Oil light blinking, what can it be?

Finally nice weather in Texas, Vfr 5th gen running great, until was stopped on a hill for 15 minutes due to traffic. That's where it began. Oil light started to blink once, then pause, then twice, then paused and again same thing. I checked for oil and looked full. After I got home, I changed the oil and oil filter, disconnected the battery to possibly reset? Once I was done, I cranked it and turned on. Oil light was one. Left it on for about two minutes and nothing. Still on, I checked the oil window and looked fine. I would bleep the throttle over 3500 rpm and the light would go off, then come back on once the rpm would come down. I am stumped. The bike sounds good and was working fine until I was stuck on the hill for about 15 min due to traffic. Anybody ever experience this? Oil pump? Oil sending unit? Will it go away after a while? Don't want to damage the engine, even though I know there is oil in there. Any help would be appreciated.:confusion:

 

Manny, sorry for the dumb question, but are you actually referring to the FI light? That will do a morse-code type pattern to indicate any faulty sensors for the fuel injection.

The oil light is illuminated by an oil pressure switch; low oil pressure is as you know a Bad Thing. I would not suggest that you run the bike with low oil pressure at all. The pressure switch looks like it lives at the bottom of the V under the throttle bodies, so won't be a picnic to get at to test.

I'd be awfully surprised if you really have low oil pressure in a bike that contains oil and was previously running fine. I'd suspect a faulty switch or wiring first.

 

Thanks Cad for replying. Yes its the oil light that's being illuminated. It really scared me, but was confused when I looked at the oil window. Could the steep hill caused the low oil pressure? I was in a steep hill for about 15 minutes. That's when the light started blinking. I will check out the pressure switch as soon as possible. It seems like when I give it some gas and the rpm goes up the light turns off and then comes back on when the rpm drops. That's got me thinking it has something to do with the pressure. I just read the manual and it says the light may flicker when engine is on or near idling speed when engine is warm. I don't want to take ny chances and check the pressure switch. Would there be any reason an oil pump would go bad? Thanks again Cad. Any help is much appreciated.
I should mention its a 2001.

 

Other than an electrical fault it could be worn main bearings.
Get a pressure gauge and test the actual oil pressure.

I wouldn't run it with the oil light on for more than a few seconds. That way can lead to expensive engine rebuilds.

 

I will do that today. I will keep everyone posted. Bike only has 12000 miles on it

 

could be really bad oil too or a cheap oil filter not working.

 

In Texas i'd guess u were running a 20W-40 oil, right ?? i hope that while you were on the hill the oil didn't fall below the oil pick up due to the angle and starve bearings. :dread:

 

add a little oil, being slightly over filled might solve the problem

 

Never over fill.

 

add a little education to yourself...being slightly smarter than retarded might solve the problem...

 

I thought so too, so I changed the oil and filter and now it blinks and come off when I raise the rpms to 4000. I let it warm up and still the light is on.

 

I am running 10w-40. Should I be running 20w? Squirrel that is what I am afraid of. The angle I was in was pretty steep. I was going up the hill, and hoping the oil didn't fall below. I hope I was not starving the bearings. I just bought a oil pressure tester. I have been looking for the oil switch. Do I have to remove the throttle bodies to get it? I have been googling looking for the best way to approach this.
I appreciate everyone's help.

 

You have to be kidding, revving the thing to 4000 so the light goes off, best way to stuff a motor and by the sound of it probably is

 

I thought it was going to stay off, but it didn't. No weird noises from the engine or anything. I haven't turned back on until I check it. Regardless I have to turn it on, if its the bearings, then its the bearings, hoping its the switch or the pump. I revved it up after 2 minutes of changing the oil and filter to make sure it cycled and it was a quick throttle. By any chance Norm do you know the best way to get to the oil switch?

 

Your oil pressure switch is probably a "normally closed" switch. In other words it turns the light on until pressure opens it (It lights when engine is off and ignition is on, correct?). I would check wiring and associated connectors first for corrosion or bad connections. If connections are intermittent then light will indicate a false reading. If everything checks out, then you need to do an actual pressure test to get an definitive answer.

 

Sorry no idea where the switch is on your model but on mine it is easy to get to,I assume yours is in the same spot, down on the R/H side bottom of the V. Remove the right side faring and it should be visible

 

Allyance, you are correct. Light is on when engine and ignition is on. I am planning on doing a pressure test here in a bit.

 

1/8th gas thread from memory

 

Norm, my vfr is a 2001 5th gen. I am going to check to see its on the same side as yours. Hopefully its as easy as yours. I got the gauge now I just need to test the oil pressure. I will keep everyone posted.

 

Thanks Norm!