86 oil pres sending unit connection ??

GeorgeW · 11-09-2003, 06:54 AM

My 86 oil pressure sending guage/unit is erratic. It is usually pegged at the top, at 5 but at times drops to 2 or 3. Before I try to replace it, I want to see if the soldering connection is OK.
My problem is that I am not sure how to disconnect the small black cap looking connection piece from the sending unit itself. It looks like the cap should screw off. It turns, but it doesnt screw/lift off. Is there a trick to disconnecting it ?
Thanks for any input.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

On my '86 it just snaps on and pulls off.
-Chris

GeorgeW · 11-09-2003, 07:09 AM

Thanks. Does the top circular cap part of the connection piece have small ridges in it? as though it is supposed to be turned ? Also, is there about 1 mm of vertical play in the entirre small black barrel like connection piece ?

Jeff Alton · 11-09-2003, 12:32 PM

George, mine is as you describe. Grab a hold a carefully pull it straight up to remove it. Do not be fooled by the knurled edge on it, it does not need to be turned. It does need a fair amount of "pull" to get it off though. Hope this helps.

Jeff

Rot 911 · 11-09-2003, 12:39 PM

What those guys said. Once you pull it off, sand the post it connects to the roll up a tiny piece of sandpaper and clean the female connector.

Steve W · Steve W's Garage

George, mine used to do what you describe, until it eventually stayed at 5. Turns out the solder connection at the plug was cracking from vibration over time, and eventually broke. Resoldering it back solved everything. Make sure to zip tie the sensor plug wire to the AC compressor bracket so it doesn't hang and vibrate and cause the same failure again.

makaio · 11-09-2003, 06:48 PM

Anyone know where I could find a new one of those connectors? Mines broke, and I have it taped on there, but would like to find a new connector.

GeorgeW · 11-10-2003, 04:54 AM

Great, thanks again.

Update: after I had rotated the 'cap' the guage permanently pegged at 5. I guess the circuit is open.

I was able to pull the connection off and the wire coming out of the cap pulled loose - a broken connection.
After fiddeling with the cap, it looks like the outer protective housing piece unscrews from the clamp like inner plastic part holding the female copper connection.

I am going to try and solder it back but will probably have to replace the connection - if that is available.

Does anyone know if it is possible to just buy the wire with the female connection, and if so, does it route all the way to the dash board all in one piece ?

carreradpt · carreradpt's Garage

Bump, have some of the same questions.

pomaro · 11-10-2003, 11:16 AM

hi,

i'm not shure i understood the whole thing.....

the topic is about the mushroom shaped connector at the top of the oil pressure sending device???

if so, you can replace the plug on the line by a standard aftermarket crimp-on plug (female)... leave that black cover away, the plug fits perfect when mounted in 90 degrees to that 'mushroom'; looks not original, but works very well.

greets pomaro

GeorgeW · 11-10-2003, 11:22 AM

Yes, that is the piece. Will look for an aftermarket crimp on plug. Any suggestions where ?

pomaro · 11-10-2003, 12:16 PM

hi,

just to be precise:

if the 'mushroom' itself is loose, i think the sending unit is gone (or quite difficult to fix).
if the plug at the cable is off...that is that cramp-on plug i'm talking of....available at car electric shops, car audio shops etc., i think in three different sizes (narrow, medium, wide), the medium size will fit (this type of plugs is used nearly everywhere in a p-car). factorywise these plugs are with blank cramps, and you need a special cramping tool, the aftermarkets usually got a plastic cover over the cramps with a copper ring inside for easy cramping.

greets
pomaro