Oil pressure gauge flickering

[SmurfBlu97]

Hi all, I have a ‘97 4x4 with a mountaineer 5.0 swapped in. Truck was originally a 3.0, today while driving the oil pressure gauge needle started jumping back and forth while doing about 55. Does it at all speeds and at idle it drops to low. I read some threads on guys with 3.0’s having this issue being related to a cam shaft sensor. Is this still true with 5.0’s? Oil level is good, just changed it with 5 quarts a couple weeks ago, havent been off road or anything. Not hearing any tick, or any other weird noises. I appreciate any info, thanks!

 

[Dirtman]

Its not a pressure sensor, its a switch. On/off. Its hooked to a guage to make you feel happy. On is halfway up the gauge.

Replace the switch/sensor.

 

[Curious Hound]

What he ^^^ said, plus, check for a loose electrical connection.

 

[SmurfBlu97]

Its not a pressure sensor, its a switch. On/off. Its hooked to a guage to make you feel happy. On is halfway up the gauge.

Replace the switch/sensor.

This did the trick, thanks!

 

[Xyke]

Hi all, I have a ‘97 4x4 with a mountaineer 5.0 swapped in. Truck was originally a 3.0, today while driving the oil pressure gauge needle started jumping back and forth while doing about 55. Does it at all speeds and at idle it drops to low. I read some threads on guys with 3.0’s having this issue being related to a cam shaft sensor. Is this still true with 5.0’s? Oil level is good, just changed it with 5 quarts a couple weeks ago, havent been off road or anything. Not hearing any tick, or any other weird noises. I appreciate any info, thanks!

Hey there,
I had this same problem on a '01, 2.5L Ranger. Oil pressure gauge was fluttering like crazy, sometimes needle sat close to the 'L' mark. People where telling it was everything from a vacuum leak to a bad oil pump. I changed out the oil pressure switch. Bought it from RockAuto. No help, same problem. Then I read somewhere that there is an Oil pressure switch for a light on the dashboard and another oil pressure switch for mechanical gauge. So not being absolutely sure which one I had, I ordered a Motorcraft oil pressure switch for mechanical gauge (from RockAuto) about $25 bucks. Did the trick. Gauge is reading like it should.