oil pressure indicator

[caddy57]

LPM
I was just wondering if my 96 3.4 TP has an oil pressure indicator { that is an indicator that meassures pressure, or just a switch that indicate there is pressure in system} because I see very little variance in the gauge. It's right up ther but can,t really see it move much
Thanks
Steve

[cdru]

Nor should you see it move much. The oil pump should be able to achieve operational pressure at an idle. Any more then that just gets "recycled" via a pressure relief mechanism. So a guage that starts fluctuating noticably shows that either the pump is starting to fail (low pressure) or the relief valve is starting to fail (high pressure), or a major problem somewhere in the oil distribution system.

A local shop manager hosts a weekly "car talk" show on the radio. I remember clearly a day when a similar caller asked about his oil pressure gauge always reading low. The shop manager replied "any is plenty". My advice would be to keep an eye on it if it makes you feel better, but don't worry about.

[caddy57]

The only trouble is that I have temp. differences from -30 F to 100F and there is no diff. in reading.
Steve

[LMP]

Indeed the 3.1 TP just had a pressure actuated switch that grounded the signal feed to the gauge if there were NO pressure. Pressure above 3psi opens the switch and then the gauge receives the preset current that positions the gauge at a confortable position, always the same. So in that case, just disconnecting the oil pressure switch with key on will read "normal" pressure. The 3.8 had a real proportional pressure sensor.
I do not have the diagrams for the '96 3.4 to verify what setup it is, but just disconnecting the pressure switch would give a hint.....