Problem with occasional "Check Gage" and no Oil Pressure

[mvanbogart]

I have a '00 SOHC 4 door.

Twice in the past week I have gone in and started it only to find the "Check Gage" light is on and the Oil Pressure is at ZERO. First time it freaked me out. I let it sit for a minute while I checked all the wires. Got back in and it did the same thing.

Just tonight the wife called from work and said it did the same thing.

I searched the threads and did not find a solution to this particular problem. Anyone have this before? Where is the sending unit anyway?

Thanks!

 

[swak6287]

same here

i have the same problem. i have a 99 xlt. anyone got any clue? i am thinking it might just be a dirty sensor. wild guess. this only ocurs in the cold. when the weather gers up to aboce 65, no problem.

 

[Jefe]

Does the oil pressure finally come up after 30 seconds or so? Or does it stay at zero?

 

[DocVijay]

Mine does the same thing. It really only happens when it's cold outside. After a few seconds of idling (30-45) the pressure jumps up to normal. I just let the X warm up a bit before. I also have an oil cooler, so the oil there will be cooler and take a bit longer to warm up. I don't think it's a big deal. Just let it idle till the pressure goes up.

 

[98BlackXSport]

My oil pressure gauge was going nuts. I crawled under to clean the connection to the "sensor"? and found that the wire wasn't on all the way. I just push it back on and it worked. Just to be sure, I cleaned it with electrical connection cleaner.

 

[mvanbogart]

Thanks for the responses. When I saw no pressure I freaked and turned off the car within 5 seconds.

So where exactly is the sensor? On the aluminum mount under the alternator-ish?

swak6287, DocVijay, 98BlackXSport -

Does your "Check Gage" light appear then go away when it hits oil pressure?

Thanks for you help. This forum rocks!

 

[98BlackXSport]

all i know is that I got at the sensor from underneath the front, slighty to the driver's side. Pick up a Haynes repair guide. I will try to look at mine as soon as I can and let you know where it is.

 

[98BlackXSport]

oh ya, the check guage light would come on and off too

 

[DocVijay]

Originally posted by mvanbogart
swak6287, DocVijay, 98BlackXSport -

Does your "Check Gage" light appear then go away when it hits oil pressure?

Yep as soon as the pressure goes to normal, the "Check Gauge" light goes off.

Actually just because of this, I bought an Autometer oil pressure gauge that I'm going to mount next week. That way I'll have a real number to look at rather than just low/middle.

 

[TPLYNCH]

here are the results of the search i ran. This has become more common lately. I think either Gerald or Ray had this problem about 18 months ago.... http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...d=276756&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

 

[mbryda]

Had the same problem while the truck was under warranty. Dealer replaced the oil sending unit. Would only show no pressure for the first couple seconds (30 or so) when it was cold outside.

Hope that helps!

 

[swak6287]

So, is it save to assume that the engine is running properly. just the sensor is not good?

 

[Nate1]

Having the same problem. typically cold weather induced after sitting overnight. at first i thought it was because all the oil drained down into pan, but due to the jerky nature and occasional flicker of the needle, i assume it is a sensor short or simply a faulty sensor.