I have a 03 Dodge 5.9 Cummins 3500 with about 60,000 miles on it, today I had my oil changed at the dealership and now my oil pressure is out of whack.

When the truck is started and it idles the needle will go up to about 65-70 until it warms up and then it comes back down to about 30 or 35. When driving the truck the oil pressure will fluctuate up and down when you accelerate and stop. When accelerating the pressure will get up to about 80 or so before the oil gets hot. When it gets hot it drops down to 55 or 60 and when stopping and idling it will come back down to about 30 or 35

It was never this high prior to today at either at idle or at normal temp. What would you recommend?

 

That's interesting, considering that the oil pressure gauge isn't really reading pressure and transmitting it to the gauge. The gauge is controlled via the computer to provide "comfortable" readings to the driver based on various engine parameters. If the sensor reads <5psi, then it kicks in the CEL and drops the dash gauge to 0 to warn the driver.

Seems odd that you would see a different behavior in the gauge after all this time, unless the dealer gave you a reflash while you were there.

 

Are you reading this from an aftermarket guage or the stock guage?

 

Replace the oil pressure sending unit. the oil change probably goofed it up. It's cheap enough to do.

 

There is also a bulletin for an ECM flash regarding this problem...TSB 18-022-06

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2006/18-022-06.htm

 

the flash only makes the gauge read 30 psi all the time, that is nothing better than an idiot light. if the dealer didnt fill the oil filter during the change, there may be air in the sending unit, and since air compressable, and fluid isnt, you may get a wild reading. change the sender, or gently try bleeding it.

 

Thanks guys, I took it to the dealer this morning and they said that it is indeed the sending unit if they know what they are doing. I was going to have it changed out but the closest one in stock is in Atlanta and would be Tuesday before they could get it down here. (Tallahassee) Go figure

Anyway, I have plans to pull my heavy fifth wheel to Tennessee for Christmas leaving in the morning.

My next question is, would you chance it or would you cancel your trip. We have looked forward to this trip for a long time.

Again, thanks for all the help!

 

Don't be scared....its a CTD!!!!!!

 

Go for it, these gauges are just ballpark accurate, and don't seem to constant.

 

Thanks for the help here

 

when driving mine will go up alittle past 1/2 way while accelerating. then when i let off, or come to a stop it come back down to about 1/4 way...is this normal or do i have the same problem???

 

Huh? Pressure is pressure. Water, air, paint, milk, oil, helium, whatever. What does a compressable medium have to do with it? Once the oil pump is pumping oil, a bubble at the sender will read the same as oil at the sender.

Wetspirit

 

What is it when you first start it up

 

What is it when you first start it up

probally 1/4 or alittle higher...

 

Like someone else said, you probably got a reflash. If I remember correct there are 2 voltage readings for the oil pressure gauge. Sounds like yours is working like it should after the reflash. Will be interesting to see if there is still a high pressure reading and a low pressure reading after they install a new sending unit.