Crazy needle--oil pressure gauge

[Cattler]

I've read a lot of the threads about this problem and think I have a different question... My needle bounces around and sometimes reads slightly above 5 while driving. Sometimes it'll steady out at ~1 when at idle, but its most often moving erratically between 2-4. I have semi-exposed wiring running to the pressure sensors. I've also found some rust on the wire connected to the lower sensor. Could this repair be as simple as wrapping the wire in electrical tape and cleaning and reconnecting the lower wire mount?

Thanks,
David

Here are some shots of the sensor wiring.





And another customary shot of the car...

[ChkbookMechanic]

I just fixed this problem on my car and it was the connection to the pressure sender sensor that was bad. I just pulled it off and using a pair of pliers made the connection round a bit smaller than the stud connector on the sender. Pushed it back into place and it works.

The exposed wiring around the sensors isn't that big of a deal - tho you could wrap it in electrical tape if you wanted.

If the connection is good, you'll have to trace your wiring and see if there is a place where the wire has been cut or rubber against something.

Good luck.

[Crude Rudy]

The bottom sensor is Temp and the round can is pressure.

If the electrical connection is not nice and tight the gage needle can bounce around, if the circuit is open the gage will peg above 5. Pop off the round connector and clean the contacts on the sender and connector

[dshepp806]

In my case, I opted to reterminate the one in your 2nd pic,..once I established the copper wire was good (throughout). Then burnished/cleaned/dg'd the sensor connection...nice tight bite.

As to pic 1: I removed this connector, retensioning the inner ring (IIRC), burnished/cleaned the sensor body connector....I ultimately changed the female connector out with a different style.

All of this had a small influence on metering (if any at all)...I later found a retainer clamp (upstream on that harness) that had cocked itself sideways, cutting into the harness/wires...
this correction helped.

In the end, I'm still not getting perfect monitoring (standard for most out there, I would imagine),..For me, I'd like to get the cal on the instrument checked next
.....
..back to point,.::::: YES, all of those connections can be made "better".

Best,

Doyle