How long should the oil pressure light stay on?

[SkyRider]

OK, the first issue with my "new" 1983 R80LT. I am gratefull that it does not leak, and it does start right up. But, after a cold start, it idles around 700 to 800 RPM and the oil light does not go out. There are no nasty mechanical noises, and as far as this new-to-boxers owner can tell, it does not seem to be running dry. If I slowly open the throttle, the oil light goes out around 1200 RPM. There is no change in the engine sound when the light goes out.

After warm up, she idles around 900 to 1000 RPM and the oil light stays out, even with a closed throttle.
Checking the oil cold, the level is right in the middle of the dip stick range, and the oil looks new.

So far I have heard:

1. Its not so unusual
2. The oil filter parts might be out of order
3. It should not be
4. The sender might be the culprit

So, what are collective thoughts?

Thanks, Len S

[widebmw]

If it is the oil light it should go out immediately if not your engine is toast.

That light is acting just light the alternator light should.

Are you sure which light you are looking at ?

[Manfred]

+1 to widebmw's comment. I have owned my boxer 8 months now and I still (occasionally) think my alternator light is the oil light, because the word "oil" is above it. But "oil" is actually below the oil light, as are all the labels on those idiot lights.

[krehmkej]

Red=alternator light
Yellow=oil pressure light

[SkyRider]

Hmmm, I will need to have a closer look. Unfortunately, the bike is at my other place, I won't get to it till next week. Sure would be nice if I were wrong about the light being the oil light. It definately is red.

Len S

[SkyRider]

HA!

Looks like I've been duped:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g196/lsmetona/R80/LensBMWR80RT_RS05.jpg

It is the bottom red light that was on, which now looks like the GEN light. Well that is just great, took care of my first problem with out tools! Thanks guys. Now on to my next concern.
Cheers, Len S

[Manfred]

Red=alternator light
Yellow=oil pressure light

Easy for you if you're not color blind :(

[keelerb]

Red=alternator light
Yellow=oil pressure light

Both red on my bike (84 R100RT).

[535is]

Easy for you if you're not color blind :(
Yup. Red = Amber to some of us. I cannot for the life of me figure out why warning lamp designers cannot come up with a simple change to address this. Such as, oh, I don't know; a lighted pictograph!? Anyone wonder why all car dashboards have this now? :stick

Back to the topic. The very first culprit to suspect in that system is the sending switch. They are notoriously weak and their failure modes are many.

[Manfred]

Yup. Red = Amber to some of us. I cannot for the life of me figure out why warning lamp designers cannot come up with a simple change to address this. Such as, oh, I don't know; a lighted pictograph!? Anyone wonder why all car dashboards have this now? :stick

I've wondered why not different shapes?

PowerPoint at work on a screen is the pits - shapes are much better than pale shades of washed out color.

End of thread hi-jack.

[SkyRider]

They are notoriously weak and their failure modes are many.

Sometimes, I deal with people that fit that desciption. Very quotable.

[beemerPhil]

Why do you think they're called idiot lights?

:stick