Check Gages Light
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Registered User
Joined: Oct 2021
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Check Gages Light
I have a 1999 RAM 1500 with the 5.9l Magnum. Only 105k miles on it. Recently whenever braking, and even more recently when coasting and idle, the "Check Gages" light illuminates and the oil pressure gage drops to 0 for two seconds before returning to normal. I have replaced the Oil Pressure switch, and this seemed to have fixed the issue temporarily ( a few hours) but the issue returned. The oil levels are good, and I cannot seem to find anything on this issue. Dealership techs think that it might be a wiring issue. Before I have to pay for them to dig into it, I was wondering if anyone had experienced this issue? Thanks!
Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 191
From: United States
You want a true, direct reading of op simply for diagnostic purposes.
Any shop could just yank your sender and thread in a gauge like a Snappy EEPV508/507 or an OTC 5610 or you could just buy an inexpensive mechanical gauge at your FLAPS and temporarily (or permanently) plumb it in and check for yourself. On my old '90 Bronco I put a mechanical op gauge in an a-pillar pod and really enjoyed the feedback and instantaneous response time (Ford is particularly bad about op gauges that LOOK like a gauge but are really just an idiot light)
You can typically plumb in an aftermarket mechanical gauge and keep the stock sending unit just using a tee and basic NPT parts from any hardware store plumbing section.
Or perhaps the Magnums have a nice unused port somewhere (I don't know)?
Any shop could just yank your sender and thread in a gauge like a Snappy EEPV508/507 or an OTC 5610 or you could just buy an inexpensive mechanical gauge at your FLAPS and temporarily (or permanently) plumb it in and check for yourself. On my old '90 Bronco I put a mechanical op gauge in an a-pillar pod and really enjoyed the feedback and instantaneous response time (Ford is particularly bad about op gauges that LOOK like a gauge but are really just an idiot light)
You can typically plumb in an aftermarket mechanical gauge and keep the stock sending unit just using a tee and basic NPT parts from any hardware store plumbing section.
Or perhaps the Magnums have a nice unused port somewhere (I don't know)?
Grand Champion
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,971
Likes: 45
From: MAINE
Have you checked the oil? Mine did this when when coming to slow down on a downward hill going to work, oil pressure dropped and check gauges came on (I have a 02 3rd gen ram but mines still the 5.9l)
checked oil, and nothing on dipstick, found a wear hole in timing cover and due to the low oil it took out a couple lifters…which I’ve since fixed
checked oil, and nothing on dipstick, found a wear hole in timing cover and due to the low oil it took out a couple lifters…which I’ve since fixed
