Jumpy oil pressure gauge

[Ron Sebastian]

Every once in a while the gauge will start bouncing around like it's an electrical thing. Most times it's steady and rock solid, then it will start getting jitters. Both under power and at idle. Is this a sign of a bad sending unit. Other than that all is well and the engine performance is solid, oil topped up. Will AT205 leak stopper create a problem in the sending unit? They say it wont, but could this cause a jumpy gauge? It's the only thing I can think of, all connections are good.

 

[82sbshortbed]

Air in the tube?

 

[fast 99]

Most likely a bad sender. To diagnose correctly [not shot gunning it] checking with a mechanical gauge would be justified.

 

[Challis350]

A quick google search would suggest that these oil pressure gauges are unreliable.

Mine randomly goes from 0 to a normal pressure reading, back to zero and so forth.

 

[Ron Sebastian]

It works properly, just gets jumpy sometimes. Going to change the oil and see if the gauge still acts funny. I'll do the ground test on it. If it keeps it up I'll just swap out the sender.

 

[Matt69olds]

If the wiring is intact, most likely it’s the sending unit.

 

[KnuckleBuster]

The sender on these trucks was prone to failure. I'm not much on throwing parts at a problem, but it's a pretty safe bet. Also, make sure the plug wires aren't routed to close to the sender wiring. Good lock!

 

[squaredeal91]

Mine has off and on given odd reading at different times because the spade connector not being tight on the terminal of the sender and it's wiggling. Should be a snug fit on the terminal.

 

[Chags]

It’s a 40 year old truck

 

[WebMonkey]

mine has gotten jumpy from time to time at higher revolutions.

flutters from 30psi to 60psi rather than 30 to 0 (low)

when i 'mess' with the wire at the sender, it usually goes away for a couple months.


the wire does find it's way near the plug wires/distributor.

good luck!

'monkey

 

[AceHanlon]

Mine would do that sometimes as well until I replaced the sensor. Reads better and doesn't jump around. I suppose it could also be the gauge itself given the age of the truck.