Posting this to help others - About 2 weeks ago my truck's oil pressure gauge began to sometimes read zero oil pressure when coming to a stop and when the engine dropped to idle. The red dash warning light came on and the chime/dinger thing went off. I suspected it was a false reading, and a faulty sending unit, because the pressure gauge went all the way to zero. Not 15, not 10, not 5, not 2, but all the way to dead 0. Also, sometimes it would read zero, and other times it would read normal. And it never did it when cold, only after about a 5 mile warmup drive. And, a tap of the gas pedal brought the pressure instantly back to 40.

A new sending unit fixed the problem. The old sending unit was beginning to leak at the o-ring between the plastic upper section and the metal lower section. cheap *** plastic parts.

I had replaced the oil pump and sending unit in about 2006, when i did the plenum repair. I don't know what brand the replacement sending unit was. It might have been autozone, or it might been napa. I think i'll look it up and see if i can make a warranty claim after 7 years.

I bought a new one today at Advance. Using their webpage, I bought online and picked up at the store, and using discount code A124, got a $10 discount on $30. Its an AWD brand and costs $34 in the store, or $24 on their website.

You also need the 1-1/16 socket, as this thing is a pain to get to:
Remove the air filter.
Get a step ladder.
Climb up on the bumper, and lay across the fan shroud.
Find it. this takes awhile. behind throttle body, to passenger side of distributor cap. under the plug wires.
locate the electrical connector.

NOTE--- at the bottom of the electrical connector - FIND THE RED SLIDE TAB. SLIDE IT SIDEWAYS TO UNLOCK.

pinch the top and it'll slip right off.
using the 1-1/16 socket, remove it and replace it. don't knock any debris into the hole while its off.
re-lock the electrical connector by sliding the red tab.

THIS REQUIRES EXTREME PATIENCE. its very difficult to reach and see, and you'll scratch up your arm on the throttle body or something. and you can't hardly breathe when your laying across the engine in a contorted position. and the intake is still hot. also the electrical connector will not release until you operate the red slide tab correctly. do get the special 1-1/16 socket. it grips the sending unit and with a socket extension, allows you to get the new one down into its hole.

enjoy.

 

Thank you! It's been driving me nuts I'll try it. A mechanical gauge says it's fine but come to a stop and it's DING DING DING!!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!
Dana