MY TRUCK HAS 35K MILES AND 4500 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. IN THE PAST I WOULD START MY ENGINE AND IN ABOUT 3 SECONDS THE GAGE WOULD GO TO THE LINE RIGHT OF 40LBS (PROBABLY 60LBS). AS THE OIL AND MOTOR WOULD HEAT UP THE GAGE WOULD COME DOWN TO ABOUT 40LBS. NOW IT SEEMS TO STAY UP TO THE FAR RIGHT LINE EVEN WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPS. WHILE ON THE FREEWAY IT WOULD DROP BACK TO 40 AND THEN GO BACK UP TO THE NEXT LINE TO THE RIGHT. WHAT GIVES?

THANKS,
DAVID H

 

the cooler ambient temp during the day might have something to do with it. Mine stays higher on the gauge for longer periods since it has started to cool down.

Mike

 

THANKS MIKE,
JUST WONDER AS I AM IN SO CAL AND I DON'T THINK IT IS REALLY GETTING THAT COLD YET.

SEMPER FI

 

This si true, but I think it is warmer in Spokane, WA during the day than in Oceanside CA.

 

I JUST DON'T RECALL THE GAGE ACTING LIKE THIS BEFORE. I WONDER HOW TO TELL IF THE SENDER UNIT IS GOING BAD?

DAVE

 

David,

The late 01 and all '02 trucks don't really have an oil pressure gauge, but more of a "dummy" gauge. It calculates oil pressure based on oil temp and engine rpm and then assigns the gauge a value from there. They are notoriously inaccurate and lead many into installing a true pressure gauge. I'd check it mechanically just to make sure (use the spare port on top of the filter).

John

 

I guess you could put a mechanical test gauge on it and see if it corresponds with the electric gauge. There is also probably volt readings from the sender that correspond with pressure readings. Not sure.

Mike