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Topic: Engine light connected to? (Read 1243 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine light connected to?

Well, I finally got my 83 Cougar running again.  However, the engine light has been coming on intermittently.  Most recently it came on as I was parking and just before shifting into park.  So I was curious what the light was connected to sensor wise?

Engine light connected to?

Reply #1 –
If I'm not mistaken, in an 83, it's just an oil pressure dummy light. It's connected to the oil pressure sending unit.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Engine light connected to?

Reply #2 –
So focus on the oil pressure sending unit then to see what is going on?

Engine light connected to?

Reply #3 –
I am sure you tried the easy thing first- checking your oil. Then you could try replacing the sensor. And you might actually have low oil pressure. It's not uncommon in our cars, especially as the mileage gets high, for the rod/main bearings to wear down and cause low oil pressure. If I recall, it might even mention in the manual that flickering engine light while in drive (or reverse) with the brake held is not a big deal. If it gets annoying, you could run a little heavier oil (like 10w40) to increase the oil pressure.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Engine light connected to?

Reply #4 –
It's an oil pressure and coolant temp dummy light.

If it's acting up like you said, it's probably centered on the oil pressure as mentioned above.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Engine light connected to?

Reply #5 –
would those be the only things to set the light off?
ive seen check engine lights come on from exactly what he describes from the car almost stalling out/idleing down too low while parking/shifting, that wouldnt be a possibility here?
"Beating the hell out of other peoples cars since 1999"
1983 Ford Thunderbird Heritage
1984 Ford Mustang GT Turbo Convertible
2015 Ford Focus SE 1.0 EcoBoost

Engine light connected to?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Ductape91;335813
would those be the only things to set the light off?
ive seen check engine lights come on from exactly what he describes from the car almost stalling out/idleing down too low while parking/shifting, that wouldnt be a possibility here?


The almost stalling, or idling too low cause a dip in the oil pressure triggering the check engine light.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Engine light connected to?

Reply #7 –
Before I did my Mustang dash cluster conversion, the ENGINE light was definitely connected to the same curcuit as the oil pressure sensor and the coolant temperature sensor. I seperated the coolant temperature switch from that circuit and ran it's own wire. I installed Mustang V8 spec oil and temp senders so the additional new gauges would work properly.

Engine light connected to?

Reply #8 –
Diagram
 

Engine light connected to?

Reply #9 –
Thanks so much everyone this should really help.  I have been really busy with university so haven't been here in a while.  It has been idling low when stopped, shifting or slowing down to stop and that is the light comes on so now I know what to focus on.  Thanks again softtouch and everyone, I will let you all know how it goes.