hey everyone, I have a 02 explorer XLT with the 4.6L and the oil pressure gauge has never worked (the three years I have owned it) I did an oil change yestarday and replaced the sending unit thinking that was the problem but the gauge is still not working. Any ideas what other problem it may have?

Thanks,
Nate

 

Does it always read low, do you ever see it wiggle or bump? Have you tried using a mechanical gauge in place of the sending unit to confirm you actually have decent oil pressure?

-Rod

 

It always has read low no wiggles or bumps and no I have not tried a mechanical guage. Is that easy to do? I just did an oil change so I would assume the pressure is good

 

short the wire at the sensor to ground, it should read mid range. If no reaction the wire between the sender and gauge is open...or the circuit in the cluster is open... Philip

 

Also my 4x4 light keeps flashing brought it to my locall ford dealer they ran a check on it and said I needed a new 4x4 switch so I had them do it $200 bucks later a week goes by and the light is flashing again. Brought it back they ran another check (free of charge) and now they say its the speed sensor?? has any one else had this problem and is it easy to change your self? the dealer wants $225.

thanks for your time

 

Your dealer is guessing and costing $$$$$... Philip

 

Shorting the sending unit wire to ground is definitely easier that connecting a mechanical gauge. And in case you are not aware, the "gauge" is not really a gauge, you either get a reading of no pressure or a reading of "normal" pressure, hence the reason shorting the sending unit wire to ground will result in a mid-gauge reading.

As for the 4x4 light and speed sensor, the speed sensor the dealer is referring to is located in the transfer case, it's not the vehicle speed sensor. And as mentioned above, you need to find a shop that will actually diagnose this indication versus changing a part based on how they interpret their scan tool.

-Rod

 

There is a connector under the dash that is known to come loose, especially if you have tilt steering. Pays to check first..... Philip

 

Any idea what this connector looks like, is it easy to spot?

 

Thanks for your input on the 4x4 light I thought I was getting shafted by that dealer i will have to ask around for a reputable maechanic.

 

To All... did you find the wiring harness under the oil pan rubbing the drip protector from a oil filter change? The harness rubs the protector until it rubs through the black plastic harness, then starts rubbing through the oil sending unit wire and will eventually get to the started wire!

Did on my 03 Explorer Limited!!!

I found the problem on explorer forum with pics. Look identical to mine. When 4.6L is placed in Explorer Chassis, the wiring harness rubs the oil filter drip protector on the frame.