oil light

[adam79]

On my 79sf, the words on my indicator lights between the tachometers have worn off. There are 3 lights and the one in the middle is red. It comes on when I turn the key to 'on'. it turns off when I start the bike. as im cruising sometimes it flickers back on, but never stays on for more than a second or 2. This happens quite often. What is the light indicating to me by this behavior? is this normal? Now, my first guess was that it was an oil pressure light. I checked my oil 4 days ago, and it was a little low so I added about a half quart, but, the light continues to flicker while driving and now Im wondering if I have a problem. What is this light, and when is it supposed to be on or off? Do I have a problem somewhere?

-Adam

[oseaghdha]

It also tells you when your tail/brake light is out.
Check/clean the tail socket, that usually fixes it.

[fredintoon]

Oil warning light

Hi Adam
at the top:- Amber left & right turn signal lights.
In the middle:- Red oil warning light.
At the bottom:- White headlight burnout light.
The red light should light up when the key is turned on but will go out when the oil pressure builds up.
If you have driven for miles with the red light giving the occasional flicker and the engine has not fragged itself, most likely there's a bad connection or a faulty pressure switch.

[fredintoon]

It also tells you when your tail/brake light is out.
Check/clean the tail socket, that usually fixes it.

Hi joey,
I never knew that. Does my SG oil light do that too? I have looked at the Clymer wiring diagrams.
SF shows red/black to ground via the oil pressure switch and green to the reserve lighting unit.
SG shows red/black to ground via the oil pressure switch and tan to the rear stop switch + tach + horn + flasher relay and all those tan wires connect to a blue/green to the reserve lighting unit.
And I am no wiser.
Next time I have the seat off I will unplug the tail lights to see what happens.

[bikerphil]

Common problem on the 79 Specials. There is a light checker unit under the seat on top of the battery on the left side. Try wiggling the wires that go into it. Sometimes there is a bad connection there. HTH

[adam79]

Alright, I will check.