OBS 1992-1996 Ford Truck Low Oil Pressure Gauge Explained.... Better

I wanted to make another video about the dreaded low pressure readings experienced by many OBS Ford owners. My last video on the subject was not as clear as I intended.
This video is based on my experience of over 15 years of owning various old Ford trucks. They are pretty much all I've ever driven other than Volkswagens (I know Fords and VWs, I like to tinker with things lol).
Please do note that if you have NO oil pressure, then you should investigate that.
This video is intended to explain why the system is not a true oil pressure gauge and a few (NOT ALL) reasons why it may be malfunctioning.
Please do not argue with me about the switch. It is a SWITCH. Period. It's right there in the wiring diagram. Yes I know AutoZone calls it a sending unit. It's not.
Anyhow, enjoy the video and I hope this helps.

[@BadWolf762]

I've had a '90 F150 for about 20 years and always thought the gauge was broken because it doesn't move like a pressure gauge should, just sat there perfectly centered. I found this video because it has started to read lower and I was searching for an answer, and you gave it to me. This is the most ridiculous set up I have ever heard of, and the genius that came up with it should be flogged.

[@jessesullivan1661]

Do you have a video on temp gauge for same cluster?

[@jaredpaulsen3]

Great video. Love the specific info. I was going through a few "issues" and with research I thought I had a switch, so I got a Mechanical gauge. After removing the "switch" I realized I had a "sending unit" . This is on a 1987 f150 xlt lariat 5.0L. It's super early. I think from Jan of 87. But my truck seems to be a unicorn of early bullnose parts on the 87-88 1/2 model. Tophat manual lockers. only thing I hate is I need to relocate the ICM. Been keeping one in the glovebox it's such an issue, eats them for breakfast

[@theasapautomotivechannel6815]

Great video man! So nice to see someone finally put a video up clearing the air up on these. I've dealt with these "idiot lights with a needle" for years and they're useless garbage.

[@charlescowles6383]

Sir, Thank you ir you have a week or two stop by I have a thousand more questions about a 90' model I just bought for $700. This was one fix, again thanks, now for fuel milage,shifting,vacuumed, ect.

[@pyroteckustomcycles6667]

My 1989 ranger started moving down after i replaced the switch....had me worried! Thanks for the info...

[@tmoney6401]

Thanks for the info I have a 87 4.9 300 and I have a sending unit not the switch I’ve been seeing my truck loss oil pressure for a while now and it starts at normal but in a few minutes it’s at red and when I give it gas it jumps looked in the valve cover all rockers were getting plenty of oil so I let it ride out for about a year and now time for a rebuild she didn’t last that long she still runs fine but makes a horrible noise but I wish I would have found this video back then because I would have gotten it straight

[@SM-wv7iu]

Thanks. That helps! I hope that’s my problem. Just bought a 95 F150 with 5.0 engine. Had oil pressure for the first five minutes, then dropped to nothing.

[@joesepspindel3335]

I have a 1988 full size bronco plow truck and I just got it. It would warm up and then die. I thought bad oil pressure and the engine is done because of the oil pressure gauge. I now know that it has nothing to do with that idiot light with a needle on it. thanks for this video. I ordered an oil pressure sender and it looks like the brass made in china thing you showed, but when I looked on the truck it self it was that switch. My issue was a bad coil or bad coil wires. The seal on the firewall was bad (for when you shut the hood) and when it rains water runs down and drips on the coil rusting the bracket and the coil screws. Also the connector and wires were very corroded and the coil wire to the distributor was old and crappy. I ordered a new coil, coil wire was changed when I did a tune up and the connector and wires that plug into the coil are new. Truck runs fine.

[@nicholashardesty9695]

Does the temp gauge work the same way?

[@terryatwell5017]

Very informative. I have the same issue. Mine is a 1995 F-150. If I replace the pressure switch with a sending unit and bypass the resistor then the issue should be resolved if I understand correctly. What kind of sending unit would I buy?

[@caseypaiva5206]

I have had a 96 F250 gifted to me from my grandfather who said it lost oil pressure So he stop driving in about a decade ago. I was about to order a new motor for it figuring and lost oil pressure is probably cooked. Come to find out the goddamn gauge Is shot there’s probably nothing wrong with this fucking thing what a shame looks like it’s about to be my new daily driver

[@carlb9183]

Wondering if you would know if the high pitch whine I hear behind my cluster is related to the oil pressure indicator not working? The needle hangs straight down.

[@gmax341]

Mine started reading a bit higher after topping off the oil. Can't wait to do the mod.

[@dragonrider9051]

Is there a pdf of the electrical diagrams for these trucks, or where can I go to get one for a 1995 5.0 F-150?

[@joshuapierce8891]

I'm going through the exact same thing and I'm just wanting to swap with an actual aftermarket oil pressure guage setup

[@jeffreycasto4610]

I have a 1988 Ford 350 with 460 where is the oil pressure switch located on the engine I can't find it

[@jimmyspears1004]

Thank you for sharing I was getting lil worried. The starter went out an I park it for a week I put a new starter on it. It start cold but it gets warm it wont start back.

[@Electric-Bob]

Why does the Temperature Gauge peg all the way Right!?

[@catfisher420]

I have a 91 f150 5.8L I noticed my oil pressure gauge went from the R down to bellow the N and I found I only had 2 quarts of oil in the engine. I did an oil change and now the truck doesn't like to start and the oil gauge only goes up to the O now and drops bellow the N when driving. Should I be worried? No knocking or ticking. Just weird that it doesn't like to start now and gauge is lower than it always has been.

[@ajblanco8308]

I like to know the 20 ohm resistor what watt you need to install I like to install a new one my read below 20 ohms

[@paversgeneral5129]

Thank you so much you fix my problem I have f350 7.3 97

[@loydheckenlively603]

I would like your opinion I have a 95 Bronco my oil sending unit went out I replaced it the gauge work and then all of a sudden went wacky it would go to low oil pressure then as soon as I led up on the gas pedal as I was driving it would go right to the centeright to the center so that I put my foot back on the pedal at all it would go back to lower oil pressure I'm not hearing no knocking in the motor it runs good but it will Engages I don't know what's going on with it could you please explain or tell me what I should do thank you

[@2014dalton]

I’ve got a 89 bronco 5.0l. When the engine is cold the gauge will sit spot on. After my truck gets to the operating temp it’ll twitch slightly in neutral but if I drop it in gear it’ll slowly twitch down until I give it some gas. It’ll drop so low the engine light will come on. The engine doesn’t get noisy tho. I’ve changed my sending unit (switch). What would you recommend? Thanks in advance.

[@jwlandscape]

If the oil level is good. I would recommend putting a real gauge on it to see what it's actually doing.

[@ericisbill5172]

Enjoyed the oil pressure video. Can I please contact you with a couple of 1995 F150 questions?

[@woodyguilkey4047]

Great job man thank you

[@jrelated1]

Does the same apply to the needle pointing higher? Like to the Lnin normal?

[@MegaRiffraff]

Where did u get the good sending unit

[@MrBlackbutang]

Verify with mechanical gauge by removing sensors! Don’t use Teflon tape on threads!

[@CJINW]

Where is the switch in the truck?

[@Justin-kx3jh]

I bought a switch from napa and my oil pressure gauge went lower. No knocking or ticking. I'm starting to wonder if it's the gauge itself. But I also noticed that the gauge fluctuates from before n to o. Does this sound like a gauge issue? It's the factory style switch

[@iwilldieforhim]

Same story here. Was super low, changed the pressure switch, dropped to zero (in the red). Engine didn’t overheat. Oil level good. Thought it may be sludge but it isn’t.

[@MrBlackbutang]

Ford bean counters. Better ideas 😂

[@dakotaflexin5449]

If i have weak batteries could that mess with it ?

[@donspencer2110]

Is there a similar situation with the fuel gauge? I have a 1993 Ford Ranger with both the fuel gauge and oil pressure gauge not working. They are situated on the right side of the tach.

[@jwlandscape]

You can test the oil pressure gauge by grounding the wire that runs to it and turning on the ignition. The gauge should sit at or close to the proper position. If it doesn't do anything you may want to start checking grounds. I'm not familiar with the wiring on the ranger enough to say if the fuel gauge and oil pressure gauge are on the same circuit and the both not working is related.

[@donspencer2110]

I just removed the instrument cluster and saw that there's what looks like a vurned diode. I reinstalled it and the oil gauge now works. the fuel gauge which was stuck near half is now down to almost on #. I did replace the fuol pump assembly recently. So I'm going to fill the fuel tank and see if the gauge now works. Thanks for your reply.

[@donspencer2110]

@@jwlandscape I went and filled the gas tank with fuel, and it seems as if the gauge is now working.

[@jwlandscape]

Nice job!

[@nick7.3]

What if mine is always flickering against the L

[@nickpietrzyk4565]

My guage seems to be stuck in the normal range even with the truck and key off

[@nickpietrzyk4565]

95 f350 7.3

[@tcmotovlogs994]

What if it spins up and down fast

[@claywhitehead5923]

I have a 1989 f150 5.8 an I'll fire it up an get warm an it never moves an I'll drive it an it's fine bit when I come to a stop the oil hand will drop to nothing like turned the truck off but when I go to take off it comes back up to normal?

[@loganreynolds2185]

Yes that’s happening to my truck. It’s a 1990 f150 with a 5.0 and does the same thing. Did you figure out what it was I’m looking for answers?

[@knoxcrider9835]

Ed are you watching this

[@gmax341]

👌

[@MegaRiffraff]

I have to tap on mine to get it to move

[@gregmcdonald9137]

I put in a manual

[@MrJeep75]

87 to 96 is all the same