My Oil Pressure Is high 1993 Ranger XLT SC 4x4

[Angry Possum]

My oil pressure gauge reads higher than normal. Not that I look much at the oil gauge when I'm driving, but it looks high, over 3/4 or more. I just checked the dipstick and the level was fine. When I checked it, it didn't smell like it was burned or didn't feel that hot. The oil was changed about 1500 miles or so ago and I do regular oil changes. I just got home from a 25 mile highway drive. The Temps here in the east coast is currently 50, so it's not hot out. 1993 Ranger XLT SC. 139k miles. Anybody else have this issue? And or what can it be. Is there a pressure test I can do maybe? Thanks...

 

[Uncle Gump]

The factory set up is not a real gauge. It runs off a switch.

Have you put a mechanics gauge on it?

I always add a real set of gauges... cause I just like to know.

 

[Angry Possum]

The factory set up is not a real gauge. It runs off a switch.

Have you put a mechanics gauge on it?

I always add a real set of gauges... cause I just like to know.

I can't do it now it's dark out. Where do you put the gauge etc and can you give more details and or be more specific?. I'll do it tomorrow, thanks.

 

[Angry Possum]

@Uncle Gump I just found a few oil sending unit videos for a Ranger on YouTube for DIY. Interesting. Looks like I'm gonna need a special socket to remove that sending unit.

 

[racsan]

I always just used channellocks. But it might not be easy t get at, been awhile since I had a 4.0, dont recall where the sender is but I do remember theres not much room, I always pulled the hood off to do anything. Gave me better lighting to see as well as more room.

 

[Angry Possum]

I'm going to start it cold and see where the needle goes first. It could be a bad gauge or oil sending unit.

 

[19Walt93]

You get points for looking at your gauges but, as someone said, it's not really a gauge. In the late 80's when Ford switched from bi metal gauges to magnetic ones, the oil pressure sender became an on/off switch. If the sender sees minimal pressure, it closes and the gauge goes to somewhere above half scale. If it reads high or low it means just about nothing- other than a potential failure of the (fake) gauge itself.

 

[Angry Possum]

I just started my engine cold. And it went way passed 3/4 high pressure or more instantaneously. So I'm thinking the gauge is shot. Oil was perfect, a little low in fact.

 

[rubydist]

The oil level has literally nothing to do with the oil pressure, unless there is no oil in the pan which causes zero oil pressure.

As the boys have stated above, the "gauge" on the instrument panel is simply telling you that yes, there is some oil pressure, nothing about what that pressure actually is.

 

[Angry Possum]

Its fixed, the ground wire came off the starter. Which caused my gauges to act erratically. A costly expense. Bought a new starter for $140 and my mechanic friend charged me $70. The old starter was fine, but the wire was off and he didn't see it.