I have read that the oil pressure guage in 3rd gens is a lot like an idiot light. If the oil pressure is above a certain level the guage shows normal pressure, if the pressure falls below that threshold, the check guaes light goes off. Is this true? When my truck is cold my guage shows higher pressure than worm, natural and when the truck idles the pressure is lower than at 65mph. Does anyone know whether the oil pressure guage is representnative of the actual oil pressure or would it be better to install 'another' oil pressure guage? Thanks in advance.

 

The way I understand it the ECM analyzes the temp, RPMs and other variable and shows a reading that the customer "would expect to see", as long as the sender shows any pressure.

Someone should sue over this, when you buy the gauge package your are buying something to measure oil pressure. Which you do not get.

Seems like it would be easier to put in an oil pressure guage.

I wonder if mercedes benz does this?

 

I know in my long term plans, in addition to my regular FP, boost and EGT gauges, Im going to add oil press, trans temp (6 spd) and probably diff temp.. I wouldnt trust that oil gauge from the factory to be accurate.
Scott

 

redneck1,

Unfortunately you are correct. I will say that whoever came up with the software to simulate the "customers expected guage response" did a fine job. But at the end of the day you ARE looking at an idiot light. It is my understanding that Ford does the same thing.

 

This is why I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge. I see a big difference in the oil pressure.

 

Thanks for all your responses.

I would have though it be easier for DC to put a real guage there rather than pay some IT people to come up with a simulation software to turn an idiot light to a guage. Kissing through glass is what I call that.

Onthe same note I have a VDO oil pressure guage, but no sending unit. Does any have a sending unit they could sell me or know of a place were I could buy one.

 

how many wire sending unit is it? [1, 2 or 3?] as long as the resistance of the sending unit is what the gauge needs, any sending unit can be made to work with it..

 

Ford does do something similar, but they didnt take it as far. Their gauge doesnt fluctuate any. It comes up when the sender sees like 6psi and stay where it came up to no matter what the condidtions. My gauge in my 05 dodge works just like a real gauge. pressures fluctuate according to rpm and temps. Man that computer programer was good when he came up with that idea. If you didnt know, you would swear it was real.

 

The reason for this is that, unfortunately, you will always get someone petty who buys a new truck and then raises heck because his brother's neighbor has the same truck and HIS oil pressure gauge sits a needle-width higher at idle. Seems a lot of consumers have brought this on themselves.