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On 31 Jan 2002, at 10:07, Hanson,Todd wrote: > When I turn the ignition switch to the first position with the key the > generator (red) and oil (green) lights come on -- good so far. Then, I'll > try to start the car by moving the key to the next position. On occasion, > like when it is very cold, the car may not start on the first try or will > run for a second or two then die (fairly normal). However, when I click the > key off then back to the first position, the red light comes on but not the > green light. The car will always start okay (eventually), but the absence of > the oil light is a concern. If I stop the car after a drive then come out to > restart it, the red and green lights usually go on without a problem. I > check the oil level whenever I buy fuel and the car leaks very little, so I > am not really concerned that the amount of oil is insufficient. Most people never notice this, but it's pretty common and no problem. (I think) what is happening is that when you try to start the engine you actually run the oil pump a bit and build up pressure in the oil passages in the engine. This actuates the switch and turns off the light. When the engine then fails to start and you release the key, the oil pressure doesn't go down right away, so the oil light stays off. This is because you still have pressure. If I understand correctly, if you wait there for awhile, with the key just ON, you'll notice that the oil light will come back on in a few more seconds, because the system actually takes some time for the pressure to bleed down. This is especially true in cold weather when the oil is thick. - Jim Adney jadney@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711-3054 USA ------------------------------------------------------------------- List info at http://www.vwtype3.org/list or mailto:help@vwtype3.org