Motorcycle Repair: Oil pressure light, metal shavings, sensor light

Question
Chris: Just changed oil & filter in '96 Yamaha Virago 1100. Now the pressure light comes on 60-90 seconds after starting. I have to start & stop the engine 3-4 times before the light stays out.Usually does not happen if the engine is warm.I dont know what weight oil I removed,but I replaced it with Yamalube 20w40, which is what was recommended.The filter is is not installed backwards. The bike just turned 11k miles.Crazy huh? Please help. ...Thanks,Dave

Answer
Hi Dave.
 That light is not an oil pressure light.  It is an oil level sensor light.  It's your basic, old-fashioned "idiot light" and only says that the oil level is low.

When you changed the oil, did you clean off the metal shavings from the magnetic pickup on the drain plug?
If not, then you could have bits of metal breaking free from that and coming through the system, getting caught on the sensor.

Other than that, you could have a short in the wiring to the sensor or sensor light.  Check the wiring from power to the sensor and from the sensor to the light.

Also be advised that Viragos often develop minor shorts in the main wiring harness at the steering head.  If there is a short, that is the most likely location for it, since that part of the harness moves around and gets bent back and forth the most.

Good luck.
FALCON