Oil Pressure Sender

[Ricker]

The dashboard oil pressure gauge has always read 80 psi when the engine is more than idling. At idle, it may drop to 60 psi. Now the gauge is jumping all over the place. From pegged above 80 psi to 40 psi. Any ideas? Is the sender bad? The oil is about 1,000 miles old and still looks clean. Oil level is good. Replace the oil filter? Wiring? Engine plugged somewhere. Oil pump going bad? It is always something with these cars.

[dn010]

I would suspect an electrical issue before thinking the sender is bad. Clean up the connector to it, make sure you have no cracks in the wiring, and check the sh!tty bulkhead connector!

[Timeless]

I would suspect an electrical issue before thinking the sender is bad. Clean up the connector to it, make sure you have no cracks in the wiring, and check the sh!tty bulkhead connector!

One of the first things on my delivery list when I got my car was to remove all Lucas connectors and clean with contact cleaner and dielectric where applicable.

[dn010]

One of the first things on my delivery list when I got my car was to remove all Lucas connectors and clean with contact cleaner and dielectric where applicable.

I changed 99% of my connectors to weatherpak. It was a great day when I cut off all those bulkhead connectors - I had nothing but problems with those.

[Rich]

I would suspect an electrical issue before thinking the sender is bad. Clean up the connector to it, make sure you have no cracks in the wiring, and check the sh!tty bulkhead connector!

Yes, this is where to start.

Also please refer to the Oil Pressure Gauge and Light section in this Classic DMC Knowledgebase article for what to expect.

[82DMC12]

The dashboard oil pressure gauge has always read 80 psi when the engine is more than idling. At idle, it may drop to 60 psi. Now the gauge is jumping all over the place. From pegged above 80 psi to 40 psi. Any ideas? Is the sender bad? The oil is about 1,000 miles old and still looks clean. Oil level is good. Replace the oil filter? Wiring? Engine plugged somewhere. Oil pump going bad? It is always something with these cars.

Common problem since the original sender was not compatible with the gauge reference in the dash. Replace the sender with a PS133 or SB 3432 (carquest made in mexico version is good quality) and it will work correctly which is to say it will 80 PSI at cold or open throttle, then drop to maybe 35 psi when hot at idle.

[Ricker]

Common problem since the original sender was not compatible with the gauge reference in the dash. Replace the sender with a PS133 or SB 3432 (carquest made in mexico version is good quality) and it will work correctly which is to say it will 80 PSI at cold or open throttle, then drop to maybe 35 psi when hot at idle.

I'll look into that replacement. Meanwhile, I found that the wire was melted to the engine. Fixed it and placed the wire in an insulted sleeve. All is well now.