Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) erratic oil pressure gauge

[dodge cummins]

today driving at highway speed in my 96 ctd my oil pressure gauge dropped really low when i accelerated hard. no oil light came on or anything like that. when i slowed down and drove at normal spped the gauge pretty much leveled out to the 38-40 range that it is usually in. i am thinking it is the oil pressure sending unit. whats everyone else think?

 

[RT66DOC]

Probably the sender. Common problem. Happened to mine and a bunch of others. Real show-stopper, eh?

 

[dodge cummins]

scared the crap outa me. i was having fun on the highway and i floored the gas pedal and i was doing about 85 and i look down and my oil pressure almost reads 0. i could not stop where i was because i was in the passing lane of a major highway. finally when i got off the the on/off ramp it leveled out back to 40. i figured it had to be a sending unit. i will try to locate one on monday morning now that i know i can drive the truck. heck drove the truck 30 miles since it went to zero so the oil pressure must be fine. is there any special tools needed to replace it on a 96. thanks again and happy holidays

 

[RT66DOC]

Just for peace of mind you can check the true pressure by putting a mechanical gauge on it. There's a port - 1/4NPT? - on top of the oil filter housing.

 

[dodge cummins]

man that oil pressure sensor is a pain in the ***** to get to

 

[RT66DOC]

man that oil pressure sensor is a pain in the ***** to get to

Now ya know why I paid money for somebody else to do it. When you asked if there were any special tools or things to know I was going to say having small hands and two wrists on each arm would help.

 

[Forrest]

man that oil pressure sensor is a pain in the ***** to get to

Sounds like something to do ... ahead of time. Where's it at?





thanks

 

[I-6DZL]

right behind the power steering pump threaded into the block. Barely enough room to get a socket around the sender, very tight to the pump.



I done mine about 2 mo's ago, i thought it was pretty darn easy. But of course i was working on a hoist and all the special tools anyone could ask for.



Forrest if i remember right, they're about 30$ from Carquest (where i got mine) just keep an eye on the guage if it drops pull over check oil, if full start back up and listen for abnormal engine noises, if no engine noises replace sender at that time.



Curtis

 

[dodge cummins]

ok replaced it this morning, took about half hour. the hardest thing is manuevering a 3/8 socket in there and i had to use a 8 inch extender. the oil pressure sender was 22 bucks at my local auto parts counter and the special socket (lisle) was7. 50. when i pulled the old one out it was basically falling apart. i never saw a puddle of oil under my truck but it was clear that it was leaking because there was some oil around the area and it was dripping on top of the torque converter cover. i just hope i have it in their tight enough so it doesn't leak oil. i drove the truck right after i replaced it and the gauge seems to be reading normal again 38-42 range and it was not leaking after driving the truck so i probaly have it tight enough. happy holidays guys