2001 Ram 1500 w/ 5.2 litre engine, 53k miles. Oil pressure gauge basically just died - straight to 0 while driving down highway. Immediately shut down and checked oil level - OK. At start gauge goes to normal 60 psi +/-. W/in three minutes dies to 0. No fade, just dies & check gauges light & bell goes comes on. Temp. gauge shows no rise, RPM stays steady. Ideas?

I have the saame problem going for about a week now--think its the by pass valve in the oil system--only problem I'm not sure where the valve is--either on the pump or above the filter--will call a dealer tomorrow--I drained oil and put new filter on and refilled with a bottle of lucal oil treatment and 20-50 oil till I can get valve checked--holds excellent pressure now--just don't know for how long.

I'm doing the exact same now. Hope it hoolds pressure. Let me know.

Pulled the oil pan and found pick up screen about 70 % clogged--replaced pump and cleaned screen--still may have had a bad by-pass valve in the old pump--everything running good now

Since I've changed the oil & filter I haven't had a recurrence, but I'm thinking you may have the best approach. Good luck.

oil pressure sending unit..

mine did it and the sending unit fixed it..

also check for a bad ground on the sending unit circuit.

Thanks for the info.