Oil gauge jumping

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 20, 2007 | 05:43 PM

SpeedRebel09

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 254

Likes: 0

From: Coats, North Carolina

Oil gauge jumping

Another problem on the truck, small stuff mainly...... I hope.

My oil gauge at idle and in gear is really jumpy, but when I'm driving, or in park or neutral it's fine.....Any suggestions? Maybe faulty gauge?

Nov 20, 2007 | 05:48 PM

TheRoadVirus

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 841

Likes: 0

From: Orangeville, Ontario

Stock gauge? The stock gauges are notorious for being garbage.. if you really want to watch your pressure accurately you'll need an aftermarket mechanical gauge.. (autometer yay).

Nov 20, 2007 | 05:51 PM

Virto

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,394

Likes: 0

From: Des Plaines, Illinois

Does it just bounce around the normal range or does it drop off the low side of things?

If it drops to low at idle when say stopped at a light, you may have an issue and should get the pressure tested with a mechanical gauge to be sure. I test drove a 93 with a 351 (identical to my 93, aside from mine has the 302) and after it was warm the gauge would drop off the low side at a light. Sure enough, low pressure. Probably just a clogged pickup screen, but it sounded like it had been starved for a while.

If the gauge doesn't drop off the low side, you have either a crapped out gauge or a bad wiring connection. Check the wires at the sender and see if they're corroded or otherwise damaged. These pressure gauges are known for being "iffy" at best.

Nov 20, 2007 | 07:03 PM

TheRoadVirus

Elder User

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 841

Likes: 0

From: Orangeville, Ontario

I wouldn't worry too much til' you get a mech gauge. Mine was reading off the scale on low and it was scary, but it was meaningless once I got a mech gauge.