Oil Pressure Sensor Problem?
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Freshman User
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Oil Pressure Sensor Problem?
If have an 88 F150 2wd 4.9L straight engine. I recently bought this
truck cheap and have a few bugs to work out. I noticed the oil gauge
always read between 1/2 and 1/4, . I thought maybe it would be wise to start with the oil pressure senser and work up to finding why it does not read
more accurately. I replaced the sensor with one from Oreillys auto parts.
after I installed it and turned the key, the oil gauge said half until I turned
the engine over, then it will read past low mark. I switched the new sensor
back with the old one and it reads the same as before, between 1/2 and 1/4.
So what gives here? I called Oreillys and they said that sensor was workable
for that make and model of truck. They think maybe my oil pump is bad.
But there is no knocks or medal to medal noise at all. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance...
truck cheap and have a few bugs to work out. I noticed the oil gauge
always read between 1/2 and 1/4, . I thought maybe it would be wise to start with the oil pressure senser and work up to finding why it does not read
more accurately. I replaced the sensor with one from Oreillys auto parts.
after I installed it and turned the key, the oil gauge said half until I turned
the engine over, then it will read past low mark. I switched the new sensor
back with the old one and it reads the same as before, between 1/2 and 1/4.
So what gives here? I called Oreillys and they said that sensor was workable
for that make and model of truck. They think maybe my oil pump is bad.
But there is no knocks or medal to medal noise at all. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance...
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,666
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Not sure what you are talking about.
The oil gauge does not read 1/4 & 1/2.
It reads L (low) and a normal range to the H (hot) at the end of the scale.
The oil gauge does not read how much oil you have, only pressure.
The oil gauge does not read 1/4 & 1/2.
It reads L (low) and a normal range to the H (hot) at the end of the scale.
The oil gauge does not read how much oil you have, only pressure.
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Freshman User
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reply Oil Pressure Sensor Problem?
you are right, it does not say 1/4 to 1/2. That is not what I am saying, I
meant to say, Between the Low (L) and High (H) it reads 1/2 to 1/4
on the low end of the Gauge. In other words, it reads a little low but still
reads something compared to the new one I put it last night. Like I said,
I switched the sensors back to the original that was in their before, at least
that one reads.
meant to say, Between the Low (L) and High (H) it reads 1/2 to 1/4
on the low end of the Gauge. In other words, it reads a little low but still
reads something compared to the new one I put it last night. Like I said,
I switched the sensors back to the original that was in their before, at least
that one reads.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,394
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From: Des Plaines, Illinois
88 and up will always read somewhere near the middle of the gauge, as the needle itself is nothing more than a graphic idiot light.
If you have oil pressure over 6 psi, it will read near midrange...if you have less, it will fall off the scale on the L side.
If you want to know the real situation, grab a mechanical oil pressure gauge and use it instead.
If you have oil pressure over 6 psi, it will read near midrange...if you have less, it will fall off the scale on the L side.
If you want to know the real situation, grab a mechanical oil pressure gauge and use it instead.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,666
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
The engine may be getting a little loose and may drop even a little more when the engine is warm.
If you do not trust the stock gauge you can always screw a hand held gauge into the engine and check it.
If it is low you may be able to get by taking it out and putting in new bearings in the bottom end if it has good compression.
If you do not trust the stock gauge you can always screw a hand held gauge into the engine and check it.
If it is low you may be able to get by taking it out and putting in new bearings in the bottom end if it has good compression.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
The only way you'll truly know the oil pressure is with a mechanical or possibly an aftermarket electric gauge. The pressure gauges in these trucks should read low when the engine is off. If it reads above that and then drops when the engine is cranked, there's a wiring problem or something wrong with the gauge itself.
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Junior User
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From: st.thomas
stock pressure gauge is only a indicater, tells yu have oil pressure,, l had a 88 6cyl. that never went above 1/4 or L l now have a 92 302 and its the same,,l learned not to worry about it as long as it moved and no noises under hood...
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Elyria, Ohio
I have stock gauge on 95 302. And it reads mid scale always. The sensor must have a ground to engine; don't use sealer or teflon tape. I also have Sunpro gauge and the response and readings are dynamic with startup and as engine gets warm and during acceleration. Ditto on the real gauge over the stock.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,666
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From: Easton,Ks
By the way a switch does not operate the oil pressure gauge on an 88 f-150.
It has a verbal sending unit that feeds the oil pressure gauge with no resister in line with the wire.
The system that is being talked about in this thread came later.
It has a verbal sending unit that feeds the oil pressure gauge with no resister in line with the wire.
The system that is being talked about in this thread came later.