Yep, I'm back again. I decided to get some aftermarket gauges to ease my mind concerning my temp, oil, fuel and volt gauges not working. Though I did realize that my oil gauge is moving, but it's all over the place, from N on normal, down to red line, constantly back and forth. I have an 89 XLT 5.0 AOD

Alright, I searched this until I ran out of search tries and was forced to post by the forums. I am more of a visual person and was trying to find pic of the sensor locations for the oil and temp gauges. I am attaching pics, so feel free to take them and put them on MS paint and circle the areas(s) where I should be looking for the sensors. The gauges are Sunpro from AutoZone, I know they aren't AutoMeter, but I'm looking for anythign that works better than stock. Also, they seem to have gotten positive feedback from some folks on the boards here!

Here are the pics. I think I can spot the oil pressure sensor, just want to make sure. Also my BIG question is do I need to drain the oil before replacing this with the aftermarket tubing? I just had the oil changed 50 miles ago, hate to lose it unless I absolutely have to. Here are the pics. Thanks for everyone's time and patience. I will be searching for more threads, hopefully with pics, once the forums let me!!

 

The oil pressure sending unit is down near the filter (single wire running down just in front of the filter in the third photo). The temp sensor is in the lower intake plenum up front near the driver's side. Follow the instruction for connecting the voltmeter and you should be set.

One word of advice...get rid of the that oil filter NOW! Put the Motorcraft filter in there. Its a known idea that, by design, aftermarket oil filters starve Ford smallblocks on startup.

 

Thanks for the reply! I'll take care of the oil filter this weekend! Also, when I had it changed, the guy told me that Motorcraft oil was recommended for Ford vehicles. I had asked about something like a Max Life or High Mileage oil since it's an older truck, but he said Motorcraft would probably be best. Should I be using one of the higher mileage oils? If so I'll change it again this weekend and replace the filter and the oil.

 

I wouldnt change it.....you only have 50 miles on the oil.
3,000 miles on that filter wont hurt anything IMHO.

 

Well, if I don't need to drain it to install the tubing for my oil pressure gauge, I'll leave it be until it's time to change again. I'll go ahead and buy some of the Motorcraft filters for the future. Do you guys know if it is necessary to drain the oil before taking out the oil pressure sensor and replacing with the aftermarket mechanical gauge tubing? Thanks again for your help!

 

wont be necesssary to drain it, youll get some drippage from whats in the galleys, but not much.

 

I'd ditch the fram while you are in there. It won't spill much and you'll only have to add a quart.

Not to start an oil discussion, but any quailty oil that is changed at 3000 mile intervals will suffice for our engines.

George

 

Excellent, thanks guys! As soon as the sun comes up I'm going to get started this morning.

 

Taking the oil filter off will make it alot easier to get that oil sending unit.

 

On the 5.0 its very easy to get the oil pressure sending unit out without draining the oil or removing the oil filter. The sender itself has one wire going to it, and is mounted in the front of the engine.....just forward of the oil filter.

For the coolant temp there is one sensor that the ECU uses for its info....it has three wires going to it IIRC...you DO NOT want to use that one. The temp sender for the gauge has only one wire going to it and is in the lower intake. Here is a good pic and its labeled.

 

Man I have been searching for the stinkin temp sender. I found what I thought was it, had two wires, green and light yellow, mounted right above where the larger hose coming off of the radiator connects with the front of the block. It was hooked into a bushing, looked right to me, I checked the wiring scheme in my Haynes and it's showing the engine coolant temp sensor as having the same colored wires, so I stopped what I was doing to consult the gurus here as I have read that the sender should only have 1 wire. It's in the right place, right next to the distributor, but I don't want to pull the wrong one and start having other issues. Is this the right one for an 89 XLT with the 5.0L 302?

 

Yo look at the pic one post above the friggen thing is labeled "temp gauge sending unit" its that easy. I cant hold your hand.

Here is yet another pic of the one I installed on my 93/302. It is in the same exact position as the one in the other pic. This is a new sending unit that came with my Auto-Meter gauges.


Here you can see the Auto-Meter Phantom gauges I installed. I have a matching volt gauge that I still didnt install yet, but it will go in the same place.

 

Easy there buddy, I wasn't asking just you on my last question! The problem is my engine doesn't have those easy to see diagrams on it!

I guess the reason I'm being so careful is that all of my previous "mechanic" experience (which is very little) has been with imports, which can be extremely ticky if you don't do things just right. This is my first domestic vehicle ever to own, and honestly I've never actually had to do any of this stuff in the past. Sorry if it seems like I'm being overly cautious, it's just how I am when it comes to doing any type of auto modifications that I've never had experience with before. I do appreciate those pics, by the way!

 

Quick update, I found it!

I was looking on the left of the distributor while facing it, my stupid mistake. Ia ctually cleaned the contacts and the OEM sensor responded when I turned the key on, so I may just leave it be for now. The two I want to get working are the oil pressure and fuel, we'll see how that goes. Thanks again for being patient with me. I appreciate everyone's help!

 

Bah, sorry for the double post!