Oil Pressure and Gauge

[ls1camino]

So, I hooked up an oil pressure gauge in my 2000 GTP. I installed the sender in the port where the stock Low Pressure sender was. The sender only had one wire out to the gauge (ground is through the case/threading).

When the car is off and ignition off, the gauge needle rests on the edge of the gauge. When the car is on, it moves about a quater inch off of the edge, but doesn't even touch the 0 psi mark. I'm fairly sure I'm not at or below 0 oil pressure.

This is not the only gauge I've installed in my two cars, so I'm fairly sure I wired it correctly. The only thing I did differently was not put the wire in wire loom. Could it be getting a false signal by touching the Firewall or something? Also, could the ground not being good cause this problem? Is the oil filter extension metal? Would it not be a good ground?

I'm going to pull the passenger wheel off this afternoon to check to see if the wire is still attached to the sender (vibration may have rattled it off).

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Zef_66]

You wouldn't be running for long at 0psi. I am guessing something is messed up with the wiring.

You did run a new wire and didn't try tapping into the old one, correct?

[ls1camino]

You wouldn't be running for long at 0psi. I am guessing something is messed up with the wiring.

You did run a new wire and didn't try tapping into the old one, correct?

Correct, old connector is just hanging there next to the new sender.

[Zef_66]

Correct, old connector is just hanging there next to the new sender.

Did you use any kind of tape on the threads for sealant? That could be affecting your grounding.

[ls1camino]

Did you use any kind of tape on the threads for sealant? That could be affecting your grounding.

I did...do you think I don't need it?

[HEVEYMETIL]

Although the grounding is done thru the metal of the case, I am going to go out on a limb here and say it might be a weak ground. Is there plenty of metal/metal contact? What brand of gauge are we dealing with?

[Zef_66]

I did...do you think I don't need it?

You may want to only tape the first couple threads. You probably taped them too well and you aren't getting ground through the sensor.

[ls1camino]

You may want to only tape the first couple threads. You probably taped them too well and you aren't getting ground through the sensor.

First from what direction? Even with a **** ton of tephlon tape, it still tightened down all of the threads.