Oil Pressure Gauge going bizzerk

[RPDRed6]

Alrighty guys I know with our cars the oil presure gauge moves a tiny bit here and there when you get on the gas, but there are times with my car where if i am at a complete stop or diving at a constant rate, the Oil pressure gauge needel will wildly bounce back and fourth.....? Help? :)

[Choppers]

Re: Oil Pressure Gauge going bizzerk

Is this a replacement one? If so they tend to suck.

[vanbibber]

Re: Oil Pressure Gauge going bizzerk

back and forth how much?

[RPDRed6]

Re: Oil Pressure Gauge going bizzerk

Is this a replacement one? If so they tend to suck.

umm as far as i know it isnt a replacement tho, the gas gauge doesnt work (most likely fuel sending unit) and is partialy not lit up at night

back and forth how much?

not from one complete end to the other but a fair amount

[Mogobs30th]

Re: Oil Pressure Gauge going bizzerk

either the cluster is acting funny, or your bearings are getting a little worn. My oil pressure will go from 65 psi to roughly 30 psi, and back and forth during normal driving, and depending on the heat of the car, engine, and outside temp. But its possible the bearings could be worn.

[pace2006]

Re: Oil Pressure Gauge going bizzerk

With your car being an '01 model, it has the "dummy" oil pressure gauge, which only shows extremes in oil pressure. So that leaves you with a few causes; either an aging oil pressure sending unit (a common issue), faulty connection to the gauge, or actual low oil pressure issues.

Since oil pressure sending units tend to act funky and brittle after age and long term exposure to heat, try replacing it with a new factory unit. Aftermarket units are known to be sensitive and sometimes read high, so avoid that if possible. Also check that all the connections in the wiring are good and that nothing has come loose or is broken to give a false reading.

If that doesn't show any change, try hooking up a mechanical gauge and see what it says.

Oh, and while you're at it... check your oil level to make sure that's up to spec. ;)

[RPDRed6]

Re: Oil Pressure Gauge going bizzerk

With your car being an '01 model, it has the "dummy" oil pressure gauge, which only shows extremes in oil pressure. So that leaves you with a few causes; either an aging oil pressure sending unit (a common issue), faulty connection to the gauge, or actual low oil pressure issues.

Since oil pressure sending units tend to act funky and brittle after age and long term exposure to heat, try replacing it with a new factory unit. Aftermarket units are known to be sensitive and sometimes read high, so avoid that if possible. Also check that all the connections in the wiring are good and that nothing has come loose or is broken to give a false reading.

If that doesn't show any change, try hooking up a mechanical gauge and see what it says.

Oh, and while you're at it... check your oil level to make sure that's up to spec. ;)

thank you :bowdown:

[Rob Bell]

Re: Oil Pressure Gauge going bizzerk

So does anyone know, is the oil pressure gauge on '01's and '02's really controlled by the sending unit or the computer? If I were to replace the sending unit, would that allow the gauge to show the proper readings, rather than being a "dummy" gauge? I've read before that diagnostic tests allow you to sweep the gauges... which leads me to believe the gauge is computer-controlled.