It's a common problem, searching the archives should turn up many
discussions.

The alarm is the warning that you have insufficient pressure above 2000
RPM.  Low pressure at idle would illuminate the warning lamp but not
sound the buzzer.

The causes can be many, including an oil weight that is too light, a bad
sender, incorrect oil filter, oil level too high (which can cause
foaming and loss of oil pump suction).

To rule out an actual pressure problem, the mechanic should check the
oil pressure with a test gauge.  If it's OK, you can start to divide and
conquer on the other possibilities.

Allan

Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU> writes:

> Hi folks,
>
> Matilda's got a new trick.  Every time I start to drive, the oil buzzer (the
> one that lights up the little picture of an oil can) takes to buzzing.  Oil
> level is fine, coolant is fine, there's no apparent problem.  It doesn't
> happen if I sit with the van idling, but as soon as I start to drive (within
> max 30 seconds) the buzzer lets out a squawk.  If I turn off the engine and
> turn it on again, I get maybe another 30 seconds of quiet, then it starts
> again.
>
> This just started today, and actually I drove her directly to my friend's
> mechanic (who has succeeded in fixing other troubles in the past - no real
> vanagon mechanics less than 100-or-so miles from here).  We figured it's
> something about the oil pressure switch or associated wires - he's going to
> do some searching and get back to me.
>
> But I'm wondering if others have had this happen, and if you've got
> suggestions.
>
>
>
>
> Joy
>

--
1991 Vanagon GL