hi all,

i just bought a 95 and had a question about the oil pressure gauge. the car is currently running 20w-50 oil (from the previous owner). at startup, the needle reads about 60psi. but once warmed up and at idle, the gauge needle hovers just barely over the 0 mark (with no warning light). while cruising, it's rises and holds steady at the 40psi mark. the dipstick indicates 3/4 full. could the high viscosity oil and low temperature (~40F) be causing such a low oil pressure reading at idle? what range are you all getting?

thanks in advance!

 

Check the oil pressure sending unit harness. It's below the oil filter, sometimes it gets dirty from oil/dirt and sends some strange readings.

 

Take his advice and check the harness. A higher viscosity oil in tandem with low temps should yield higher oil pressure.. in 40F weather I would never run 20w50 oil.. too thick.. just my opinion.

Matt
93 touring

 

And remember that oil light is a low oil QUANTITY light.

The stock oil pressure sender goes bad over time & a low pressure reading at idle isn't necessarily low press. As Mahjik said, unplug the connector from the sending unit below the oil filter & clean up the gunk on the sender & connector.