Oil Pressure Gauge Reading/Test

[MIDEVIL214]

Is there an ohms reading that can help identify a bad gauge? My oil pressure sits near 70 at idle. I have one of the replacement gauges for the oem cluster. Installed in the cluster it reads 14.9 ohms.

I’m running a solid state IVR and have steady 5 volts at the sender wire connection. I’ve added a separate ground wire to the ivr mount screw. I’ve also ran a Bronco vendor provided sender, orileys and a motorcraft sender that failed soon after purchase. Oem dash paint with cluster tight to it (no rust). None of the above has helped.

 

[DirtDonk]

What’s wrong with 70 psi that makes you think the gauge is faulty?
What condition is the engine and what weight oil are you using? Mine used to read a steady 70 when cold, or not yet fully warmed.
Never went below 40 when fully warmed.
That’s the expected oil pressure for a stock healthy engine like ours.

 

[DirtDonk]

Oh, and the ohm range on the gauge is 73 ohms (empty) to 10 ohms (full).
Or at least that’s the gauge range. The sending units read out at what I said above. I don’t really know what the value is at the gauge.

 

[MIDEVIL214]

Original 302. Rebuilt about 15 years ago and bored .10 over. Mild cam with reworked stock heads and roller tip rockers. I think I have 10W40 in it now but will be switching to 5W30 soon. Newer OEM style oil pump.

I thought it was an issue because it didn't always read that high at idle. Maybe the new gauge, IVR and sender contributed to that.

Like you mentioned, it may not be anything to worry about. I haven't driven it in a while as its been receiving lots of new parts. I'll keep an eye on it when warm and driving and hope for some change in the reading during those conditions.

 

[DirtDonk]

Sounds like a plan. Watch the other two gauges as well and make sure they are not reading slightly high.
The IVR can be slightly out of adjustment but that would affect fuel, temperature and pressure equally. And since you say it measures 5 V coming out, you should be good there.

It does sound a little high for the weight of oil you are using. I would expect a 20w/50 to read that high, but a 10w/40 to read slightly lower.
Still maybe nothing to worry about, you are correct to notice it and keep an eye on it.

 

[sprdv1]

Sounds like a plan. Watch the other two gauges as well and make sure they are not reading slightly high.
The IVR can be slightly out of adjustment but that would affect fuel, temperature and pressure equally. And since you say it measures 5 V coming out, you should be good there.

It does sound a little high for the weight of oil you are using. I would expect a 20w/50 to read that high, but a 10w/40 to read slightly lower.
Still maybe nothing to worry about, you are correct to notice it and keep an eye on it.

yes sir.. good tidbits