So I have a '93 Cavalier 2.2L that I race on dirt tracks, and I have been chasing a couple of problems. One, an oil leak somewhere, and two, the last couple of races it has been cutting out, only in the corners when I get back hard on the gas.
Last night, I was looking for the oil leak. When I was underneath the car, I noticed that the fuel pump/oil pressure indicator switch had oil droplets on the bottom of the plastic electrical connector. I unplugged the electrical connector and oil started dripping out, fairly steadily. Note--I did not unscrew the metal screw that the electrical connector plugs into from the block, obviously I would expect oil to drip out of that. I just unplugged the male electrical connector from the female plastic hookup, which I was surprised that oil would drip from there when I unplugged the electrical connector.
I am relatively new to this, so please forgive what may be a couple of dumb questions. But first, should oil drip out when I unplug the electrical connector? If not, then that is my oil leak and I am guessing I need to replace the switch assembly.
Second, perhaps more significantly, I read the service manual and got a general understanding of the dual function of this fuel pump/oil pressure switch, but I am not exactly clear on it. What role does this switch play with regard to the fuel pump? Is there any way that if this switch is damaged and/or oil-soaked improperly, that it might be the source of my problem with the engine cutting out?
no it shouldnt leak from plug. second, it is a safety switch to shut down the fuel pump in a 0psi oil condition, to prevent engine damage
this post lets me know somethings i too am having an issue with the cornering and the engine cutting out.
for a while when turning i my engine would cut out, but then it started doing it going forward.
lastly, today i noticed a small amount of oil on floor. then i took it down the street to get gas and bam a pool of oil was under car. thought about calling AAA but was close to home, so i quickly drove back home. (hope engine is ok)
so i did notice the oil started to come from the top to floor, i took apart the ICM and the plugs and boots off. couldn't under stand where the leak was coming from until i unplugged the oil pressure switch connector. and it was full of oil.
right now i am guessing the oil leak came from there. got the part on order and hope this fixes the leak and maybe that cutting out issue i had been having.
sounds like the switch was on its way out all this time, no?
~1996 Cavalier LS 2.4L (auto)
