280ZX (S130) Forums Dedicated to 79-83 ZCars

Oil gauge

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-04-2010, 02:27 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
duckyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 903
Oil gauge

Alright... I think I have an idea as to why my stock oil gauge isn't working, but I want to bounce it off you guys.

After working well (and accurately, I might add) for so many years, the oil gauge just stopped working. Needle is on zero all the time. At first, it scared the crap outta me, but one check of the dipstick reassured me that I did, in fact, have full oil. The lack of rocker arms ticking and valves rattling let me know that oil was indeed flowing.

So, I either have a bad gauge or a bad sending unit. How would I go about checking either one? Hell, I'm not even sure as to where the oil pressure sending unit is. That's the one thing that's worked for 27 years without a hiccup, so I never thought about looking for it!

duckyz is offline  
Old 09-04-2010, 08:58 AM
  #2  
Taste My Rainbow
 
skittle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: LOST VEGAS
Posts: 2,418
Most likely its the gauge, get an aftermarket one and you should see the correct pressure.
skittle is offline  
Old 09-04-2010, 01:53 PM
  #3  
More Than Meets The Eye
 
WildmaN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Mesa, Az
Posts: 5,120
I would replace your sending unit. It is located on the passenger side about the middle of the block. Do the clock, and voltmeter still work? It could be possible also. That you have a warped circuit board. They don't like 20 plus years of heat. lol Let us know what you find out, and good luck man.
WildmaN is offline  
Old 09-06-2010, 11:58 PM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
duckyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 903
Clock and volt meter still work. Trying not to go aftermarket with gauges. I like the look of the black faces with the green lights (disco dash).

Haven't had a chance to get out under it due to my work schedule and fixing my wife's Land Rover. I'll try to take a quick peek tomorrow before work and see if it's still connected or if the contacts need cleaning. I've been driving the Z 73 miles a day since December and it runs like a champ! Including the trip out here, that adds up to 20k miles in just under 9 months.

If I could just get the damn suspension changed, I'd be happy!!!
duckyz is offline  
Old 09-07-2010, 12:30 PM
  #5  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
duckyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Alameda, CA
Posts: 903
Man.... do I feel stupid. Damn thing just came unplugged. Popped the connection back on and BLAM! Oil gauge back in action.

Gotta love the easy fix!
duckyz is offline  
Old 09-07-2010, 03:40 PM
  #6  
Intrawebz Wizard
 
BlueKitsune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Vernal, UT
Posts: 3,176
lol nice. If it ever fails in the long run get an OEM Early Z31 Oil Pressure sender they work great and they will never fail or leak for a very very long time
BlueKitsune is offline  
Old 09-08-2010, 09:07 AM
  #7  
Mr Z++ Wiki
 
FricFrac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Victoria, BC
Posts: 2,195
Originally Posted by BlueKitsune
lol nice. If it ever fails in the long run get an OEM Early Z31 Oil Pressure sender they work great and they will never fail or leak for a very very long time
Good to know - mine is leaking and I needs to be replaced. I found out because my oil presure went hard right with just the ignition on and the engine not running Turns out the connector was full of oil...
FricFrac is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Fast240Z
240Z, 260Z, 280Z (S30) Forums
5
05-02-2005 01:08 PM
danielschoenwald
300ZX (Z31) Appearance Exterior, Interior
1
09-05-2003 03:26 PM
Ramen Sama
300ZX (Z31) Forums
1
04-28-2003 06:26 PM
danielschoenwald
300ZX (Z31) Forums
1
10-11-2002 06:16 PM



Quick Reply: Oil gauge



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:08 AM.