Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Oiling system?

[CCiatteo]

I had a weird situation today on the way to work. As I came up to a stop light, the oil pressure light came on and I looked down and saw the guage was at zero. I immediately pulled over, shut off the truck. I checked the oil level and it was halfway in the safe zone, so no low oil condition. I check every time I get fuel, so didn't really expect to find a problem there. No oil leaks to speak of and no consumption issues. So could it just be a sending unit acting up?



How are our oil pumps driven? Via a shaft like in a SBC or SBF?



Chris

 

[GSchlegel]

I'm no expert, but my 96's oil pressure started droping on a trip. It fluctuated and was a lot lower then normal. Turned out it was the sending unit. Easy to change. Hope that is your problem.



Gene

 

[snappy]

The oil pressure sender need to be replaced. Common problem.

 

[SRadke]

Typically a sending unit problem. I worked on one a couple month ago, similar symptoms. I replaced the sending unit but it didn't fix the problem. It will randomly fall to 0 and chime. I put a mechanical gauge on it and it has no issues with pressure so I assume it is some kind of issue with the dash cluster. Interested to hear if anyone else has run into this.

 

[hsmith]

Get a sender from NAPA, around $30. Usually solves the problem.

 

[RHebert]

Get a sender from NAPA, around $30. Usually solves the problem.

Did the trick for me. It's been about a year now and 15K miles since mine exhibited similar symptoms. Only problem I had was getting the socket on the old sender. I had to grind the hex portion of the top outside edge of the socket to get it to fit.

 

[McCRam]

to answer your last question, The pump is gear driven and sits in the timing case.

 

[Swineheart]

How many psi should a 12 valve run at idle and highway speed?

 

[CCiatteo]

I always see 40psi or just slightly more. Ambient temp, engine temp and engine speed all seem to have no effect.

 

[JMcCoy]

That is because our stock oil pressure gauge is just an idiot light with a needle. It only reads pressure or no pressure. I wonder of our stock oil pressure "gauge" will support a variable pressure sending unit.

 

[CCiatteo]

That is because our stock oil pressure gauge is just an idiot light with a needle. It only reads pressure or no pressure. I wonder of our stock oil pressure "gauge" will support a variable pressure sending unit.

I suspected that. The temp gauge in my 99 Firebird Formula is the same way, it reads 210 all the time no matter what. When I installed a real temp gauge I was happy to see the car runs just above 180 most of the time.



Might have to install a real oil pressure gauge in the future.