Oil Pressure Problem

After must research, I'm completely baffled. Here's the background info. After changing the oil/filter my oil pressure gauge was showing low oil pressure and sometimes it would drop off completely. I found that while moving stuff around, I had knocked the oil pressure sensor wire (at least that's what I think it is) loose so it didn't have a good connectiong. I cut the connector off, then connected a new one because the old one was frayed. That sure enough fixed it. Well NOW it's doing the same thing, except now it will sit at zero (zero in relation to the entire stock oil pressure gauge), then around 4K it will go up just a bit off of zero. And very seldom it will go just a little under the first "optimum pressure" mark, then eventually drop back off. I drove it around for a little while because I just figured the wire got cut or something and isn't making a good connection since this is what happened last time. The car has yet to seize up and shut down. I have a date tonight, so I don't have time to get under the car and look around, but the wire is still on the little prong that sticks out. Could this be my oil pump going out, or does it sound more like an electrical problem?

Pull the oil cap off the top of the valve cover while its running and reach over and give it a little throttle. If you have good oil pressure then it should sling oil all around inside that you can see. If not, shut it off immediately and do not drive it until you correct the problem. Checking that right there will tell you if its the pump going bad or just an electrical problem. Either way, you don't wanna screw around with it. Oil is a very serious issue.

i had the same issue with the wire too and it ad fallen off accidently while i was changing my oil, got it fixed and now it works like a champ. but i would deffinetly do like Brian said and pull the cap off and see about that oil pump. either way, to stay safe, i'd say park that car till it is fixed. i know it sux since you have a date and all but it's alot beter to be safe than sorry believe me, i've been there and i am sorry i didn't use better judgment. but i would put money on electrical though.

If you do have good pressure, check the pressure sending unit because I doubt it has anything to do with the gauge, but then again it's a DSM so it could be ANYTHING.

Thanks for the recommendations. So if I do discover that I have oil pressure using the cap off method and that my wiring is good, how exactly should I go about testing the pressure sending unit? I assume that's some sort of electrical piece? Maybe mechanical? I will be sure to get under the car sometime in the morning. BTW, I put 8 brewskies down my neck tonight and still have clear enough vision to type. BYYAAAAHHHH!! (Chapelle's Show Skit)

**Update**

I went out this morning to crank the car with the oil cap off and a rag over the hole so I could check out the oil slingage under the valve cover. It looked pretty dry before I cranked, but after I cranked it there was a ring of oil over the cam lobes and the oil pressure gauge went back up to normal, so everything was good to go. Now my question is, with the gauge fluctuating, could this really just be bad wiring, or is the oil pump going out? I really haven't the money to get it replaced because my mechanic would charge the same for a timing belt job, plus more. And I just recently had the timing belt replaced, so that would suck if I had to do it again. And there's no way I'm screwing with the timing belt ever again, so me doing it is out of the question. Any advice??

prolly bad sending unit, my talon did the same thing

I've heard it is quite rare for the oil pumps to actually go bad on these cars... I would just go and get a new oil pressure sending unit. I've seen the sending units go bad, plus its cheaper and easier to replace first. Hopefully that solves the problem.

That makes me feel a whole lot better. I do remember bending the prong on the old unit a few times on accident. I picked a new one up at Autozone for $3.99. I'm out of town right now, but I'll replace it either tomorrow or Monday. I'm pretty sure that's what it is now after the diagnosis. Thanks a lot guys.

By the way, good luck on the project. I've been following it and everything looks great so far.

By the way, good luck on the project. I've been following it and everything looks great so far.
My project? lol

If so, thanks. Its moving along quite slowly now.

Just thought I'd give an update for those who gave me help. Well...it worked! Thanks for all the help guys. Still in the game.

Just thought I'd give an update for those who gave me help. Well...it worked! Thanks for all the help guys. Still in the game.
Was it indeed the sending unit gone bad then?

It sure was.

Score one for me!! Yay!