I have a 2001 dodge w/24valve cummins with 58,600 miles and the oil presure gage hase dropped to Zero twice but recovers quickly. I clanged the oil and filter last week. Yesterday It did it again, dropped to zero and the recovered and dropped to zero again and stayed. Pulled over and shut engine off for 3-4 min. restarted and oil presured stayed at about 65 lbs for 30 miles. Today the presure stayed at 40. The local Dodge dealer wants $98 to check it out Monday morning. Could it be the sensor or something simple?
Thanks for any advice
Oldman 55

 

I'd check the sending unit. If it were an actual oil pump failure, it would not be intermittent, it would fail and not work any more.

 

I think the sensor is less than your dealer wants to "check" it. the oil gauge is not known to be that good, do a search on this site, I'm sure you will find lots of posts about low/hi pressure readings
Mine goes to high even with the key on engine off, cummins wants 80-90$ for the sensor and I'm not interested in buying one at that price!

 

Oil pressure sending unit seems to be a common failure item. Get one from cummins, alot cheaper than dealer.

 

Yep, replace the oil pressure switch. Not a sensor. I'm not so sure could not use a plain cheap switch and rewire connector to match. If mine fails will be more intrested in reengineering the beast. The computer determines pressure shown on dash. Switch just tells if pressure exist