Hello All, got a question, I just bought this 96 Ram 1500 and after a few days at ideal or coming to a stop the oil pressure gauge gets erratic and drops to 0. I don't see any difference in engine operation or temp. There is no oil burning I can detect as of yet anyone had this problem before?
G

 

welcome to DF... sounds like your oil pressure sensor has gone bad... it's located on the back of the block next to the distributor. when they start to go bad the sending unit will leak oil into the connector area causing your problem. take a look at it...

 

...and pray it's not your oil pump.

 

and make sure when you put it back in that you put it in the right hole, otherwise youll have a big oily mess.....

 

Thanks guys, I'll check it out. Hopes it not the oil pump geez, that be a bummer. Thanks again.

 

Even if it is your oil pump, it is still something that you can do yourself.

I replaced mine in less than 45 minutes. If you need to do it, just search the posts here, you should find several with step by step directions. Only recommendation I have if you have to do it is to buy a Melling High Volume pump. You will not be sorry and it costs less than $45.

 

I got the unit and changed it out. the pressure is still dropping to about 30+ when at operating temp but the oil light does not come on anymore and it does not go to 80 on cold start so I guess that was the problem. Thanks all for responding to this newbie.

 

You replaced your pump or the sensor on the back of the block?

 

If i remember right, that was from experiance, right?

 

hey my truck just started doing the same thing. how hard is it to get to the pressure sensor and what did you pay for one?

does anyone have pictures of what i am replacing and where it is on the block?