Oil light.

So I just got my new used kz650 ('78).

It runs great so far and seems to be a pretty solid bike, and I want to make sure that it keeps running great.

On that note, I had a simple question about the oil light. It doesn't come on.
I'm assuming that it should probably come on when the ignition is on, but the engine is off, but it doesn't.

I've pulled the ignition cover and grounded out the wire, and that does cause the light to come on, which leads me to believe that the switch/sending unit is bad, but on every other vehicle I've worked on, the oil sending unit usually fails to the "on" or "closed" position.

I just wanted to check to make sure that it should infact come on before starting the engine before I go buy a new one.

Thanks!

You are correct the light should come on at key on engine off, then go out upon starting the engine. If you ground the wire from the switch and the light comes on, then I would replace the oil pressure switch.
Good first post and welcome to KZR lots of god info and help here.

Motor Head wrote: You are correct the light should come on at key on engine off, then go out upon starting the engine. If you ground the wire from the switch and the light comes on, then I would replace the oil pressure switch.
Good first post and welcome to KZR lots of god info and help here.

+1
I had the same problem with my 750. If you remove the wire to the switch, ground it and the dashlight comes on then that is the diagnostic test given in the Haynes manual for a dud switch. If same as the 750 then easy to replace using the right socket. 26mm I think, maybe 27.

Thanks guys, That's what I thought, just wanted to make sure.

Found one on the cheap so hopefully that'll do the trick.