Where is the oil pressure switch on a V90 engine?

martin calva · Apr 18th, 2020, 19:20

Good evening! Greetings from Lockdown Normandy!

I'd be grateful for any clues about where the oil pressure switch is situated on a V90 engine.

Many thanks,
Martin

capt jack · Apr 19th, 2020, 18:55

Yes, it is buried deep within the engine bay, nigh on close to unreachable. It's quite close to the base of the engine oil dipstick.

The oil light on my 3-litre S90 (same engine) is sometimes a little lazy at going out, sometimes not, so I suspect the switch might be faulty. A replacement was easy to source and cheap to buy. But although I can see the switch from underneath the car, getting to it with a spanner would require some fairly serious dismantling.

I asked at two garages, and although both agreed fitting a new switch was a good idea, neither were willing to take the job on, saying that the stripping down work made no financial sense. A third (a Volvo specialist) didn't have a look but advised leaving well alone.

All said that they'd be worried about getting the old switch out only to find that they couldn't get the new one in, or worse still, damaging the new switch.

The oil light on my car usually goes straight out, but will occasionally stay lit for perhaps two seconds after the engine has started. It's been the same forat least the past 2 years and 30,000 miles, so I'm working on the basis that it's just one of the car's little oddities - it is 23 years old after all!

It did strike me that the switch is about as far away from the oil pump and filter as it's possible to be on this engine, well above the sump, and well above the oil level, so if it is a bit clogged then it wouldn't surprise me. There's a bit of oil misting out around the switch, but not enough to warrant major surgery. The wires feeding the switch do appear to be a bit tatty-looking too.

The other thing that the oil light does, sometimes, is not come on at all if the engine is re-started shortly after being switched off, which would kind of fit with the idea that the switch is just a bit tired.

Cheers

Jack

martin calva · Apr 19th, 2020, 19:30

......(posting now not necessary so deleted)

martin calva · Apr 19th, 2020, 19:40

Jack, Many thanks

That's pretty much how mine behaves. Mostly it will fail to go out when I start the engine. First time I noticed, it gave me a scare.

Usually, if I stop the engine and restart, it will then go out instantly.

Many thanks for the helpful information. Obviously I am not going to be able to change it in 20 minutes lying on my back underneath the car. The new switch from Skandix will join the other spare parts in the boot and wait for such time as there is some serious dismantling going on.

Many thanks again.
Martin

Apr 18th, 2020, 19:20	#1
martin calva Senior Member Last Online: Feb 8th, 2024 21:33 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Falaise	Where is the oil pressure switch on a V90 engine? Good evening! Greetings from Lockdown Normandy! I'd be grateful for any clues about where the oil pressure switch is situated on a V90 engine. Many thanks, Martin

Apr 19th, 2020, 18:55	#2
capt jack VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 19:26 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Selby, North Yorkshire	Oil pressure switch Yes, it is buried deep within the engine bay, nigh on close to unreachable. It's quite close to the base of the engine oil dipstick. The oil light on my 3-litre S90 (same engine) is sometimes a little lazy at going out, sometimes not, so I suspect the switch might be faulty. A replacement was easy to source and cheap to buy. But although I can see the switch from underneath the car, getting to it with a spanner would require some fairly serious dismantling. I asked at two garages, and although both agreed fitting a new switch was a good idea, neither were willing to take the job on, saying that the stripping down work made no financial sense. A third (a Volvo specialist) didn't have a look but advised leaving well alone. All said that they'd be worried about getting the old switch out only to find that they couldn't get the new one in, or worse still, damaging the new switch. The oil light on my car usually goes straight out, but will occasionally stay lit for perhaps two seconds after the engine has started. It's been the same forat least the past 2 years and 30,000 miles, so I'm working on the basis that it's just one of the car's little oddities - it is 23 years old after all! It did strike me that the switch is about as far away from the oil pump and filter as it's possible to be on this engine, well above the sump, and well above the oil level, so if it is a bit clogged then it wouldn't surprise me. There's a bit of oil misting out around the switch, but not enough to warrant major surgery. The wires feeding the switch do appear to be a bit tatty-looking too. The other thing that the oil light does, sometimes, is not come on at all if the engine is re-started shortly after being switched off, which would kind of fit with the idea that the switch is just a bit tired. Cheers Jack

Apr 19th, 2020, 19:30	#3
martin calva Senior Member Last Online: Feb 8th, 2024 21:33 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Falaise	Still searching... ......(posting now not necessary so deleted) Last edited by martin calva; Apr 19th, 2020 at 19:42.

Apr 19th, 2020, 19:40	#4
martin calva Senior Member Last Online: Feb 8th, 2024 21:33 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Falaise	Jack, Many thanks That's pretty much how mine behaves. Mostly it will fail to go out when I start the engine. First time I noticed, it gave me a scare. Usually, if I stop the engine and restart, it will then go out instantly. Many thanks for the helpful information. Obviously I am not going to be able to change it in 20 minutes lying on my back underneath the car. The new switch from Skandix will join the other spare parts in the boot and wait for such time as there is some serious dismantling going on. Many thanks again. Martin

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