loyota33

Ok. I have 2k on a brand new short block 3vze. Changed the oil today and drove to the car wash... on the way back noticed oil pressure guage is all the way to the right(high), then before my eyes I watched it drop all the way to the left(low). Didnt notice any noises or change in the engine... was cruising at 30mph low RPM BTW Auto tranny. When I changed the oil I used an Engine additive that was VERY thick. Not thinking I added it first before new oil, the added oil as usual. Now I thought by adding the thick additive before the oil, I may have clogged the filter or something... so I drained the oil and istalled new oil to see if it woul;d help. Still no oil pressure, oil is almost at max on dipstick. What the heck did I do? Anyone? thanks in advance.

loyota33

BTW i have driven less than 5 miles without a chenge.

loyota33

Anybody?

apc

You should check the connector to the oil pressure sender unit. It is impossible to get a complete "h" reading and a sudden "l" reading.

Even in -30 celsius winters the 3vze gauge would not read all the way to the right.

4runner4ever

I had this problem twice.
Once after being in a shop for some maintenance. The moroon who worked there somehow hat put the sensing wire on the oil sender on the mass connector instead of on the sense connector. The oil pressure gauge went way right and then way left and didn't move anymore.
What happend is the a short circuit current flowend directly via the meter to the mass of the car. So it fully moved the gauge to the right. Then the internals of the gauge fried and the meter fell back to the left in my case. This should also occur if the sensing wire should touch the mass of any metal object on the engine.
Second one.
Did't the sensing wire get caught inbetween the oil filter and engine when you tightend it? They are real close to each other. It would cause exactly the same symptoms. Ask me how I know about this one.

O, the first gauge I got replaced for free and the second gauge cost me 50 bucks.

loyota33

hey guys thanks a bunch for the replies, I noticed that wire hanging next to the filter, where exactly does it connect?

OneTrickToy

I just noticed a wire hanging next to my oil filter 2 days ago when I changed my oil too.. But I don't have the SR5 gauge cluster.... so I have not indicators. No clue how long it's been hanging, and my engine runs great.... so it doesn't seem to be hurting the engine disconnected.

4runner4ever

There's a round metal sensor, about 1 1/2 inch in diameter, next to the oil filter. Depending on your model it has either 1 or 2 connectors. But for both types you must use the connector located in the middle of the sensor.
Don't use the outher one. That's the mass and you'll fry your gauge.
If you do not have the SR5 cluster the sensor is used for the oil pressure light. So either way, connect it!

OneTrickToy

So there are two sensor plugs.... and only one gets plugged in? That would make some sense, because I already have something plugged into my Oil pressure sending unit. I was just curious what that other plug was for.

4runner4ever

What I mean is : when everything is stock all connectors should be used. If somebody replaced a sensor you might end up with a 2 con. sensor and only a 1 wire sensor lead.
In most cases you have a 1 con. sensor and 1 wire attached to it. This is always the center connector.
I have my old 3VZE still in my backyard. I try to make a pic tonight of the sensor and post it. Unfortunately its allready dark so...