can't seem to get oil pressure gauge working

[nytescion]

I can't seem to get my gauge to work for nothing. I'm using an Autometer oil pressure gauge and sending unit. The sending unit is brand new. Just to let you know I have the wire from the sending unit to the S on the back of the gauge then ground for G and power to I. gauge lights up but needle doesn't move at all. Any suggestions?

 

[sschambers]

If I remember right, you have to hook up a power source to those oil pressure gauges and it has to come from an ignition source....So it comes on with the ignition. I tapped mine into the head unit ignition power source. Although power is power, if you had it hooked to a constant source, the gauge would just always be on...

There should be a total of 2 power sources (one for the gauge to work and another for the backlight). The one for the backlight I have tapped into the gauge dimmer switch, so all of my aftermarket Autometer Cobalt's dim with the turn of the knob and the backlights only comes on when I flick the parking lamp/headlights on.

 

[nytescion]

ok the previous owner had it both the power from the light and the gauge came off one line and the ground for the light and the gauge were connected to one line then the sender line went to the S on the back of the gauge. What you're telling me is that I need to seperate the two power and ground connections so they are all individual?

also these aren't getting direct power from battery I do have it hooked up to the ignition so the light on turns on when the car is powered on.

 

[sschambers]

Well the grounds can all go to the same grounding source, though try to keep each ground on its own wire.
Same with the power sources (power is power), but I recommend hooking the backlight source to either the tail-lights or dimmer switch, and the gauge power to the ignition source. Just don't hook up the gauge power to the tail light source or something, I don't think you want the gauge ONLY working when the tail lights turn on.

When you turn the ignition to ON, the needle should jump up a hair from the resting pin to 0 on the gauge. Then when the engine is started, the needle should read the correct oil pressure if everything is hooked up correctly.

 

[nytescion]

well nothing moves ever. Only when i move the power to the other side then the gauge reads 100.....

 

[sschambers]

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Here's an image for the correct wiring for your gauge.

Grounds grounded to somewhere on the vehicle (make sure where ever there may be paint at, you should lightly sand the surface to have a complete metal-to-metal contact).
Power - one for light should be hooked up to a switch of some sort, or to ignition source (if ignition source is used, the light will constantly be on when the vehicle is on). Another power for the gauge, hooked into ignition source.

If everything is hooked up properly, it might be a faulty gauge...