Oil pressure issues??
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Washington
Oil pressure issues??
Hey guys,
I've got a buddy with a 1997 Expidition 4x4, with a 4.6l engine, auto tranny, at about 110,000 miles. Recently his oil pressure gage has been acting a bit goofy; at random times it will drop to zero, the oil pressure light will come on, and then it will begin reading again. He says that the longest it has stayed at zero is about 5 seconds, and its more prone to happen during acceleration and during uphill travel.
I tend to think it's electrical in nature, as it doesn't seem probable that the oil pump itself would quit running and restart again later (it is mechanically driven, isn't it?)
Where exactly is the sending unit? I followed the lines back from the oil filter, and found two electrical connectors there, and they appeared to be intact, connected, and undamaged.
Any ideas on what could be causing this?
Thanks in advance for the help,
Steve
I've got a buddy with a 1997 Expidition 4x4, with a 4.6l engine, auto tranny, at about 110,000 miles. Recently his oil pressure gage has been acting a bit goofy; at random times it will drop to zero, the oil pressure light will come on, and then it will begin reading again. He says that the longest it has stayed at zero is about 5 seconds, and its more prone to happen during acceleration and during uphill travel.
I tend to think it's electrical in nature, as it doesn't seem probable that the oil pump itself would quit running and restart again later (it is mechanically driven, isn't it?)
Where exactly is the sending unit? I followed the lines back from the oil filter, and found two electrical connectors there, and they appeared to be intact, connected, and undamaged.
Any ideas on what could be causing this?
Thanks in advance for the help,
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,760
Likes: 1,079
From: St Louis
I'd plan on replacing the sending switch.
The switch screws into the oil filter adapter housing which is different for 2- or 4WD vehicles. All you have to do is identify the housing (the oil filter is screwed onto it - duh!) and follow its length until you find where the switch screws in.
Steve
The switch screws into the oil filter adapter housing which is different for 2- or 4WD vehicles. All you have to do is identify the housing (the oil filter is screwed onto it - duh!) and follow its length until you find where the switch screws in.
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth, TX
Take out the sending unit and install a temporary pressure gage (0- 100 psi) and get a Real Time oil pressure reading. The electric gage will tell you that there is SOME oil pressure but not how much.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
From: Eastern Washington
Thanks for the responses, guys.
Yep, the oil level is in range! That was the first thing I checked, and should have included it in the list of symptoms. Good catch.
So, I guess we can localize this issue to the sending unit itself. I think I found it, followed the lines from the filter back to the block and found two electrical connections. They appear to be making good contact, no frays, no melted insulation. There sure isn't a lot of room to work with in there...
Thanks again for the help, fellas.
Steve
Yep, the oil level is in range! That was the first thing I checked, and should have included it in the list of symptoms. Good catch.
So, I guess we can localize this issue to the sending unit itself. I think I found it, followed the lines from the filter back to the block and found two electrical connections. They appear to be making good contact, no frays, no melted insulation. There sure isn't a lot of room to work with in there...
Thanks again for the help, fellas.
Steve
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, va
Replace the sending unit
I replaced the sending unit on my 00 gator when it started dropping to 0. Seamed to do it only when the engine was cold and only for a few seconds. Works great now.
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