Guage Issue Please Help

[mroberts]

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport 4x4 and for about a year now when I start my truck the check engine light will come on and the oil gauge will remain down in the position it is when off. After a minute or so it will pop up to the middle and the check gauge light will go off. This does not usually happen in the summer but does happen on cold days. Also, one time as i was driving it would bounce from the low to the middle again and again until it stayed in the middle. Things seem t o run fine. I am clueless with this stuff and greatly appreciate any and all help you can give me. I am trying to learn little by little. What do you thin kis wrong? And what is a typical repair and diagnostic cost.
Thanks, Matt

 

[glfredrick]

I would first ask which weight oil you are running in your Ex. The new ones generally take a 5W oil - not the old 10W or thicker. Also - please don't tell me you are runing a Fram filter - they totally suck (cut one open if you don't believe me). Same for regular Pennzoil or Quaker State oils (do a search for oil and oil filters on this board - lots of posts).

Next - know that the guages on your Ex are not really guages - in that they don't really "move" with the oil pressure changes - but just record that there IS pressure by sitting in the middle of the dial. Ford really crapped out on that one - but that is what they do. Might as well be an idiot light.

Hope this sheds some light on your issues.

 

[TPLYNCH]

This has been a common issue. General fix is to clean the connection at the oil pressure sending unit, or replacing it. As long as you are not hearing any nasty noises while the gauge is on L, chances are oils pumping, just the sending unit is going bad.

 

[mroberts]

Thank you!!!

I appreicate the fast responses very much! I guess I will replace the sending unit although if its a dummy gauge like i have heard not sure its worth ti. Funny thing is, before they replaced my instrument cluster with the newer one (old one had black gauges with white lettering thsi one is other way around) it worked fine.
Thanks again!!!