quick question on troubleshooting oil pressure gauge.

[treepete]

Hi guys.

My question is probably easy for someone here. my oil gauge is constantly reading the same reading. waaaay to the right or above 60 ( or at 3oclock about) never moves.. truck on or off its the same.
I know its either the gauge malfunctioning or whatever is on the other end of the wire. is there a simple way for me to test the gauge itself with a DMM and a power supply?   i.e. hit it with 2 volts and it should read 20 and 3.5 volts should read 60 or something?

also if the gauge is working ok, what is the next item I should be looking for to evaulate?

thanks,
Pete

[Irish_Alley]

I'm guessing its a stock oil pressure gauge ? if so i would try to swap it out with one you know works or think works i cant tell you exactly how to test but that would be my approach

[VileZambonie]

Key on engine off, check the wire at the sending unit. If it's connected disconnect and ground the wire and observe the gauge.

[treepete]

can you tell me where this sending unit is located? Im sorry Im still familiarizing myself with the trucks engine area. ( i started my career with the interior)

[82k5diesel]

On the back of the engine to the drivers side of the distrib.

[Irish_Alley]

i thought it was the one on the passenger side of the block? looks like this or is that one for the ecm

[82k5diesel]

That looks the same as mine. All my sbc have it on the drivers side of the distrib. But im sure there is other places they have put them.

[treepete]

I feel so stupid.. I dont see it on either side.

[frogman68]

Our 84 has it down by the oil pan on the passenger side right by the starter not sure what year the engine is.

[eventhorizon66]

It could also be on the driver side of the block above the oil filter.  But mine is in the back next to the distributor as 82k5diesel posted and looks like the pic Irish_Alley posted.

LOL, maybe the problem is you ain't got one installed.

[treepete]

found it. what color wire should be hooked up to it. there is no wire attached to the top.

[treepete]

ok got it. the wire was laying across the top of the transmission housing.
thanks for your helps dudes. 

Pete
awesomeness

[82k5diesel]

No prob! So is your guage wokin?

[eventhorizon66]

ok got it. the wire was laying across the top of the transmission housing.
thanks for your helps dudes. 

Pete
awesomeness

Your name is Pete Awesomeness.  Cool, I'm jealous.

[treepete]

I wish my name was Pete Awesomeness. lol

yeah it works great now. someone must have disconnected it for something and never put it back on. I plugged it back in and 'boink' works fine now.

Now the temp gauge, but Ill make that a different thread.