Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Oil sender on the 01 HO

[RKraft]

Tonight after work went to start my truck, turned on the key to cycled the heater and oil pressure gauge went right up to 80psi. I let it run and warm up and screwed in a mechanical gauge when I got home 30psi at idle and 70psi when revved up. I have not had a chance to look for sender yet the kids are being little s***s #@$%!. SO if some one has time and knows the part # I will need I will call Cummins tomorrow. Thank you in advance.



Thanks

Randy

 

[HBarlow]

Randy,



I may not have all the facts here but based on your post it sounds like you have recently purchased the '01 truck. The symptoms you report remind me of my experience with my '01.



A two or three years ago with mileage under 100k I started the engine and the dash warning lights illuminated and warning bells sounded. I checked the gauges and observed zero oil pressure. I suspected the sender or computer, not oil pressure, but was not aware of all the history on Cummins engines/Dodge gauges and stupidly took the truck to a local dealer because the engine was still under warranty.



To make a long story short the dealer reflashed the ECM and then advised me the fix was a new oil pressure sender at my expense. I okayed replacement of the oil pressure sender but regret the entire event. The ECM reflash permanently changes the factory programming creating simulated oil pressure readings. Even with a new sender installed the ECM controls the oil pressure reading on the dash gauge. When the key is on the gauge reads oil pressure. I think that is what you observed.



Harvey

 

[RKraft]

Thanks Harvey,

I did just buy this truck in October of this year other truck was totalled. I was looking through the summit catalog and decided to just purchase a mechanical gauge. Why in the world would Dodge be so stupid and do that to these trucks.



Randy

 

[Texas Diesel]

I wonder that too. Chrysler screwed up my first o1 as well. After the reflash, 40PSI, hot, cold, idle, redline. Dumb *****es. If you have the cold idle engine warming then you have the oil pressure reflash. My present 01 doesnt have the cold idle engine warming but my oil pressure gauge works as well as the dasj chime if I lose oil pressure.



I would like to have the cold idle engine warming but not enough to flush my oil pressure gauge and dash chime.

 

[WestTN]

With very cold oil I would expect higher pressure. Are you saying the gauges disagree when the engine is warm? 30 at idle`and 70 revved up is within specs.

 

[AggieJustin]

Around '01 they switched from a 3-wire oil pressure sender, that actually sent the real pressure to the gauge, to a 2-wire sender that is nothing but a switch to say when the pressure fails below critical levels. Apparently some people complained about the action of their gauge, so Dodge wrote programming to keep the numbers stable so people don't worry. Plus, the new part is probably cheaper to manufacture (but definitely not for the customer to buy).

 

[Mundgyver]

Makes me glad that I have never had a reflash done