Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone could answer a simple question.

My wife has inherited a 1972 beach buggy that was built by JPS. We have been out in it a few times just recently and it was running without issue but when we put it back into the garage yesterday, the orange warning light on the dashboard flickers when the vehicle is ticking over. Not having any documentation on the vehicle we have no idea what it may be indicating.

I have tried to make contact with JPS but neither the website or telephone number are recognised anymore.

If anyone can advise we would be very grateful.

Cheers,

Graham and Debbie

Hi guys, and welcome to the forum   

Don`t forget to put a quick hello and introduction in the Newbie section, so everyone on here knows we have some more friends.

My gut feeling is that the light you refer to sounds like a Battery light or Oil light ? Probably goes out as the engine revs increase?

What state is the battery in? car been standing? Belts nice and tight?

Do you have enough oil in the car?

The oil one can be easily determined by finding the oil pressure switch and pulling the spade terminal off - if the light goes off, it was an oil light.

Hope that gives you something to start with, let us know your findings, and more will be along to help   

Hi Dave,

Many thanks for your prompt response.

My guess is that it is oil pressure indicator, I assumed that the red light was the ignition (or charging indicator).

Having located the dipstick I have checked the oil level and that is fine - so could it be a faulty oil pressure switch? Or something more serious? Where is the switch located - any idea?


Cheers,

Graham and Debbie   

Looks like this, and should be near the base of  / behind the distributor on a standard engine



Wouldn`t panic just yet though   

Hi Dave,

Thanks again. I'll check it out.


Cheers,

Graham and Debie

Some VW engines do tend to flicker a little if very hot, and my old 1300 would flicker like a good un at tickover if it had anything other than 20/50 in there

If the light comes on permanently, still flickers with engine revs, or flickers when engine cold, then immediate action needs taking

I had a similar issue with the oil light coming on at idle on the Corvair motor when it was just 300 miles old.

Turned out to be a failed pressure switch which was brand new when we built it....swapped it out for a new one and all was good again

Hello and welcome.

As above, try the switch, then drop the oil, remove the sump plate and make sure that the oil strainer is clean then reassemble. Re fill with something like a 20w50 oil, nothing too thin, with maybe 1/2 a bottle of STP in it for a few more additives.

For a rough check an the condition of the engine bearings (which genearally affect oil pressure) grab hold of the bottom pulley (when it's not running of course) and try to pull it back and forward. There should just be  couple of thou. free play. If you can't feel any play or feel a bit but not actually see the movement then all's well. If you can see a bit of movement but the engine's still running sweetly with not leaks then it'll probably last a few years or more given the mileage that buggies usually do. If there's a few mm's play then it's not long for this world.