Easiest way to replace the oil pressure switch??

[rc1626]

Recently my oil pressure gauge in my 01 explorer started acting up. After looking through quite a few threads it seems that it's probably the sending unit. The vehicle has the 6 cylinder SOHC engine. I've found the switch, I've gotten the wire off and am wondering what would be the easiest way of getting a wrech in there to remove it. I believe it takes a 13/16 wrench which I have but the wrench is too long to be able to turn. If I could get my hands on a 13/16 shorty wrench I could probably get it out.
For those of you who have done this how did you do it????
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Rob

 

[rc1626]

Update:
Got the job done today. Took about a half an hour. I used an adjustable cresent wrench to get it turned. This was the only wrench short enough to get int the tight space. As noted in other posts the pressure switch is located at the front driver side of the motor down behind the a/c compressor.
I had to go in through the tire well which in my opinion is the only way to be able to get your hands in there to do the job (A 13/16 long socket may work here also if you have a few extensions. I didn't have a 13/16 long socket so I used the wrench.)

F.Y.I. - I got the new oil pressure switch from Autozone. The part# is PS407. It indicates on their computers that this is a pressure switch specifically for an idiot light. I don't know of any exlorers within these years that came with an idiot light and not a gauge. It looked the same as the one I took off so I went with it and it works perfectly. Only $8.00 too! I've seen them as high as $25.00. This may not be the of the best quality and may crap out on me tomorrow but just wanted to throw that out there. Hopefully it will last a while. Good luck to all those who have to attempt this job. Not as hard as it originally looked.

Rob

 

[James909]

Glad to hear that replacing the sender went smoothly. The reason that Autozone had the sender listed as one for an idiot light is because the oil pressure gauge in the Ex is simply a glorified idiot light. It's just an on and off switch. Over around 6psi and it reads normal, under that and it reads in the red. There is no middle ground. There is a a how-to on this site on making the gauge act like a real gauge if your interested. I've done this mod and it's pretty easy.

 

[rc1626]

Thanks James - Good information for people who are looking to do the job and would think this particular switch would not work being it says for light only. I would love to have the gauge function as a "real" gauge......I'll have to search for that thread.
Thanks again.
Rob