C90 check oil lamp is on

A

asgodintended

New member
I recently got C90 2006. I noticed that on power up and after shutdown, the oil lamp is ON and the display says check.
So, I checked the oil and looks like it was low. I got new oil and added almost 4qt (which means there was a bit of oil in it but not very much).
I started the engine and let it idle for few minutes. Turned it off for few minutes and checked to make sure it shows Full (the oil looks dark, so I may have to drain it in few days and put new one - what do you think?).
But the oil lamp and check display is still ON. I drove it around the neighborhood (just in case it needs a drive cycle to reset) but it's still ON.
Any ideas?
 
FOUR QUARTS LOW?!?!?!?!?!

EEEK!

I imagine the sending unit for the light is gummed up or toast from being so low on oil, and from the motor running so hot due to lack of oil. Maybe put some Marvel Mystery oil in the crankcase, let it run for a few minutes, let it sit overnight, then change the oil.
But the light is the least of your problems. Using a little oil betweenoil changes is OK, but being more than a half quart down is s sign of a problem. Being four quarts down is a SERIOUS problem. You HAVE to find out where the oil wnet- is it leaking out (loose drain plug, leaking filter, leaking line to cooler, bad gasket somewhere) or is it being burned (bad or broken ring, bad valve seal). You need to figue this out before you continue to ride the bike, or you could cause thousands of dollars woth of damage to your motor.
 
How in the hell did you not fry your motor?? Or maybe you did? It only holds 4.5 qts with a filter change. I check mine for leaks and level weekly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I got it 2 weeks ago and didn't ride it much since I didn't have a plate - so ...
The guy I got it from had it for a year (got it last year new) but only had 400 miles on it. So, maybe they never filled it up all the way (I can only hope).
Seems to be running just fine. The couple of times I rode it, it didn't get too hot.
Of course, I will check for leaks now that it has oil in it :)
 
I would say change the oil and filter immediately!! Check the oil level and for leaks religiously!! DON"T skimp and buy cheap oil!! These bikes are not cheap to repair. Buy a good MC oil or a good synthetic. I personally use Rotella T 5W 40 synthetic which you can pick up in any WalMart, about $16/gal.

When you change the filter make absolutely sure that the old gasket is not still attached to the motor. A sure way to cause a leak. I go the expensive route when it comes to filters. I use K&N-138C, about $15. This is a chrome filter with a nut on the end for easy removal.
 
Sweet, merciful crap. That's almost completely empty. There's no way it had enough oil pressure to properly lubricate the engine. There's a very strong chance that it's sustained engine damage, and I'd get my money back if at all possible. I'd be knocking on the previous owner's door right now (and kicking myself for buying it in the first place).
 
well, I just sent an email to the Suzuki service shop explaining all of this and asking for them to do a complete check. I will let you know what they find out (may be next week before I can get the bike in).
I do appreciate all of your advice.
 
There are other possiblilities.
Maybe he sold it because he was tired of putting oil in it all the time.
OR
Maybe YOU don't have it figured out quite right and now it is 3 1/2 quarts OVERFILLED.

I'd say: Get it to a dealer immediately.
Is there any warranty left?
Hope so. You might need it.......at least to fix the warning light.
 
I suppose if the oil was checked while on the kick stand it would show nothing to low. Possibility there.

If it is overfilled don't ride it!!! I would say at least drain the oil just to see the quantity in the pan. Better to drain and refill than ride and assume.
 
yes, the bike was on the kick stand when it showed low. Now on the kick stand shows Full. After I read this, I asked for my wife's help, she kept the bike straight and ... now it's shows all the way to the top (above full). - Maybe I overfilled it. I'll drain it tonight after work :)
Thanks guys.
 
ok, I made a mistake ... I had the bike on the stand when I was checking.
So, today after draining all the oil ...
Looks like it originally had about 3.5 qt in it and I added another 3.5 yesterday.
So, now I drained it all and put new oil in it (4.5 qt) and it shows right about Full.
I still have the same filter in it - looked like it was fine.
But, the light is still On, on power up and shutdown. It's OFF once you start the bike.
So, ... this makes me feel a bit better about engine damage - shouldn't be any :)
But, what about the lamp ... any ideas? (or should I just take the bike to the shop and let them deal with it?)
 
Let's see if I can keep up my batting average........... :mrgreen:

It comes on with the key to show that the lamp is not burned out.
It comes on at shutdown because the oil pressure drops as the engine dies.

IOW, I think it's perfectly normal.
C90 guys ??
 
well, all lights come On on power up but the rest of them go OFF except the oil lamp and the display says Check. Once I power on it goes off. When I turn the bike off, that light comes On and the display says Check.
That's not what I would expect. The diagnostics should only be running after engine is started, or once the pump is ON. Why would the logic turn the light ON if it already knows the engine is OFF?
 
OK, I finally got my hands on an Owners manual - I wish I had this all along. Two minutes of reading would have answered all my questions.
My efforts weren't completely wasted though, since the old oil seemed like it needed to be changed anyway, but ... owners manual says that oil lamp indicates a problem only if it's ON while you are riding the bike (engine is ON) (sure, makes sense).
But if it's ON while the engine is not running, says to ignore it (not expected) - but it's what Easy Ryder said. Maybe it makes sense to some people - doesn't to me :) - But you were right Easy Ryder.
Now I have good oil in my bike, the right amount of it and I've learned a lot :)
 
Just to let you know. Oil being too high or too low can cause engine damage. You need to keep it withing the sight glass range thus the religious checking.
 
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