Oil pressuse sender fix ?

[fuzze]

Hi all , is there a quick an easy test for testing if the oil pressure sender is functioning properly . My problem is that my needle doesn't move at all .the temp gauge functions properly and I do seem to have all wires hooked up under dash at back of gauge . It has not worked since I purchased the car so , before I go to the parts store and spend again , can someone shoot me some advice ?

Thanxz Chris

[Nissanman]

You can test the gauge for response by doing the following:-

lift the wire from the electrical connection on the oil pressure sender and earth it out on a convenient point.

Then when you turn the ignition on, the gauge should swing to maximum.

The fault is usually a sender that loses the plot and either goes erratic or dead:hurt:

[ajmcforester]

Yes you can, it is a 102 class of electric diagnostics. Think of how it works you have one wire to the sensor, so the sensor is grounded to make a cercut to the block. So with the car in the on position use a wire tester unplug the sensor, place the wire on the tester and connect the tester to the block. If the light comes on that means you are getting power, if not you have a short some where. If the light came on, you need another person, well not really but it is a lot easer to test the gage do the same thing as before, but have someone watch the gage it should move if not make sure you have a lot of power and if you do and it still won't move the needle, something is wrong with the gage. If the gage is bad remember the sensor may also be bad. This is where I'd go next this way you are starting to pin the problem down; electrical can be easy if you take your time and think about haw it works. If you don't take your time with electrical problems don't mess with them you will frustrate your self and posibly make it worce.

[fuzze]

Excellent tips, electrical is not my strong point , but I am learning a bit at a time .Thank you for the help .

Chris

[beandip]

It is a common thing with these cars having the sender malfunction. Grounding the lead as nissanman stated is the easiest test. I bought a cheep mechanical gage so I could see exactly what the pressure is at the different RPM . Then I installed a new sender. Not a after market unit but one from Nissan. Before I read 0 at idle but the gauge showed 25 psi. My new sender shows at idle the needle is 1/4 '' off the zero peg. the 0 reading had me worried as you are.