On our 2001 Explorer the oil pressure switch doesn't work when the engine is firts started cold.

After a few hundred yards it works and keeps working 'till the next morning.

Is it possibly a sticky oil pressure switch, or should I look for it in the wiring/electronics?

By the way, took a quick look but have not located the oil pressure switch yet, where is it located?

Paul

1972 F100 Ranger XLT
2001 Explorer Limited 4.0 SOHC

 

My 95 does the same thing. Try smacking the dash board, and if jumps right up, then you know it's not really a pressure problem. Not sure about the 01s. Which motor do you have?

 

My 2000 did the same. I replaced the sending unit to fix it. In my 5.0 it was located above the oil filter.

 

oil filter

 

I have an '00 w/the SOHC V-6 for my work truck and it does the same thing, cold weather only. Once I realized it was just the gauge, I quit worrying about it! It now has 93k on it & has otherwise been a pretty good truck.

 

It's a common problem with the sending unit. It's not the guage.

 

Does anyone know if the oil pressure gauge really indicates oil pressure? I know some gauges are basically an idiot gauge - they just indicate whether something is "on or off". Does this gauge just show that some oil pressure is present, or will it move up and down when oil pressure varies? The reason I ask is my gauge never moves once the engine is started, so I figured it was just telling me that it detected some amount of pressure.

 

I'm not sure about the late models, but I believe the early models (91-95) were basically idiot lights in that they were either registering or not. I'm sure someone on this board will know how much pressure it took to make them register.

 

Mine is a 99 explorer sport and the "gauge" works like an idiot light. I don't remember how much pressure it takes buy it isn't much. Some where on this site there is a tech article that explains how to convert the gauge to a actual pressure working gauge. I can't remember how that is done either but it isn't hard to do other than taking off your dash panel and using a soldering gun. Hope this helps.

 

Also has a 2001 Explorer 4.0 SOHC with cold oill pressure light. I purchased a new oil pressure sending unit and have teh Ford Shop Manuals. Cannot find the unit to replace. Not by the oil filter on mine. the manual states on the left front of the engine. I see two sending units on the top front of the engine. The one on the left facing the engine is the temperature sending unit the one to the right of it might be the oil sending unit, but not sure and I haven't taken the time to remove the plastic throttle cover to pull it to see. Does anyone know for sure?

 

Intersting question on oil pressure guages. Min I think is real - it moves up and down with RPM and cold/hot engine. Some say otherwise for fords.

Here is an article http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/...53105598019.1e

here is a string on discussion https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...t=oil+pressure

 

Just replaced mine, it's a pain to reach. I managed with a socket wrench and a 15" extension. From the left front wheelarch I could put it straight through the innerfender and it perfectly lined up with the oil pressure switch. Took me about half an hour to figure it out, but when I did it was done in less then 10 minutes.

tip: some oil is coming out when you pull the old one, so loosen it till it can be turned by hand, and place the new one in the socket (which is still in place through the innerfender), then when the old switch falls out, you can immediately screw in the new one.

Paul