1997 Dodge Dakota SLT V6 Magnum 4x4 Automatic-NO OIL PRESSURE

[Slan]

I own a 1997 Dakota Dakota SLT 4x4 Automatic with the V6 Magnum engine.It has 145,000 miles on it.
When I stop in traffic and put my foot on the brake The oil pressure gauge drops to zero and the check gauges warning light comes on.This has been going on for a couple of years.The problem goes away for a short time after I change the oil and filter but comes back not long after.

When The truck is in park with the engine at idle the oil pressure doesn't drop to zero.It only drops to zero in traffic stops when idling in drive with my foot on the brake.What is going on here?What can I do to fix it?

I'm thinking of going to a synthetic oil.Is that a good or bad idea for a high mileage engine?
Thanks for any help guys

[sneakybert]

Don't trust the guage and , or light on the dash . Verify that the oil pressure is low with an external oil pressure guage first . Could be a faulty oil pressure sensor . Does the engine tick badly when the light comes on ?

[Slan]

The sound of the engine does not change.It sounds normal.

[wafrederick]

Unplug the oil pressure sensor,remove it and install an oil pressure gauge.If it is 30 psi and up,it is the oil pressure sensor and it is not much money.

[Slan]

Thanks man,I'll check it out and post the results.

[tonyamhughes]

My Step Son owns a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 5.9 Magnum engine. He states when he stops his oil pressure drops to zero and he pushes on the gas and the oil pressure raises to up to 120 which is too high. In the previous post someone had asked if the engine made noise what might this be? He replaced the waterpump and I can see there is a small leak. He needs to redo this and put in a new seal. Would these issues be tied together? Any help would be appreciated!!

[rprough]

A John Denver fan in this post.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Slan

The sound of the engine does not change.It sounds normal.

i'll second that on the oil sending unit.