Transmission Oil Light

[TonyTheTige]

One of these days I'll be able to answer a few of the questions posted in this section, but for now, I'm still the one asking.

A few background facts:
- 2001 21V w/ 350 Mercruiser,
- blue transmission,
- ~345hrs
- transmission shifts as smooth as butter
- all readings on dash are normal


So here's the question, why does the transmission oil light stay on at slow speeds? It sometimes will stay on at higher speeds (20-25mph) as well. Every now and then it will flash.

The previous owner said the light did that as well, and the mechanic who performed the annual service (5 hrs. ago) said it wasn't anything to worry about. The fluid looked great and the transmission was in great shape.

Do I have a faulty relay? Is there an easy way to fix this? I hate seeing a "warning" light on the dash.

Thanks everyone.

[laserfish]

It will stay on when your RPM's are under about 1000-1200. When it lights occasionally I would say check your oil level. Mine never comes on unless I am at idle speed. Does not sound normal to me, I would question the judgment of the mechanic.

[kko]

If that light comes on when you over 1000rpm you have an issue. Low on fluid,bad connection @ switch or bad switch are the culprits. Double check fluid,clean and tighten conncetions on switch.If they are good replace the switch.
*staying on under a 1000rpm is normal they all do that.
My bad I was doing two things at once. I was reffering to the V-drive.Like Dom mentioned you are looking for the switch on the V-drive and want to make sure you check the V-drive fluid level.

[dom w. forte]

Is this a trans. light or v box light there not the same, normally the red light is a vbox light and it has its own pressure switch which goes out after you exceed idle, if it comes on after idle you should be checking the vbox fluid and switch.

[TRD]

Should my boat have this light also?

Does anyone have the correct info on "how" we should be checking the transmission oil? or the correct amount that we should be putting in? Would it be different for a V-drive then a Direct Drive? I would assume so because the transmissions are different but don't really know.

I have only been putting in 1 1/2 quarts of Dextron III, I thought this was in my manual says but I haven't been able to find it. There has been some different thought floating around about this lately but it could be the DD against the V-drive also.

[boatwakes]

It's the Walter V-drive light. They're an oil bath unit and don't build enough pressure at low speeds so the light being on above 1200rpm is something to worry about. Mechanical pressure gauges are available to check your pressure at speed. Transmissions and v-drive are 2 different things. Transmission uses atf and Walter V-drives use straight 30wt oil, non-detergent if you can find it.

[dogbert]

It's the Walter V-drive light. They're an oil bath unit and don't build enough pressure at low speeds so the light being on above 1200rpm is something to worry about. Mechanical pressure gauges are available to check your pressure at speed. Transmissions and v-drive are 2 different things. Transmission uses atf and Walter V-drives use straight 30wt oil, non-detergent if you can find it.

This was how it was explained to me when I first bought my boat. While it's labeled a transmission light, the sender is actually in the V-Drive unit. If you're low on transmission fluid you'll feel it slipping.

[TRD]

It's the Walter V-drive light. They're an oil bath unit and don't build enough pressure at low speeds so the light being on above 1200rpm is something to worry about. Mechanical pressure gauges are available to check your pressure at speed. Transmissions and v-drive are 2 different things. Transmission uses atf and Walter V-drives use straight 30wt oil, non-detergent if you can find it.

So then it sounds like my transmission could only take 1 1/2 quarts of the dextron III oil. I need to find where I seen this but I think I feel better now.
Thanks

[TonyTheTige]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I don't feel any slipping, so my first thought is/was the sender unit. Didn't think about checking all the connections. Fingers crossed it's something simple. I'll do that tonight and hopefully get the boat out this weekend for a test run.

If it comes down to a bad sender unit, does anyone know where I can get a replacement sender and any tips for replacing it?

[kko]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I don't feel any slipping, so my first thought is/was the sender unit. Didn't think about checking all the connections. Fingers crossed it's something simple. I'll do that tonight and hopefully get the boat out this weekend for a test run.

If it comes down to a bad sender unit, does anyone know where I can get a replacement sender and any tips for replacing it?

Make sure you check the fluid level in the V-box. The trans could be fine and full but the v-box fluid being low can cause your issue.

[TonyTheTige]

Is there a separate dipstick on the v-drive unit? I know the blue v-drive unit is under the rear middle seat, but don’t remember if I saw it's own dipstick.

[boatwakes]

Yes, the v-drive has a dipstick with a round head about the size of a quarter. Pull it out, wipe and then re-insert for correct fluid level (boat level and engine off, blah, blah...).
Replacement units are just pressure sender "idot lights" and have a pressure setting that is set at 5-7psi. The difference from the jegs, summit and most switches is the switch is normally closed. When the fluid pressure is above the preset, the internal switch opens and the light goes out. When it falls below, the internal switch closes the contacts and current passes to the light (light on). Probably best to purchase a new unit from Walter V-drives and go from there. Also, use pipe thread sealant on the threads, DO NOT USE teflon tape, that is for water and water only connections. Good luck.

[TRD]

I need some advice now. I found my manual. I have a 10-17-004 71C in line 1-1 velvet drive transmission. It says that I should use 1 1/2 quarts of dextron III trans fluid.

I found a manual off the Velvet Drive website and it has 5 transmissions w/ the ratio's & fluid amounts. The says I should use 2 quarts. What do I trust?


Here is the link to the manual, it does have a lot of good info in it.
http://www.mv-dreamer.com/VelvetDriveOwnersManual.pdf

[kko]

I need some advice now. I found my manual. I have a 10-17-004 71C in line 1-1 velvet drive transmission. It says that I should use 1 1/2 quarts of dextron III trans fluid.

I found a manual off the Velvet Drive website and it has 5 transmissions w/ the ratio's & fluid amounts. The says I should use 2 quarts. What do I trust?


Here is the link to the manual, it does have a lot of good info in it.
http://www.mv-dreamer.com/VelvetDriveOwnersManual.pdf

All the ones I have workedon seem to be right at the 1.5qt mark. I would start there and then go with what the dipstick readsas full.

[mtr0890]

Transmission oil light

Owners manual indicates it is normal for the transmission oil light to be on a low rpms. Seems like poor signal engineering to me but otherwise not supposed to be a problem.
best regards,
Martin