First thing. Hi, I bought a 88 SE for a deal of a lifetime, and i come from the mazda mx-3 community.

Now down to the problem at hand.
My oil pressure gauge in the instrumental cluster doesn't work. I'm searched using the terms "oil pressure" "pressure gauge" and oil gauge" but nothing comes up in that category.

would it be possible for someone to take pictures of what i might want to check (sender, wires, cluster something that would make this an easy fix, if it was a simple problem.

If its bigger than what would you suggest i do?
replace the sender? buy a pod, new gauge, sender if the oem one is failure prone.

Thanks guys i appreciate it. Just getting introduced on the rotory engine and how it works.

Any information you can give me from experience will help immencly. thanks!

 

The first thing to do is check if the wire's fallen off the sensor, which is common. If it has, clip it back on making sure the connection is clean and tight.

 

you are officially my hero!
do you have link or two to an online 88 NA workshop manual, or something of that nature!

 

Go to www.iluvmyrx7.com/2nd_gen_manuals.htm and download the Factory Service Manual (FSM) in PDF format for free.

 

i check the clip on the oil pressure sender. Took it off, put it back on. Its a little dirty but other than that i'm not sure.

Is there a way to test if the problem is in the actual sensor meter? a voltage meter perhaps? something of that nature?

 

See the Body Electrical chapter of the FSM for testing the gauges.

 

ok. I'm pretty sure its the sender thats the problem.

I'd like to replace it but because its failure prone (and Freakin expensive!) I'd like to go aftermarket. I've been reading up and it seems that autmeter makes a sender that would fit with an adapter. Any idea to where i can get both?

also when i replace the sender do i just unplug..remove..plug and play, or is it a drain oil...release any remaining pressure, and change the sender? Sorry for the newbie questions. lol i guess thats what i am. duh.

 

A better solution is to get an FC3S Oil filter pedistal. It has two standard 1/8th NPT ports so you can have oil pressure and oil temperature gauges. I have one installed on mine and it works great. As for the original sender, you can leave it in place disconnected.

 

do you have a picture of this?

This has really interested me! where would i buy it, whats the average cost, whats the procedure to install it?

Thanks, I appreciate it!

 

It's $70, billet aluminum, and replaces the stock oil filter neck. Mazdatrix has them in stock. They can be had in polished, blue or red anodized finishes. You install it this way:

1. Remove oil filter
2. Using a 10MM metric wrench, remove the two nuts underneath the filter neck. This will not go quickly.
3. Once the nuts are out, remove the neck and o-rings underneath.
4. Remove the studs from the OEM neck and install them into the new pedestal.
5. Before installing the new pedistal, install your sender(s) using teflon sealant (NOT TAPE) if using electric senders.
6. Using the new o-rings included with the pedestal, place them on the block first, then lower the new pedestal onto the engine block.
7. Tighten down each nut with the 10MM wrench.
8. Start the car, check for leaks.
9. Check the operation of your gauges.

Here are some pics of my installation. Note: I switched the location of the oil temperature sender to the other port so if I install a pressure sender, there won't be clearance issues.

 

I've got one, they are pretty slick. Made installing oil pressure and oil temp gauge really really really easy.