I just bought a 95 f150. The oil pressure gauge is directly above the temperature gauge. The temperature gauge doesn't work at all. The oil pressure gauge bounces everywhere. It pretty much stays on 0, but when the gears change it goes up and then goes back down. I replaced the sender and that hasn't worked. Since the temperature gauge is directly below doesn't work, do you think it could be something else? The truck has 140,000 miles on it so I expect to have to fix some things.
Also I'm wondering if you think I paid too much for it. It's an XLT 4x4, 2 fuel tanks, extended cab, power everything and in good condition. I paid $3200. I'm just hoping I've not gotten myself into something that I'm going to have to pour alot of money into.
Thanks for the advice!

 

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Sounds like you need to put some more money in it, what is happening is you have an engine with low oil pressure and when you change gears the RPM goes up and you get above 6 or 7 PSI oil pressure. The oil gauge is like a light (on/off), it only read zero and half scale (6 or 7 PSI oil pressure) and will not go above that. The temp gauge may have a wire off at the engine, you did not say what engine you have.

When you buy a truck over ten years old you look at the body, and if it is in good condition and if the truck has what you want and the price is right you buy it. I do not look much at the engine, transmission or rear end as I take it for granted that I need to replace or go through them anyway and you can not believe what the seller is telling you.

If it is what you want and in good condition body and interior and you need to replace the power train and you have the ability plus the tools then yes you got a good deal

 

One way to check to see if it is the gauge or the switch is to jumper the wire on the switch straight to ground. If the needle goes to the normal range and is steady there, the problem could be either the switch or low oil pressure like subford said. At that point you'd need to check the oil pressure with a mechanical oil pressure gauge to see what the actual oil pressure is. If you don't hear all kinds of tapping and hellacious noises from the engine, I doubt that there is a problem with oil pressure.

 

From what you have described, I would assume there was a problem with the instrument cluster, not the engine oil pressure. You could pull the cluster and check for bad connections, or swap the cluster for another of the same year from a junkyard. That might fix the problem. If all other gauges and lights work properly, I would probably just install good quality after market gauges. The stock oil pressure gauge only indicates you have more or less that 7psi.
Good luck Frank

 

Thanks for the advice. A buddy that is a mechanic is going to check the oil pressure for me tomorrow. I guess I'll know where to go from there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that is not going to be too much of a major problem and that it can be fixed pretty simple.
The truck doesn't make any knocking noises...it actually sounds and runs fine. I'll let you know what I find out!
Thanks, Paul.

 

I have to drive it over to the guys house tomorrow about 10 miles away....is that a bad idea to drive it you think?

 

Just an update....
Turns out, it needs the oil pump, rod and main bearings replaced. I've never done it before. Any advice? Does anybody know about how much money I'm going to be out?

 

did you check pressure with a gauge?

is the pan off yet?

 

Yes..my buddy is a mechanic and owns a salvage yard...he checked it for me.
No the pan isn't off yet...I haven't started anything. I am ordering the parts tomorrow. Is this something I can handle myself or do I need to get someone to help me?