1G Stock oil pressure gauge intermittently not working 1G GSX

AWDPetmitsu · May 6, 2016

Lately the stock oil pressure gauge has been acting up on my 1G GSX. It reads ok but intermittently it will drop to zero and stay there for several minutes and then it'll go back up again to normal as I keep driving. Sometimes it doesn't move at all when I first start it up but then it'll start working and then drop to zero and stay there until it decides to work again as I keep driving. I've replaced the oil pressure gauge sender and the oil pressure gauge itself too and checked the wiring and connectors. When I ground the circuit, the gauge reads maximum so the wiring should be ok. Also, the low oil pressure warning light doesn't come on when the gauge drops to zero so I think I should still have good oil pressure when it happens. I'm totally stumped at this point and wondering if anyone has ran into this issue and have a solution? I don't want to run an aftermarket gauge. I just want to get the stock one working properly again.

Stephen227 · May 6, 2016

My laser does this. I replaced both the sender and the low oil pressure light. same deal. Reads great oil pressure for about 10 minutes than it goes to zero. than without reason Ill have oil pressure again. While the accuracy of the gauge is a joke anyway it still is an indicator that you do have oil LOL

. It's also very annoying to me.

AWDPetmitsu · May 6, 2016

Stephen227 said:
My laser does this. I replaced both the sender and the low oil pressure light. same deal. Reads great oil pressure for about 10 minutes than it goes to zero. than without reason Ill have oil pressure again. While the accuracy of the gauge is a joke anyway it still is an indicator that you do have oil . It's also very annoying to me.

You replaced the oil pressure light? Or did you mean you replaced the oil pressure gauge?

I've seen at least 2 other threads with the same exact issue and no one's ever replied to them.

Yeah, it is very annoying and totally baffling and disconcerting! How long have you been running your car with this issue? Have you ever verified your actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge?

Stephen227 · May 6, 2016

Ooops! I replaced the sender. double checked the wiring at the sender but that's it. I've been driving on it for 6 years. The plan was to get a real oil pressure gauge for reference at least. I want to fix it however because I like things to work.

Lou98GSX · May 6, 2016

i would replace the electrical connector at the sender and make sure its a tight fit .

AWDPetmitsu · May 6, 2016

Stephen227 said:
Ooops! I replaced the sender. double checked the wiring at the sender but that's it. I've been driving on it for 6 years. The plan was to get a real oil pressure gauge for reference at least. I want to fix it however because I like things to work.

Yeah, I like things to work too. I don't want to be looking at a dead gauge while driving.

It's still doing the same thing, dropping off intermittently, after 6 years of driving???!!!

Lou98GSX said:
i would replace the electrical connector at the sender and make sure its a tight fit .

I'm positive the connector at the sender is a tight fit. I hooked it up and covered it with RTV, securing it against the sender body. It's rock solid and doesn't move a millimeter.

Lou98GSX · May 6, 2016

i would still cut the wire and put a new connector your getting an open circuit from a bad connection . that sender connector is at the bottom of the motor and its exposed to the elements . when you put a new connector do it right solder the wire and put heat shrink tubing . you don't have to put rtv .

Lester B · May 6, 2016

I'm with Lou. That connector is chincy. Put a new one with heat shrink. I'm surprised mine is working fine with the condition of it.

But at the bottom of the motor and just a slip on connection. At least you'll know it's not that if it continues.

Since your low I'll dummy light isn't coming on it sounds like just a bad sending connection.

Let us know. Good luck man.

2GDSM Addict · May 22, 2016

I had this problem about a year ago and it turned out to be the connection at the sender. Good luck!

GST with PSI · May 22, 2016

Listen to the guys above, and replace the wire that goes to the sender. I'd be willing to bet that's your issue.

Also, use dielectric grease if you want to seal the connection. RTV is an insulator, not a conductor. That could be part of your issue.

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2GDSM Addict · May 22, 2016

+1 on the dielectric grease! That's brilliant. Never thought of that.

1990TSIAWDTALON · May 22, 2016

I slapped on a female spade connector two years ago as a "test"....never messed with it since and its working fine although the factory gauge is a slow reacting gauge. I have an electronic aftermarket gauge and it works very quick.

Denvario · Jun 9, 2016

My gauge was doing the same thing when I reconnected the pressure wire took it off brushed it and hit it with some brake cleaner then it worked fine until it fell off again a week later I ended up stripping the wire and wrapping it around the connector then soldering it to it has not had any problems since put some die grease on the terminal and should fix it right up mine was a pretty interment problem though so wonder if it's just a bad pressure sender

Is this the part you hit with rtv? My connector and dirt was my problem I believe make sure it's clean and tight!

AWDPetmitsu · Jun 11, 2016

A big thanks to everyone who replied. I was convinced all the connections were ok, especially after securing that loose one at the sender unit with RTV, but after reading your replies, I decided to just eliminate all the old connectors. I had all original wiring and connectors on so I decided to eliminate that short harness between the sender and the body harness. I cut off the connector at the body harness side and soldered a wire to it and attached a female spade connector on the other end. The female spade connector slips perfectly and tightly onto the oil sender. The oil pressure gauge has been working fine ever since. Thanks again to all who replied!

AWDPetmitsu · Jun 11, 2016

Denvario said:
My gauge was doing the same thing when I reconnected the pressure wire took it off brushed it and hit it with some brake cleaner then it worked fine until it fell off again a week later I ended up stripping the wire and wrapping it around the connector then soldering it to it has not had any problems since put some die grease on the terminal and should fix it right up mine was a pretty interment problem though so wonder if it's just a bad pressure sender

Is this the part you hit with rtv? My connector and dirt was my problem I believe make sure it's clean and tight!

Yes, I used RTV to secure that loose fitting connector onto the body of the oil sender thinking it was ok since it didn't move but apparently the connection was still bad. I replaced that connector with a female spade terminal that fits perfectly and tightly onto the sender and it resolved the issue. The problem might have also been on the other end of that wiring and I eliminated that connection and just soldered the wire directly onto the body harness side wiring.

Denvario · Jun 11, 2016

Sweet at least you got it figured out

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1G Stock oil pressure gauge intermittently not working 1G GSX

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