Oil pressure gauge going crazy - then car dies

[rshepherd1]

My 96 suddenly just started dying while at a stop light etc... Wouldn't shake or stutter, just quietly died but starts right back up. Prior to it dying, the oil pressure guage starts jumping all around then goes right down to zero and truck dies. We have replaced just about everything to do with fuel system (that was the codes we were getting) and now when calling a local auto supply store, they told me it could be the oil sending unit, however, my mechanic says no.....any ideas??

[Rick Norwood]

Originally Posted by rshepherd1

My 96 suddenly just started dying while at a stop light etc... Wouldn't shake or stutter, just quietly died but starts right back up. Prior to it dying, the oil pressure guage starts jumping all around then goes right down to zero and truck dies. We have replaced just about everything to do with fuel system (that was the codes we were getting) and now when calling a local auto supply store, they told me it could be the oil sending unit, however, my mechanic says no.....any ideas??

When was the last time you did a full tune-up? You said you did the fuel system, how about the ignition system? Plugs, wires, rotor, Dist cap, etc. Oil Sending units are usually pretty cheap to replace but they won't cause sputtering and dying. Start with the basic tune-up then report back.

[blazee]

I would suspect the oil pressure sending unit. If the oil pressure drops below 4psi the oil pressure switch will kill the power to the fuel pump causing the engine to die.

[BlazerLT]

The oil pressure was going crazy because you engine was going crazy.

The engine rpms govern the oil pressure.

You should do a complete tuneup.

[blazee]

Where does he say anything about the engine going crazy. He said the gauge goes crazy and then the engine dies. It doesn't shake or studder.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by blazee

Where does he say anything about the engine going crazy. He said the gauge goes crazy and then the engine dies. It doesn't shake or studder.

All I was saying is that the oil pressure is tied into the engine rpms so when your engine dies, the pressure will drop as well.

I would take a look at the alternator because it could be failing.

[rshepherd1]

Originally Posted by Rick Norwood

When was the last time you did a full tune-up? You said you did the fuel system, how about the ignition system? Plugs, wires, rotor, Dist cap, etc. Oil Sending units are usually pretty cheap to replace but they won't cause sputtering and dying. Start with the basic tune-up then report back.

Full Tune-up done in November 2004 do you think we need to do another??

[Rick Norwood]

Originally Posted by rshepherd1

Full Tune-up done in November 2004 do you think we need to do another??

Ironically, I just had the same problem with my 93 Blazer over the week end. My daughter was driving down the Freeway at 60 MPH when the engine just died, and to make a long story short, the engine would restart after it cooled for 10-15 minutes. The oil pressure had nothing to do with anything. When I finally got it home, it would idle until it just about got up to normal operating temp and die just as if someone turned off the key. No spitting, sputtering or shaking, it just died while idling in my driveway.

My problem was the ignition module in the distributor. I replaced it and all is fine. The Boys at AutoZone tried hard to convince me that ignition modules either work or they don't, and normally do not restart after cooling, but I proved it to them when I took the old ignition module in and had them bench test it. It was bad and then had them bench test the new replacement as a precaution and it tested good.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by rshepherd1

Full Tune-up done in November 2004 do you think we need to do another??

What did this tuneup include?

[rshepherd1]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

What did this tuneup include?

Router and cap, spark plugs and wires, fuel filter (has been replaced a second time since then), I think that's it, I would have to find all of my receipts to verify.