Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil Pressure Gauge Malfunction?

[JKuhnhenn]

Just gettin ready to go on a trip and now the gauge is acting up, I think. Here is what's going on. When I turn the ignition on, engine not yet turned over, the oil pressure gauge goes from zero to 40 psi plus then within a few seconds drops back to zero. When I start the engine the oil pressure gauge shows zero. Yep, there's oil in the truck. I am kind of hoping that the problem is the sending unit or the gauge. Any insight into my delima. Any checks I can do to confirm whether or not it is a pump or a gauge?

 

[ecpeters]

I think if you check you will see there has been a TSB issued for oil pressure senders. But note that the dealer fix is a down load to the ECM which will make the gauge look as if it is working but it is not. The oil perssure sender needs to be replaced. Do not let dealer do a re-flash of ECM make them replace the sender.

 

[JKuhnhenn]

Based on it being an oil pressure sending unit, is it ok to run the truck? I am not a mechanic, but is a sending unit easy to replace? What about putting a mechanical pressure gauge on the top of the oil filter housing?

 

[illflem]

To me it sounds as though you may have already had the reflash, possibly unknowingly, and the erroneous readings are more of a minor computer glitch.

I'd drive it.

 

[JKuhnhenn]

If the ecm was reflashed it was done without my authorization. I brought my truck to the Dodge dealer to fix a boost sensor. Does that have anything to do with the ecm? That was performed several months ago.