Oil changed - red indicator turns on

[Bullfrog]

Hi there

Changed the oil, spark plugs and oil filter yesterday. Since then, the red oil lamp turns on (first flickering, now permanent).
Does anyone now possible reasons that cause this symptom?

Thanks

[ben2go]

I strongly recommend getting a service manual.

First thing you need to do is check the oil pressure with a gauge.The port is located on the right side of the engine below the little round cover with 3 bolts.It's a large chrome plug that looks like a bolt.You can also remove the right side ignition cover(three 7mm bolts) and check the sender and make sure the wire is still tight.It looks like a large bolt with a wire connected to the top of it with a small nut.It's below the ignition plate.You can also try removing and reinstalling the filter to make sure it has a good seal.

Oil pressure test procedure.
Connect oil pressure gauge.
Start bike and idle at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes(20 in winter).
Increase engine speed to 3000 rpm-oil pressure should be 28-71psi with an oil temperature of 140*F

[Bullfrog]

Start bike and idle at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes(20 in winter).

You want me to run the bike for 10 minutes with oil warning lamp ON? This can't be a serious advice unless you plan to ruin my motor. 

You can also try removing and reinstalling the filter to make sure it has a good seal.

I'm gonna check that first.

[sledge]

Good call Ben, 20 mins running with possibly no oil pressure??.....geeez man!!  Good job this guy has some sense otherwise you could have siezed his engine for him   

Bullfrog.....you must forgive Ben. In his eagerness he sometimes has a habit of passing on misleading info, making comments without thinking things through and offering suggestions that are far more complicated than they need to be, this is another example.

Try removing the oil pressure switch until oil drains out, it could be that a bubble of air has become trapped in the gallery behind it causing the switch to trigger erratically, its rare but has been known to happen. Try this first if it doesn't work come back, there are other possibilities.

[Big Rich]

What about a stripped wire between the pressure sensor and indicator light? IIRC, the wire completes a grounded circuit- so maybe it's just grounded all the time somewhere else.

[Bullfrog]

Well guys...

Blame it on me. I simply installed the filter in the wrong direction. 
Fired her up after reinstall and she runs pretty smooth. Think I'm goin' for a short ride to check if there are any further problems.

Thanx ev'rybody!

[GSnoober]

Glad to know you got this one resolved so quickly...

[sledge]

Yep......without trashing your engine 

[The Buddha]

Well guys...

Blame it on me. I simply installed the filter in the wrong direction. 
Fired her up after reinstall and she runs pretty smooth. Think I'm goin' for a short ride to check if there are any further problems.

Thanx ev'rybody!

I didn't even think it would fit front to back ... But well I guess it does.
Cool.
Buddha.

I didnt know it fit in reverse too.. interesting.

[TheGoodGuy]

Well guys...

Blame it on me. I simply installed the filter in the wrong direction. 
Fired her up after reinstall and she runs pretty smooth. Think I'm goin' for a short ride to check if there are any further problems.

Thanx ev'rybody!

I didn't even think it would fit front to back ... But well I guess it does.
Cool.
Buddha.

I didnt know it fit in reverse too.. interesting.

f%$king modify and quote are next to eachother.. sorry buddha.. i accidently posted in your post.

[ben2go]

Good call Ben, 20 mins running with possibly no oil pressure??.....geeez man!!  Good job this guy has some sense otherwise you could have siezed his engine for him   

Bullfrog.....you must forgive Ben. In his eagerness he sometimes has a habit of passing on misleading info, making comments without thinking things through and offering suggestions that are far more complicated than they need to be, this is another example.

Try removing the oil pressure switch until oil drains out, it could be that a bubble of air has become trapped in the gallery behind it causing the switch to trigger erratically, its rare but has been known to happen. Try this first if it doesn't work come back, there are other possibilities.

That is how the Clymer manual states how to do it.The only other alternative is replacing parts and hoping.I guess you could pull the spark plugs and valve cover.Then sping the engine over with the starter and see if oil starts running out of the cam bearing caps.

[sledge]

Why dont you try something then, put YOUR filter in back to front, wait for the red light to come on and run it for 20 mins. Then come back to us and tell us what happens 

Mechanic for 17 years??........dont make me laugh!

[Big Rich]

Wow Sledge. Relax- Ben is just trying to help.

I understand his advice could have damaged an engine, but that's no excuse for your actions.

[XLAR8]

well id do sledgies advice.... but then if there was a problem you would pick it up and not go the full amount of time, but then again a mechanic for 17 years would know that.

[the mole]

Well, the Clymer manual method makes sense if you have a motor that's been running fine and you just want to test the oil pressure, but it would be utter madness if there was already evidence of a lack of pressure (the oil light). Given the facts as presented (problem appeared after someone worked on the bike), there are no prizes for having guessed what happened here!

As a pilot, the time I was most apprehensive taking an aircraft up was right after a licensed mechanic had been working on it!

[ben2go]

Why dont you try something then, put YOUR filter in back to front, wait for the red light to come on and run it for 20 mins. Then come back to us and tell us what happens 

Mechanic for 17 years??........dont make me laugh!

Why are you always attacking me.My mechanic back ground is in autos and I stated that.I never said it was on bikes.Alto I have had no issues maintaining mine and taking care of them since my early teens.None of my bikes have ever been to a shop.I must know something about mechanics.I just stated what the Clymer says.You're just trying to run me off any forum dealing with motorcycles.

[sledge]

Have you got a copy of the GS5 owners manual Ben....the little yellow one?

Let me quote what it says on page 13 of mine in case you haven't and for the benefit of others.

  Riding the motorcycle with the oil pressure indicator light lit can damage the engine and transmission. Whenever the oil pressure indicator light up indicating low oil pressure stop the engine IMMEDIATELY Check the oil level and determine if the proper amount of oil is in the engine. If the light still does not go out have your authorised SUZUKI dealer or qualified mechanic troubleshoot your motorcycle.

Yet your advice was to follow what it says in the manual and run the engine for 20 mins and do an oil pressure check. I (and it would seem one or two others) simply cannot believe anybody with even the slightest knowledge in this area would do, let alone advocate such a thing.  The red light means NO oil pressure not low oil pressure. Is this the procedure you followed when you worked on cars?.........I wouldn't want anyone doing it to mine, would you?

I will say it like it is........I saw your name show up in another 2 bike forums I use and you were making some widely differing statements that contradicted themselves in them. I punched your name into google to see what other things you were saying and now...........well.........I have seen you make so many differing claims about your background, your job history and intentions in different forums I find it extremely difficult to believe anything you say in here. Neither can I understand why you keep telling people about your background and say you are going to do these things...... is it to try and gain some kudos?? 

I am not trying to run you off the forum, this is the Internet and people BS all the time, but I am pointing out that you regularly give poor and misleading advice mainly to the newbies that could cost those who may choose to take it time, money and this case.....an engine!! Incidentally am still waiting for you to tell me how to preload a needle roller bearing as per an earlier claim of yours.

Despite what you claim I think you are dangerous and if or when I see it happen again I will say something about it again.....ok?

[gs500e]

I don't understand the issue.

The guy said to put a pressure gauge on it, to make sure it had pressure.
Then he gave the service manual's test procedure.

I don't see how that would ruin anything.  If you have a pressure gauge installed... who gives a darn about an idiot light at that point.  Gauges trump idiot lights every time.
I agree with ben's synopsis 100%.

Was not the problem this time, but the procedure is sound.

[XealotX]

I don't understand the issue.

The guy said to put a pressure gauge on it, to make sure it had pressure.
Then he gave the service manual's test procedure.

I don't see how that would ruin anything.  If you have a pressure gauge installed... who gives a darn about an idiot light at that point.  Gauges trump idiot lights every time.
I agree with ben's synopsis 100%.

Was not the problem this time, but the procedure is sound.

Ben has substantially edited his original post since this thread started. I do not believe he originally listed the test procedure from the service manual.

[gs500e]

I don't understand the issue.

The guy said to put a pressure gauge on it, to make sure it had pressure.
Then he gave the service manual's test procedure.

I don't see how that would ruin anything.  If you have a pressure gauge installed... who gives a darn about an idiot light at that point.  Gauges trump idiot lights every time.
I agree with ben's synopsis 100%.

Was not the problem this time, but the procedure is sound.

Ben has substantially edited his original post since this thread started. I do not believe he originally listed the test procedure from the service manual.

But.... the first response to his post quotes the service manual test procedure (or atleast one line of it).
And his post has not been edited since about 9 hours prior to that response.

edit: and in fact his response did include; what would end up being the solution; 'remove and reinstall the oil filter'.