Oil Pressure Gauge Question??

[CumminsPower98]

Here is my problem. If my engine drops below normal idle speed for a short time due to lugging it down a bit in low gear, the oil pressure gauge will sometimes drop to zero, the chime will sound, and the "check gauges" light will come on. Very soon after the engine speed increases the needle will come back up to just below 40 PSI (when engine is hot).



Here is my question. Does anyone here think this could be caused by a bad sending unit? I seriously doubt the oil pressure is really dropping off all of a sudden like that. I have not put a mechanical gauge on yet to test it. It seems like I remember reading something a long time ago before I was a member about some trouble with the new dash in '98. Could this be related? See sig. for truck specs. One more thing, it will do this easier if it is really hot out (95º to over 100º) because the pressure is just a tad bit lower I would think. The pressure when reved up is well above 40 PSI say 55 60 70?? Well if anyone has any bright ideas please let me know.



TIA

 

[Missouri Mule]

CumminsPower98,



Could be sending unit, should be able to check out with multi -meter.



Not sure about dash problem.



Best thing to do is not lug the engine! If this this the only time the oil pressure drops to zero.

Lugging will kill the engine sooner then later and I'm not talking about stalling out, I'm talking about major rebuild.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

It could be a bad sending unit. I would test it.



There is a TSB out on this. It calls for a re-flash.



http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/1999/08-22-99.htm



Because it happens when its hot, I doubt the TSB is the fix.

 

[rhoads]

oil pressure sender

Can say with doubt it IS the sender. . Replaced mine twice,last time added tee for manual feeder guage . with over 700k and a 15 min job now biggie. If you add a manual feed use sch 40 fittings. (steel). " vib's" . You will need to buy a adaptor socket,

 

[CumminsPower98]

Thanks!

Thanks guys, I went ahead and ordered an oil pressure sender. I am quite sure that is what the problem is. It never has any trouble when the engine is at idle or above. It only messes up when the engine drops below idle for a few seconds sometimes like when taking off in first or second gear.



Thanks again everyone for the thoughts!

 

[CumminsPower98]

Fixed! I hope...

Well I installed my new oil pressure sender today and so far it seems to have solved the problem although I have not tested it much yet. Hope it really ddoes the trick. Pricey little unit, $53. 42 at the local CarQuest.

 

[rhoads]

oil press sender

cp 98

you got ripped Supprised! mine as i remember i got from local pronto parts place and it was less than $20. have to dig back thru records for pt # but it was mfg'ed pu standard products.

 

[rhoads]

oil press sender #

# -ps 233

standard products-pronto-