Ok so i as of 2 night ago am the PROUD owner of a 1996 1500 ram I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!! I have always wanted a 2nd gen dodge ram.

Now for why i need help. Oil pressure.
It holds at around 40 PSI while idling driving but once the truck reaches normal operating temp. the oil light comes on and the gauge drops to 0 i have no funny noises so i am not thinking main/rod i was thinking OPS but am not sure was hoping some one had had this issues before and could shed light onto this for me thank you for any help.

 

The sending units aren't that great to begin with. Best to use a mechanical gauge to verify oil pressure. If oil pressure does indeed look good replace sending unit.

 

is there a second point to plum into or just use the factory point where the OPS is located now

 

I think you just use the factory location. I haven't had to do it yet (knock on wood)....

 

Yep, just take out the current OPS, use your mechanical gauge to make sure you really do have oil pressure. If that's ok, install the new sensor.

It's a pretty safe bet that it IS the sensor though, if you don't have a mechanical gauge to test with, just replace the sensor, and see what happens. It really is a common failure. (and not just with Dodge.)

 

one last thing if you dont mind i have come across 2 different ones a Oil pressure switch and a oil sending unit are they one in the same or two different things sorry for the newb questions if this was a ford i would have done fixed the problem but im new to the world of dodge and just want to fix my truck correctly the first time.

 

Just make sure it if for trucks with an oil pressure gauge. (I think they ALL had that....)

 

Do you know if i need to remove the Distributor to remove the oil pressure switch or just the plug wires from it?

 

Don't need to do anything with the dist. OPS is far enough out of the way. Move the plug wires around a little bit maybe, but, no need to disconnect anything.

Bring your arm with its three elbows though. Space is at a premium back there.

 

And the smallest hand's you can find!!

Dave