i have about 97kmi on my '97 and ive noticed that my oil pressure never really moves from 40psi. if im idling, its about a needles width below 40 and, when i moving ,its about 40. when i first start it up in the morning(its cold out now), it takes about 10 seconds for my gauge to read pressure and my red oil light to go out. the oil that i always run in it is 15w40 rotella and the filter i always use is fleetgaurd(strata-pore?). i noticed yesterday when i was backing up a steep grade out of a creek area my oil pressure went to 0 and my red light came on. i was in 4-low , reverse and at idle but my rpms were not low-they were about normal idle speed. is this just a screwy sending unit , or might it be a weak pump?

 

I would put my money on the sending unit is going bad or is already bad, or might be a lose/bad connection. That is where I would start, goodluck and let us know. Rick

 

My bet is the sender also. Cheap way to check is to connect a simple water pressure gauge to the unused port on top of the oil filter housing and compare the readings. The readings on the test gauge may be a little higher but not much.

 

The sad fact of the matter is your factory oil gage does nothing. It's reading is for peace of mind only, it is not a reading of oil pressure. I know it might come as a shock, but it is the truth. Dodge does this on all of there vehicles, the gages are made to always read in the normal zone. I would go so far as to say they are not gages at all, just frivolous dials. My wifes Dodge got so hot the head cracked and all the water was released, still the gage never read anything but normal. It is a hoax's, a charade, and borders on criminal deceit. Call it what you want, it's just plain old fashion lying.

 

y-not correct me if I'm wrong but I always thought that idiot gauge acting oil pressure gauges were only on 24 valves that had a reflash to "correct" a problem.
My '95 seems to read all though the range depending on temps and rpms, not an all or none like the reflash does.

 

thanks for the quick responses guys!! i'll get on checkin or replacing that sending unit asap!! and as soon as i get it done, ill let everyone know how it turned out!!

 

I am experiencing the same problem in my '01. Does anybody know what value resistor is needed to 'fool' the computer into thinking the sending unit is working? I have alredy ordered a mechanical gauge, and another gauge mount for my pillar. Giving me 4 gauges in the pillar.

 

Autozone is supposed to sell gauges for around 7 bucks...

 

You know I never trusted Dodge to monitor anything, especially after my wife had a melt down with one of their products. I installed a oil pressure and temperature gage to keep track of it myself. The oil pressure shown isn't a reflection of the actual engine oil pressure, the factory gage (?) is just pointing to a pre-determined setting and it's swing is also pre-determined. The Cummins was Luckily made by a much better company and has a very healthy oil pressure, it easily idles at 75 psi when cold and runs at well above the stock gages reading. I have all the faith in the world with my Cummins, but at the same time I like to know whats happening.