Part came off rusty pipe underneath my 4.0 OHV 96 Ranger

[kturnerga]

I was changing my oil and saw a part dangling. The plastic sheath you see in the picture broke and there was a rusty pipe coming off the bottom passenger side of the 4.0 OHV. What the heck does it do? It must be some sort of sensor.

Sorry if the pic doesn't show; I don't get to the forum that much.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/74654914@N00/33266677890/in/dateposted-public/

 

[RangerX]

Looking at your pic, I can't get my bearings as to what angle I'm looking at the truck, but if you're talking about that round white piece, have you followed it to see what it connects to? I can't identify it, sorry.

 

[kturnerga]

I rotated the picture counterclockwise and made comments

https://www.flickr.com/photos/74654914@N00/33523487601/in/dateposted-public/.

There is a rusty pipe coming off the bottom left side of the engine. Atop it there is a spring. It appears there is a spring loaded contact for something. I'll check for where the wire leads. It seems it is a two-wire lead.

 

[Josh P]

Does the oil pressure gauge work if it has one?

 

[kturnerga]

I took another look. There's a spring inside and it looks smaller than I though it did. It's the oil pressure sensor switch, right or wrong? I took a zip-tie to put it back on but I don't think it did any good. The oil pressure (flat teapot picture on gauge) is showing low even if running for slightly less than a minute. Though I like to listen to the engine talk to me first I do want to get a replacement. Also there is a lot of surface rust on the EGR valve; should it be replaced as well?

 

[Josh P]

I believe that is the oil pressure switch.

 

[kturnerga]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/74654914@N00/33633340136/in/dateposted-public/ is a better picture. This is viewed from the driver's underside of the engine. Why I thought it was the passenger's side I don't know. I guess working in a healthcare facility (pt right vs left) did it to me. Is it the oil pressure switch or sending switch? Will it help other than triggering my dead gauge?