taikowaza

noticed that my oil pressure guage is constantly off the charts (as high as it will go). checked my oil level and it is fine. This super-high reading is even there when the engine is off...making me think it's stuck or that something has become disconnected. everything else is running fine.

any 2nd gen oil-pressure guage connection intel would be a godsend! thanks!

weakyota91

Well obvoisly If its still pegged out when your 4 runners off then like you said its probly stuck there. I would try mabye removing instrument cluster and unplugging the back of it and plug it back in. Just for starters

Numbchux

I don't know 2nd gens specifically. but typically sending units like that work by grounding the signal wire. the less resistance (more power) on the wire, the higher the gauge reads. meaning if the signal wire is shorted to ground, the gauge will peg to the top, and stay there.

had this happen on my subaru once. the oil pressure signal wire came unplugged from the sensor, and was resting on the engine block, and my oil gauge pegged....had me real confused for awhile (and worried!).


I'm not sure why it would stay there with the truck off....that depends how the gauges work. My truck has a digital dash, so I have absolutely zero experience on that front. but I'd check the signal wire, starting at the pressure sendor, and see if it's shorting to ground anywhere.

taikowaza

Thanks for the good advice! I think that the next step is to check the sensor cable like you recommended numbchux. Where is the oil pressure sensor cable and connector located in the 3vze? I hope that the fix will be a simple loose connector...AND- this may even be related to my dash relay issue! wow wouldn't that be cool to smack 2 birds with 1 sensor connector
here's hoping

WFO

Try tapping on it. My freinds powerstroke does that and everytime he gets in it he has to tap the dash and the guage works fine.

eric-the-red

If I remember correctly the pressure sending unit is on the block near the filter.

curtiswyant

Check your sender. I wouldn't worry about it if it's too expensive to fix.

taikowaza

I went outside to take some night shots of the oil filter and see if I notice anything out of the ordinary, and lo and behold there's a cable that looks like it got ripped off a connector. Here is a pic...it looks like it got stripped off, is this the oil guage sender? there isn't a lot of room to work...is this something that can be popped back on or does it need some serious labor to reattach it?

TNRabbit

I'm sorry, but that pic is LESS than useless...

The sending unit is located immediately in front of the oil filter on the 3VZE. The wire comes down from the harness near the distributor.

maxpower_hd

Diddo on the picture. That almost hurt my eyes to look at.

If it is off the sensor, you can simply put an aligator clip on it to test it.

taikowaza

durn cellphones at night! sorry about the eyes guys. Eye damage is the last thing you deserve when trying to help. My evidently subpar photoshop skills also added to the damage
I will take a better shot with the 'real' camera later. the cable sitting on top of the oil filter is bent at an angle and simply holding on by a thread. I'm wondering if this will clip back into place or if I need to replace the whole assembly.
I'm attaching some originals w/o photoshop from the cellphone in the hopes that this will shed more light until I get a real camera in there.
in this pic the alternator belt is along the bottom, looking down towards the oil filter, with the bent cable lying along the top of the oil filter.

Weasy2k

Tim look at your alternator then directly to the left of it...take the picture there

The sensor is usually under a big rubber cup type thing. (its in the email i sent you).

Weasy2k

OH yes that picture that you took the first time is the one...that wire you circled

Jay351

Mine is the opposite, it likes to stay at 0psi..

taikowaza

thanks johnny! OK so that cable is the problem for sure. decision time- can I simply reattach this or do I need to purchase a part assembly? I wonder what a dealer would charge me to reattach this cable. I'm almost afraid to ask, but usually good for a laugh. low-cost solutions are definitely best

TNRabbit

You'll need to unplug it and pull it out by the distributor & take a close look at it. If you can splice it, that's the way I'd go. The dealer is only going to want to replace the ENTIRE wiring harness (it's all one piece).

Weasy2k

Tim tim tim! No no just look at it...get your hand in there and pull that boot up and see if the little wire is attached to the sender. If its completely broken then you have to worry about fixing it.

It prob just came off while driving it has happened to my dads 4runner several times.