OK, The problems with the oil pressure sender are well cataloged. I am having an issue where the pressure indicated is all over the place; from off the gauge low to off the gauge high. I have replace the pressure sender 2 or 3 times in 210K miles; all of them being since about 170K. The other day, I got a bug and thought - maybe I should just relocate the sender to the firewall. This way, if the wire is loose and vibrating I can easily fix it whenever needed. Physically moving the sender is not a difficult task, but the wire is so short, there is no way it would make the stretch.

So, one solution seems to be to extend the wire. The problem with this is I don't have enough room to reach in snip the end off the sender wire, braid in an extension, and solder it up. The wire is too short and my hands are too big. So, question one is... Is there any kind of one handed tool that can crimp an extension onto a short wire.

Failing the above, I thought maybe I can find a set of matching male and female connectors just like those being used; make a short extension, and clip the extension into place - maybe even soldering the new extension onto the old connector - which would be relatively easier (I think). Question is what do you call the type of connector used by the oil pressure sender, and where can I get one?

Next thought, after disconnecting the existing wire from the sender, I took a look at it and it is caked with oil and grease. Using brake cleaner, I was able to spray it a little clean, but not (new) clean. I will spray it again once I finish this post - maybe this is all it really needs.

Any thoughts on the above?

 

So the oil pressure sender will go low when the circuit is open, and peg high on short to ground. So if your theory about the sender wire moving around is correct, there would be a bare wire somewhere, broken, and shorting to ground. It's not entirely absurd, but also unlikely. I'll bet you're having an issue with the condenser. There's a capacitor in parallel that's bolted to the clutch slave cylinder. Its purpose is to filter out spikes in oil pressure so people don't freak out. See if you can just unplug it and maybe your problems will go away? It looks like about a 1/2" x 3/4" plastic black box with a metal tab and one wire.

To answer your question about the sender wire, a single male spade lug will fit in the connector.

Unfortunately, the wiring harnesses for these cars are deteriorating quickly, and probably faster than they can be repaired. See if u plugging the condenser helps first, then I'd suggest trying to pull the harness and look for rubbed through spots.

 

>>> Question is what do you call the type of connector used by the oil pressure sender, and where can I get one?
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/p...yABEgJkKPD_BwE

As AGreen mentioned, capacitor may be causing your problem. Capacitors can fail either open- or short-circuit. As a first step, I would disconnect the capacitor and see causes any changes in the gauge readings.

You can always eliminate the stock gauge with an aftermarket electric or mechanical gauge. I think the only problem with this would be finding a place to mount the gauge.

 

Thanks, this post is filled with excellent information and gives me a road to go down. I will report back after I have tried a few things.