Today on my way home from work my oil pressure gauge started going all the way to zero, it would stay there for a second and go back to full. When it was at zero the check guages light would come on. Is this just the gauge or something electrical or could it be the oil pump? This is freaking me out because I don't want to hurt the engine any.

my truck is a 98 12 valve by the way.

All help is greatly appreciated!

 

off course check your oil level, hook up a mechanical guage for a cross reff so you know whats goung on.
the later ones had a service bullitan reflash, but I dont think that includes yours.
and if you did have a newer one do not do the reflash ,,replace the sending unit from cummins.....which is probly your problem too

 

Try checking your oil pressure sending unit. I have a 24v and had the same problem. Go to a cummins dealer, NOT the Dodge __ealer, unless you like to pay a 300% mark up on the price. I added a mechanical oil psi gauge to my gauge pod, along with replacing the sending unit. I am not sure if the 12v and 24 v use the same sending unit, but you can do a search on this web site for the part #.

 

Common problem on '98's. Nothing to worry about.

TSB: http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1999/08-22-99.htm

 

So based on that TSB can I just swap out the oil sending unit sensor thing and be fine?

 

Also, can anyone show me a picture where the sending unit would go? I am driving 50 miles in the morning to pick up the part and install it.

Thanks for the help guys, hope this works!

 

By the power steering pump, you will also need an extra deep socket, think it's 1-1/4'', buy a sender socket from the auto parts.

 

Guys, THANK YOU for your help. That picture helped me a bunch! I found it no problem, got it out after getting a sending socket (again thank you infidel) but the cummins shop gave me the wrong part, at least it looks a lot different. I am going to the dodge dealer to get the right one. The cummins dealer only charged $8. The dodge dealer is $35.

Does anyone know if the one from cummins will work? It has only one wire connector instead of two, but the plug is the same?

 

I bet the Cummins one will work, one wire is ground. Just ask to see the one at the Dodge dealer first and go from there. $8 seems too cheap.

 

the sender you got from Cummins will require a reflash of the ECM , and you will have to connect that wire also , it is a update kit from Cummins , your oil press. will read 55 psi all the time. if you can get a replacement from Dodge , get it .

 

No ECM on a 12 valve

 

LOL good point

 

I got the new part put in, but didn't run my turck long enough to notiice how much it sticks at 55psi or whatever... Does the one I got from dodge require a reflash? I have a 98 12 VALVE and really DO NOT want a flash....

 

No , if you have a 12 valve, that is a mechanical engine , the 24 valve engine is the electronic engine and requires a reflash.

 

for every one donot reflash for this as you will have a idiot guge after !! and cummins dose sell the right part the book says it is not right....b.t.d.t.