My oil gauge when at idle drops to the lower mark on the white band when running at higher rpms it moves up to the middle of the band is that normal?? I thought it was a temp gauge but is it an oil pressure gauge???

2002 Dakota Sport

 

What is the oil level? How long has it been since the last oil change? Stick a mechanical gauge in it to verify real oil pressure.

 

Oil level is a hair below the full mark and it's looks recent the color is still honey not black.

 

yes it is oil pressure. Spec is 7-10 pounds at idle, plus 10 pounds for every 1,000 RPM.

 

SO it should drop at idle to the lower limit mark on the gauge and rise as the rpm's increase ..so low mark at idle and middle of the gauge at 3,000rpm's or so is correct.

I just brought this truck and am trying to learn what I can about it's quirks and general operation.

 

the oil gauge is VERY unreliable. Even in the FSM, is says to check with a mechanical gauge, as the onboard gauge is basically a 3-state switch. Either there's pressure, or there's not, or there's just a hint of pressure. I think the ranging is something like 0-5, 5-20, and 20+ .

 

OK so where is the port to "plug" in a real gauge? I have the 2.5 4 cylinder engine.

 

Paging DAKAZ, Paging DAKAZ. Your expertise is requested. (I wish this board had a user tagging system like another board I'm on).

My FSM doesn't have a removal/installation chapter for the oil pressure switch, odd.

On the 3.9/5.2/5.9, it's under/next to the distributor. I'm not sure where it is on the 2.5, Dakaz is the only frequent member on here with one.

 

Back when I had the issue....

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...sure-drop.html

 

next to the distributor.