It's like an instrument cluster or voltage stabilizer or ground issue I
suspect -  the dim oil pressure light.
'dim' btw does not 'mean anything' regarding the oil pressure. It's an
on/off, yes or no warning light system.  It is an electrical issue.
Flickering however, would be an oil pressure issue. 
Yes, you can always 'T' and have both - idiot light and gauge. 
( though I've had a FLAPS parts counter person tell me that wasn't possible,
but believe it is, and it's what I put on subaru engine conversions. Nice to
keep all functions functioning. )
  I have one 1.9 wbxr engine out in use.............oil pressure light is
always on at idle.  Lately the guy told me the oil light was on anytime
below 1,500 rpm ( ! ) .........i offered to put in 50W last time he was by,
but he wasn't concerned ! .......
  We're just about to put in a new freshened up 1.9 though.  
scott 
www.turbovans.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
craig cowan
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 2:43 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil Light, '85

So i have this problem i've had from day 1 and always sortof assumed it to
be no big deal (as the previous owner told me....). The oil light is always
on, but very dimly. I know it gets brighter, because it was much much
brighter and more consistant in the summer when i had a cheap Fram oil
filter and 10W30 oil (for like 2 weeks....seriously!). So i almost feel like
its an electical gremlin that makes this light dimmly glow, and i've heard
this is a problem that can be found on the pre '86 vanagons. Anyone have any
ideas?

I know the only GOOD way to prove its not a problem is to install an oil
pressure guage, which i'm hoping to do. However, i know i cant just replace
the current VW sender with the one included in the kit, i'd have to use some
kind of T to keep them both functioning right? Are these bits generally
custom parts? I'd like to make the problem go away and have a van without
idiot lights that are always on, a car the functions the way its ment to.

-Craig
'85GL