Oil pressure light on European Z400J four cyclinder.

This model has the oil pressure light in the tacho next to the stop light warning light.(edited because I'm an idiot). Neither lights are working and I noticed that all the wiring for the sidestand switch incuding the switch itself and the cable that was meant to retract the stand are missing. The engine is very quiet and after doing about 40 miles on it since I bought it is not making any strange noises and I'm reassured of the oil pressure being OK by a small leak from the rockerbox gasket.
I had originally thought that the oil pressure light wiring might have been affected by the removal of the sidestand switch wiring..but looking inside the headlight shows no sign of this being the case. The bulb was swapped for a new one but still nothing. I have traced the wiring as far into the loom as I can and all seems OK but I understand that doesn't mean much. I googled testing the light and was instructed to test the wire from the pressure switch under the engine by disconnecting the wire from the switch and with the ignition on looking for a voltage with a multimeter. There is a fair bit of soldering around the wire connection to the switch so I didn't disconnect the wire for fear of having to resolder it again.From what I can see the wire goes up into a space in the engine case where there is a single wire connector. That's about as far as I've got as i'm not good rolling around garage floors any more these days. I know, I should invest in a bike lift but y'know how it is.
                                           Should I persevere with testing the wiring or just buy another pressure switch? Have to say I've not personally had a pressure switch fail on any of my bikes over years and it does appear that somebody has also had a go at the wiring as the wire coming from the switch as it isn't the same colour as the wring in the headlight and wiring loom.

Oil pressure switches seldom go wrong however if left un used for a goodly while can get sticky. I would test you have continuity from the wire where it connects to the single pole on the oil pressure switch and the connector in the headlight. If you have continuity cut the botched soldered connection by the switch, remove the switch and give it a good clean and ensure the plunger is free moving without any stickyness. Test the switch with your multimeter if OK refit. Then solder a proper connector to the wire and refit. The wire pole connection should be covered with a rubber boot. 

Unless I'm mistaken, the switch can be tested easily by checking continuity to ground from the wire terminal.  Engine off, wire goes to ground.  Engine running (oil pressure,) no continuity to ground. 

I know next to nothing about the Z400 machines. So I am asking if it has an oil pressure warning light or as some of the 550 bikes have, an oil level system with warning light.  Just attempting to learn more.

It´s not an oil level sensor, it´s an oil pressure switch.

 
 
 

wrote:

Oil pressure switches seldom go wrong however if left un used for a goodly while can get sticky. I would test you have continuity from the wire where it connects to the single pole on the oil pressure switch and the connector in the headlight. If you have continuity cut the botched soldered connection by the switch, remove the switch and give it a good clean and ensure the plunger is free moving without any stickyness. Test the switch with your multimeter if OK refit. Then solder a proper connector to the wire and refit. The wire pole connection should be covered with a rubber boot. 

                  OK thanks that's good advice and worth doing before I drop the oil out to remove the switch. The rubber boot thing sounds like a bit of a luxury on a 39yr old bike, I'll get some pics later to show you what I mean.

wrote:

Unless I'm mistaken, the switch can be tested easily by checking continuity to ground from the wire terminal.  Engine off, wire goes to ground.  Engine running (oil pressure,) no continuity to ground. 

                 I'm a relative latecomer to Multimeters so I'll have to give the nice Mr Wookie's tutorial another read. Electrickery is still a bit magical to some of us!

wrote:

It´s not an oil level sensor, it´s an oil pressure switch.

 

 

 

                 That looks very much like my sump, Can I ask which manual you are showing the pictures from? A picture of the front cover would be good too if you don't mind.

ebay.de/itm/185104307972

 

Don't know your model but if the oil pressure switch is higher than the oil level in the sight glass you don't need to drain the oil to remove the pressure switch. 

Thanks for the education on which it is.  As I said I know very little about the z400s and now I have learned something new. Now the question is will I be able to remember it in the future?

Thanks for all the great advice folks, this is what I've found (those of a nervous disposition should look away now)    

This is what we have. 

This is what we have when I removed the screw holding the wire to the switch  

This is the length of the aforementioned screw  

Thoughts please Gentlemen.