ok ! so last summer i had the oil light flashing when coming to an idle after driving ( especially after towing ) , so i read on here about changing to synthetic oil and putting in a cooler thermostat . did . fine till 2 wks ago i towed in a explorer with a heavy drag , and plus this winter finds the cabin temp too cool for my liking , so i switched the thermostat out to the higher temp .. lots of cabin heat now .. and no towing involved the oil light is flashing when coming to an idle again ,, now keep in mind the pressure guage has not moved last year nor this time occuring ,, so how to fix is the question ???

 

Pull sender and plug in a mechanical gauge to see exactly what is going on,

 

Most likely cause, oil sending unit or sending unit leaking oil into connector. If oil is in connector, replace both the sender and connector.

 

gdstock ~~ would this show any more than the gauge in the dash panel ??

 

mastermk2 ~~ would this not happen steady no matter what ???

 

perhaps a mention ~~ when this happens a slight ( ever so ) pressure on the throttle , light goes out .. or placing in neutral .. ??

 

Installing a mechanical gauge (temporarily) will help identify if it is an oil pump issue, or sender/gauge issue. It will prevent throwing parts at it and hoping to fix it.

 

Im guessing your oil pressure gauge sending unit is old and a little gummed up. I would throw a new one on it, just because they are cheap and I consider them disposable. As far as I know there is no way to test the sending unit itself. Im sure someone speak up, if they know of a way. I do know that your gauge likes to see between 24.5 and 65 ohms to put the needle in the "normal range." The sending unit uses a diaphram to change the resistance it puts out, thus giving you a variable reading.

 

I remember, back in the day, when auto manufacturers could make an oil pressure sending unit that would last longer than the engine it was screwed into..... Unlike the units you see today, that simply doing an oil change can trash 'em...... Yes, I am looking at YOU Generous Motors....... Dodge apparently gets theirs from the same place.

 

~~~~~ i guess i'm too detailed oriented , sorry ,, will a gauge attached at the sender unit tell more than the needle gauge in the dash ?