Flaky Oil Pressure

[RumpRanger98]

1999 Ranger XLT 3.0L 5spd
I can't seem to locate info on the flaky oil pressure sender. For the last year or so my oil pressure gauge will read nothing and the indicator light will pop on. After a few minutes of the engine running the oil gauge will go up and down, and up and down, then it will go up to normal level and stay there.

Im guessing the oil pressure switch, or whatever it is, is bad. I want to replace it.

Is this apart of the cam synchro? Hopefully its like my other car and its easy to get to and replace. Is this an easy cheap, fix?

Thanks, I'll have to dig around and find my chilton book tomorrow.

 

[RumpRanger98]

Ok so upon further research...I see that there is an oil pressure sender, and an oil pressure switch....

What one am I looking at replacing? Im guessing the oil pressure sender?

The check gauge light comes on and off with the flickering of the oil gauge, so the switch should be fine right? And the sender is sending the wrong info, causing the flickering?

Thanks,

 

[Bryan22]

don't immediately assume the gauge is wrong. could be the notorious cam synchro on it's way out or an oil pump failing. But to answer your question the sender is what controls the gauge.

 

[RumpRanger98]

don't immediately assume the gauge is wrong. could be the notorious cam synchro on it's way out or an oil pump failing. But to answer your question the sender is what controls the gauge.

It's been doing this for almost a year now. Always is fine once its warmed up. I've read about other people having this same issue, it seems somewhat common for this year ranger?

I've wondered if its the cam synchro going out. I've never heard that squeaking noise or anything like that, but that doesn't mean it couldnt be going bad.

I figured replacing $10-15 sensor before the $100+ cam synchro would be better for my pockets. Hopefully its nice this weekend so I can try to get it replaced.

 

[hondaxr650]

Cam synchro has nothing to do with it. You probably have a bad sender/switch. Your book may call it a sender but it's really just a switch. Your gauge isn't really a gauge but an idiot light with a needle and it wil read in the same place if you have 10psi or 100psi. Anything over 7psi turns the gauge on to it's preset position. It wouldn't be a bad idea to test the oil pressure but I'd bet you're ok. If it was low enough to drop the gauge and turn the light on when starting it cold, it would probably get worse after it warmed up, not better.

BTW, just noticed you're in Tacoma too. Small world huh?