Oil gauge stuck

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schwarz

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Does anyone know how to unstick the oil gauge in the dash. When I turn off the ignition the needle resets but upon starting the gauge pops back to the half way point immediately. Also noticed that my alternator seems a little weak, coincidence?

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crash68

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probably a bad connection or the sending unit has gone bad.
 

Core-Lokt

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Do a cluster test.

1) Key in ignition OFF

2) Depress tripmeter and hold

3) Turn key to ON, not START

4) Release tripmeter

5) Watch gauges sweep

6) Watch for codes in odometer zone and note, if any

If you have full sweep (it'll be a ratchety movement of so many degrees with a slight pause between) and no codes, I think you can start with what crash68 suggests.
 
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schwarz

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Do a cluster test.

1) Key in ignition OFF

2) Depress tripmeter and hold

3) Turn key to ON, not START

4) Release tripmeter

5) Watch gauges sweep

6) Watch for codes in odometer zone and note, if any

If you have full sweep (it'll be a ratchety movement of so many degrees with a slight pause between) and no codes, I think you can start with what crash68 suggests.
Just tried the reset. Confirmed that all gauges acted as you described but when I started back up the oil gauge went right back to where it is...how do I trouble shoot a bad sending unit?

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jwheeler

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When the truck is off, the needle is down, but when it is running, it is half way up. Maybe the problem is that you have proper oil pressure?


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schwarz

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When the truck is off, the needle is down, but when it is running, it is half way up. Maybe the problem is that you have proper oil pressure?


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When the truck is cold it shoots right up to the middle of the gauge, it usually takes a couple miles for it to hit that

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Core-Lokt

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Just tried the reset. Confirmed that all gauges acted as you described but when I started back up the oil gauge went right back to where it is...how do I trouble shoot a bad sending unit?

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It's not a re-set. It's merely a diagnostic mode to determine function. But that indicates it's not the gauge.

Don't bother trying to trouble-shoot the sensor. They're ~$20.00. Replace it, and if it's still not right, go to the 3G Tech forum and post on jotin's thread, as he works for a dealer.

BTW, did you see any "C" codes appear in the odometer area?
 
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schwarz

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It's not a re-set. It's merely a diagnostic mode to determine function. But that indicates it's not the gauge.

Don't bother trying to trouble-shoot the sensor. They're ~$20.00. Replace it, and if it's still not right, go to the 3G Tech forum and post on jotin's thread, as he works for a dealer.

BTW, did you see any "C" codes appear in the odometer area?
Thanks...no c-codes only 0000.

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justin13703

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Oil pressure will be higher when the engine is cold because the oil is thicker. The gauge drops when the ignition is shut off, it passed the gauge test, cluster shows no codes and it reads about the middle of the gauge when the truck is running. It sounds to me like everything is fine. You can still replace the sender if you want since it's only 20 bucks but you might end up with the same result.
 
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schwarz

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Oil pressure will be higher when the engine is cold because the oil is thicker. The gauge drops when the ignition is shut off, it passed the gauge test, cluster shows no codes and it reads about the middle of the gauge when the truck is running. It sounds to me like everything is fine. You can still replace the sender if you want since it's only 20 bucks but you might end up with the same result.
Thanks, yeah you were all right! I ended up replacing the sender anyways but I think i crested a problem where there was none...sender was $11.99 @ advance

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schwarz

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Guys this issue popped back up, oil pressure gauge isn't working and I have the Check Gauge light in dash...I do have oil pressure maybe the aftermarket gauge is toast?

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Core-Lokt

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Does anyone know how to unstick the oil gauge in the dash. When I turn off the ignition the needle resets but upon starting the gauge pops back to the half way point immediately. Also noticed that my alternator seems a little weak, coincidence?

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Guys this issue popped back up, oil pressure gauge isn't working and I have the Check Gauge light in dash...I do have oil pressure maybe the aftermarket gauge is toast?

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Hold on-you intially mentioned the dash gauge and now you're referencing an aftermarket gauge.

Do you have both gauges in service or was the dash gauge disabled to feed the aftermarket gauge?
 
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schwarz

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Hold on-you intially mentioned the dash gauge and now you're referencing an aftermarket gauge.

Do you have both gauges in service or was the dash gauge disabled to feed the aftermarket gauge?
That was a typo, still have oem gauge. Meant to say aftermarket sending unit.

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Core-Lokt

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I'd try the gauge/cluster test again to rule out instrumentation. Next, I'd get another (probably more costly) sending unit. If the gauges/cluster test fine and the next sending unit doesn't solve it, you'll have to go through the wiring.
 
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