Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) No oil pressure...

[CoastyAV8R]

I was out the door heading to work when I fired up the Dodge and after about 10 seconds I heard a chime and got the "check gauges" light on the dash which was accompanied by a 0 reading on my oil pressure gauge. I changed the oil about 500 miles ago and I use Fleetguard stuff so the chance of my oil filter coming apart (Fram) is very minute. The oil level is fine and there are no other indications of a problem. When I drove the truck home yesterday, all was good. What's the concensus? Oil pressure transmitter? Gauge gone bad? The truck is a 2001 ETH 4x4 with a little over 40000 miles on it. I have the Dodge service manual for it at home but I didn't have time to rummage through it as work was beckoning.



Thanks in advance,

Pat

 

[RustyJC]

Most likely an oil pressure sending unit. There's a TSB on this, but the concensus seems to be, "Don't get the reflash!!" as it just leaves you with a "dummy" oil pressure gauge. Okie-Go and a number of others have had this problem.



Rusty

 

[Pit Bull]

Go here should answer all your questions. https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53678

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Thanks for the replies. I kinda figured it was the sending unit. After reading the link, it seems like there may be some confusion on what part number to use. I have a Cummins dealer here is Sacramento that I'm gonna call and give the part numbers and see what shakes out. Mine is an early 2001 HO model, not sure if the sending unit is different or not from the standard output engine.



Thanks again,

Pat

 

[CoastyAV8R]

I ordered the sending unit part # 3408428. Is this what everyone has been using? I got it from Cummins for $65, Dodge wanted $210 for it. :--)

 

[Jim Ross]

Couldn't swear to the part number, but you did the right thing by going to Cummins. I had the same problem on my '01 and bought my replacement sending unit at Cummins... . same price you paid.

You will need a large socket to change it out. Actually, you should use a deep well socket so that you don't damage the electrical connection... you'll see what I mean when you take out the old unit. I went in thru the wheel well with a couple of extensions on a ratchet. The unit is O-ringed, so should not be very tight.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by CoastyAV8R

I ordered the sending unit part # 3408428. Is this what everyone has been using? I got it from Cummins for $65, Dodge wanted $210 for it. :--)

Sick isn't it? Just plain Sick

 

[CoastyAV8R]

Ever since I got a new truck I've had to change my maintenance philosophy. On my 91 Dodge diesel, I changed the sending unit with a pair of channel locks, I wouldn't wipe up the fuel I spilled down the side of the truck from overfilling the tank, spilled coffee on the seat without much concern cuz I knew it would dry out if I left the windows open. Now with this truck I have to wipe up the spilled fuel so as not dull the shine. I scotchguarded the interior due to my coffee drinking habits and now your tellin' me I have to buy a socket to change the sending unit? I'm headin' downhill...



Thanks to all,

Pat

 

[CoastyAV8R]

This is for future reference so some poor sap surfing this site in search of an answer may stumble across this and enlighten them as to how to fix their Dodge if they get a no oil pressure indication or an erratic indication. First off, I was told by my neighbor who works on industrial diesels, that the Cummins design for the oil pump is over built and should easily outlast the rest of the motor. So unless you run Fram oil filter the chances of actually having no oil pressure are fairly remote. The cause of mine was a faulty sending unit. The maintenance manual outlines no troubleshooting procedure, it was from searching this site that I found the sending unit to be a common fail item. I ordered part #3408428 and when it came in it had magically turned into part #4088390. I asked what was up with that and the parts guru told me it is the latest and greates that Cummins has to offer all of us valued customers. The Dodge dealer wanted $210 for it, so I gladly paid Cummins the $70 + tax for it then went in search of the socket to pull the old one since it is too tight for my channel locks. I found that a 32mm OR a 1 1/4" deep well socket with about 8" of extension was enough for me to get it while working from above. The sending unit is located beneath the ECM, below the fuel filter housing and above the starter on the driver side. It has a small electrical connector on it. Took about 2 minutes to change it out, torque is 144 in lbs as per the manual. All is well. Hope this helps someone out in the future. Thanks to all who replied and guided me through the procedure. I just wanted to consolidate the info for ease of surfing.



Pat

2001 ETH

 

[CoastyAV8R]

This is for future reference so some poor sap surfing this site in search of an answer may stumble across this and enlighten them as to how to fix their Dodge if they get a no oil pressure indication or an erratic indication. First off, I was told by my neighbor who works on industrial diesels, that the Cummins design for the oil pump is over built and should easily outlast the rest of the motor. So unless you run Fram oil filter the chances of actually having no oil pressure are fairly remote. The cause of mine was a faulty sending unit. The maintenance manual outlines no troubleshooting procedure, it was from searching this site that I found the sending unit to be a common fail item. I ordered part #3408428 and when it came in it had magically turned into part #4088390. I asked what was up with that and the parts guru told me it is the latest and greatest that Cummins has to offer all of its valued customers. The Dodge dealer wanted $210 for it, so I gladly paid Cummins the $70 + tax for it then went in search of the socket to pull the old one since it is too tight for my channel locks. I found that a 32mm OR a 1 1/4" deep well socket with about 8" of extension was enough for me to get it while working from above. The sending unit is located beneath the ECM, below the fuel filter housing and above the starter on the driver side. Clear as mud? It has a small electrical connector on it. Took about 2 minutes to change it out, torque is 144 in lbs as per the manual. All is well. Hope this helps someone out in the future. Thanks to all who replied and guided me through the procedure. I just wanted to consolidate the info for ease of surfing.



Pat

2001 ETH

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

That's O. K Coasty no matter how many threads are on this topic it somehow is allways missed. Theres enough of em thats for sure.



No matter how ya slice it it just shows Dodge all in all isn't very Cummins friendly ... ... ... ..... ESPECIALY being they endorse the heck out of the trucks.