I need to know, am I in trouble or can I let it slide? My oil pressure indicator in the dash does not kick up until the truck is warm. If it is warm weather or I just drove it in the past couple hours (when the oil is still warm I guess). It kicks up and stays up fine. I figured this might not hurt too much since I don't hear any noises or knocks from it and as long as I keep the level good, it should slosh around for a few minutes until the pump kicks in (if it's the pump at all) and can take care of it for the rest of the trip. Here's a link to a video of a typical drive.


If it's anything like I've seen in other motors, this will be a B*tch to fix with a capitol "B" and might not even be worth messing with. Is the gauge or sensor going south a common problem? Thoughts?

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'99 XLT Auto
Extended Cab
3.0 V6 RWD

Hmm.. I don't know? I believe the way the oil pressure gauge works is that it's not really a pressure gauge. If the pressure is below a certain point, it just reads dead. If it's above a certain pressure, it reads right in the middle.

If it's not knocking or making any noises..Hopefully it's just your gauge, since obviously changing the oil pump would be a huge pain.

When was the last time you changed the oil? Maybe it's just really old and sludgy and has to be thinned out(warmed up) before it can register on the gauge.

Motors usually have more pressure when cold, and then less when warmed up at slow speeds. And yours is working when it warms up, and not when it's cold.

I'd probably just keep driving it. Make sure your oil is fresh and full. If you ever hear any knocking or extra engine noise, then you know you got a problem.

my '01 4.0 does the same thing. I will be installing a mechanical gauge here shortly, that will tell the story

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Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
VIDEO OHC Install

its probably the sending unit that signals the gauge on the dash, they are known to stick, especially in the cold. its pretty common and my 01 does the same thing sometimes. you engine would have told you by now if it wasnt getting oil by seizing. lol

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My 01 won't work, still its warmed up.

It's been like that forever.

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2001 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 V6 Automatic.
1995 Acura Integra LS
PNW Crew!
http://www.facebook.com/aaron.ariens

sending unit

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1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow

Quote:

Every Saint has a past. Every Sinner has a future.

Quote:

it's a ford ranger not a Ferrari?!?

Quote:

Originally Posted by edgeman4.0 If it's got tits or tires, it's going to give you problems..

That's the conclusion I have come to. I changed the oil about a month back and I don't even have 1000 miles on the oil. It looks like the sending unit has been an issue in the past with others so that may be my issue.

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let me know how that goes, i'm curious.

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'99 XLT Auto
Extended Cab
3.0 V6 RWD

Hey pooleo where in the firewall you going to run the tubing? I plumbed a 1/4"x2" nipple and tee in the motor then installed new OPSwitch same angle straight out, and hooked it up. OEM gauge works fine. Tee is pointed to the side though and may kink tubing so I got an ell.

I run it thru were the plug is for the clutch. I think on auto's the shifter cable runs thru it. Just to the left of the brake pedal. I just unplugged the stock gauge on plow rig and ran the new gauge into it. Then I just ground the factory wire so the gauge would show normal.

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Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
VIDEO OHC Install

You faked the wire like the switch was closed? K. I was going to bolt a gauge above the passenger airbag lock. I wear 15s and didn't want to kick tubing. You think a better gauge than $17 sunpro would be better?

My old '00 had the same problem. It also liked to flicker as well. Common problem.

I like the idea of an actual mechanical gauge.

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Shaun
2003 Ford Ranger Edge
#1 T-Bars, AAL, Pioneer Sound, Stock Everything Else.

Thnx 'zilla. I'm going for it!!!

Just finished PSI oil gauge install. If it is accurate the needle was about 11 PSI at idle and operating temp. The pictures show OEM and PSI pressure at fast idle, cold and the plumbing. Couldn't help it, I work on Nat gas regs.

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Yea, sending unit. My guage used to flicker randomly. 3 Am going black friday shopping my shit started to drop the needle to the bottom any time i came to idle. I was tripping. I pulled over to figure out what to do and after 15 min of sitting i turned the truck on and it was fine!!!! wtf haha so reppace that.. like $20

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2002 Ranger XLT 3.0
General Grabber AT2 31/10.5/15, 15x7 ATX Slot, Hot girlfriend for passenger seat, Fabtech 2.5", Bilstein 5100, Poly Bumps, JBA Ceramic Coated Headers, Straigh pipe, Throttle Cable Mod, Air Box Mod, 5 Angle Valve Job, 180* Thermostat, Clear corners w/ Amber LEDs, Tinted Tails, 6000K Volt Digital HID Hi/Lo, K&N Drop-In, MAF Mod,