I just bought a 96 1500 5.2L 2wd and during my truck shopping I looked at another 1500 that had oil gauge issues but when it read zero the engine oil light would come on. That truck also had a noticeable knock and needed a new oil pump.

My truck made no unusual sounds from the engine but the dash gauge would read zero unless the engine was running at around 2500 rpm, then the gauge would jump up to normal and stay there until you took your foot off the gas and the revs dropped. The oil light would never come on. I assume this is an electrical issue and the gauge is just finicky?

If the engine was not getting adequate oil pressure the oil light on the dash would come on wouldn't it???????

Thanks,
Zac

 

Not necessarily, depending on what the problem is. The gauges in our truck are unreliable at best. The only way to know what is going on is to put a mechanical gauge on it and see what the pressure is doing.

EDIT:
OOps i just reread your post you already own it so I edited my post. Long day at work. Could be a simple problem but put a mechanical gauge on it and see whats going on. Could be the as simple as the sending unit.

 

Stupid me I already bought it. I drove it from Daytona to Jacksonville without issue but now the check engine light just came on while accelerating on the highway. Now I am scared something might be wrong

 

Need to pull the codes either with a reader or with the key trick and see whats there. As for oil pressure you will really need to put a mechanical gauge on it and see what its doing. Could be as simple as the sending unit / oil pressure switch or whatever your local parts house will call it.

EDIT: As long as oil pressure 7psi or more you should be ok, if I remember correctly, for the time being but have it checked.

 

Ok I had the dealership check the codes and it turns out they have no idea what the real issue is. The Code Reader said...
No cam signal at the PCM

They said it could be hundreds of things and could be small and meaningless or big and could cause problems. Either way it said the engine had been started 138 times since the check engine light first came on but this was the first time it happened for me.

How do I put a manual gauge on the engine?
Where does it screw into?

Thanks for any help,
Zac

 

If the PCM wasn't getting a cam signal, it would stop running...... (wouldn't know when to fire the injectors...)

Oil pressure sensor is on the back of the motor, just to the passenger side of the distributor. It's a pain in the rear, but, pull the sender, and screw your mechanical gauge in there. See what pressure REALLY looks like. If pressure shows good on the mechanical gauge, put in a new sender.

 

I do have a 1/4" mpt gauge but it only goes up to 20 psi...Is that okay

 

No, Oil pressure can go well over 60..... that would prolly blow your gauge apart.... not a good scene.

 

Not to scare you but your symptoms, if the gauge is correct, would suggest that the bearings are worn out.

 

A little premature to scare him...our trucks can do that without our help. lol
1stGenDak when you get the oil pressure readings let us know. While you are back there by the sender check all connections for grounds, sensors and such.