattle, so I am hoping that it may
> be just a gauge or sending unit issue.
>
> Can some one point me in the correct direction on this?
>
>
>
> Route 66 Rider!
> Ramon Hill
> Live Long and Be Free
>