Oil gauge fluctuation...

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Randy Pavatte - 12 Jun 2006 12:25 GMT

I have a 96 XLT with 4.0 and auto trans.
Mileage is approaching 162,000. Since about 2 weeks ago I noticed my oil
level gauge will "flash" momentarily to bottom red, then return to the
middle position.
This seems to occur when its cold, and if I take sharp turns.
Since it always returns to the normal position I suspect the gauge, but
can anyone suggest possible causes?
I'm not low on oil, and nothing else seems unusual.
This "flashing" of the gauge can either be several quick movements, or
one that lasts for a second or two. It also seems to taper off after a
period of driving, but can still do it.
One more thing. I had my speedometer rebuilt about a month ago, so the
instrument cluster was removed. However, this problem didn't start soon
after that work was done.
Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks.

Randy

We're living in a world that's been pulled over our eyes to blind us
from the truth. Where are you, white rabbit?

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Ulysses - 13 Jun 2006 03:23 GMT

> I have a 96 XLT with 4.0 and auto trans.
> Mileage is approaching 162,000. Since about 2 weeks ago I noticed my oil
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Randy

I would suspect a bad connection or a bad oil pressure sensor. I have an
old (78) F350 and the "Oil" light comes on when I come to a stop and goes
off when I start going again. It's not low on oil.

.

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My Names Nobody - 13 Jun 2006 07:05 GMT

>> I have a 96 XLT with 4.0 and auto trans.
>> Mileage is approaching 162,000. Since about 2 weeks ago I noticed my oil
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> .

You do realize it is a oil "presser" gauge, not an oil "volume" gauge?
You can have the appropriate amount of oil, and still suffer from a lack of
oil pressure.

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Ulysses - 15 Jun 2006 04:57 GMT

> >> I have a 96 XLT with 4.0 and auto trans.
> >> Mileage is approaching 162,000. Since about 2 weeks ago I noticed my oil
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> You can have the appropriate amount of oil, and still suffer from a lack of
> oil pressure.

So, are you saying that my oil pressure might actually be dropping when I
come to a stop? Got any ideas what might cause this?

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jrchilds - 17 Jun 2006 07:10 GMT

>>>> I have a 96 XLT with 4.0 and auto trans.
>>>> Mileage is approaching 162,000. Since about 2 weeks ago I noticed my
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> So, are you saying that my oil pressure might actually be dropping when I
> come to a stop? Got any ideas what might cause this?

Yes it can and will. At idle the engine and oil pump are turning slower,
less oil is being pumped,less oil pressure. When you come to a stop the
oil will slosh forward in the oil pan and if the oil level is low
enough, the pickup tube could be momentarily uncovered causing the pump
to suck air instead of oil.

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carbide@egine.com - 16 Jun 2006 22:34 GMT

> > I have a 96 XLT with 4.0 and auto trans.
> > Mileage is approaching 162,000. Since about 2 weeks ago I noticed my oil
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> old (78) F350 and the "Oil" light comes on when I come to a stop and goes
> off when I start going again. It's not low on oil.

An intermittant electrical connection is a good possibility. The
"gauge" is also misleading, the stock sender is just a switch. So
you'll never see the gauge read anything except zero and something near
the middle, as the switch is either on or off.

The recent removal of the dash makes me suspect something like a
cracked solder joint on a dash cable connector. I replaced the speedo
in my '94, and it was difficult to get those connectors off. Using too
much force can crack a solder joint, which will still make contact
until the fractures oxidize. Then it becomes intermittant because the
oxide is an insulator.

Try tapping on the dash with the engine running, see if you can get the
gauge to jump around. If that has no effect, take a look at the wire
where it attaches to the sender. I think those are the most likely
problem areas, the dash and at the sender.
-Paul

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CWLee - 22 Jul 2006 22:44 GMT

As I posted here a few months back, I had a similar
experience. My mechanic said it was a faulty sending/sensor
unit. He said no problem, and the next time I got the oil
changed he would replace it. A couple of thousand miles
later he changed the oil and replaced the unit. It is about
the size of a spark plug, and cost around $10. It
apparently screws into the underside of the engine
somewhere, and a wire connects to the other end. I think
replacing it is similar to replacing a spark plug, except
that you have to drain the oil out first and then replace it
later.

==================

> I have a 96 XLT with 4.0 and auto trans.
> Mileage is approaching 162,000. Since about 2 weeks ago I noticed my oil
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> We're living in a world that's been pulled over our eyes to blind us
> from the truth. Where are you, white rabbit?

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yves - 23 Aug 2006 01:35 GMT

Had a similar pb. Deposit had pluged the small oil passage...Opened it up
with a shortened 1/8 inch x12 drill bit.

> As I posted here a few months back, I had a similar
> experience. My mechanic said it was a faulty sending/sensor
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
> to blind us
>> from the truth. Where are you, white rabbit?

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