1994 Ford Explorer oil pump and/or oil pressure sending uni

PUTZCAT

MEMBER
1994 FORD EXPLORER

1994 Ford Explorer 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 189, xx miles

My son could probably explain this more clearer but I am going to try my best. While driving to my designation I had glanced down at my dash. I noticed the oil gauge needle was darn close to high. I never saw this before. Nor did my check engine light come on but for a bit then went off though needle stayed towards high. Had to get back home, checked fluids after leaving designation and all was good. At one time and only one time I hit a bump and needle bounced back towards left but then back to high. When getting home, I finally got a hold of son and he told me not to drive, was thinking it might be a oil pump. Today he mentioned something about problem being possibly sending unit cuz of how I said needle jumped. Could he be right? What could be the problem? Whatever it is, will it be costly. Curious, where is the oil pump and the oil pressure sending unit on this auto of mine. Hope to hear from you very soon!

3 Replies

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

It is the oil pressure switch, cost $10 at O'Reilly

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Saturday, February 7th, 2009 AT 12:43 AM

ZACKMAN

MECHANIC
4,202 POSTS

[quote]Zack,

Lol, feels like I'm talkin' to my son; his name is Zachery, sometimes Zack, buddies sometimes call him Zackman. Anyhow, tyvm for your quick response! As well, I have honored your response and left message on my sons phone. Tho' as I wait for his response, a thought/concern came to mind....If I had not mentioned anything about the needle jumping when hitting a bump and only spoke of needle on oil pressure gauge was at "H" would your diagnosis still be the same? How ' bout if I would of explained this way....after many days of not driving, turn on ignition and needle still goes to "H"....Would your diagnosis still be the same?....If not, what could be the problem and how costly?....Hope to hear from you soon! [quote]

1. If I had not mentioned anything about the needle jumping when hitting a bump and only spoke of needle on oil pressure gauge was at "H" would your diagnosis still be the same? ***Yes. The reason is that usually the sending unit is the one to go out. Secondly, if the oil pump goes bad, 99 out of 100 times, you will have low or zero pressure, not the other way around.***

2. after many days of not driving, turn on ignition and needle still goes to "H"....Would your diagnosis still be the same?.... ***Still yes. If the vehicle has not been driven for a few days, you usually will see low oil pressure for the few minutes, while the oil runs throughout the engine, and will go to normal once the engine is warm.***

I maintain that you replace the sensor as it is way cheaper than replacing the pump, and it is very easy to get to.

Your oil pump is located inside the oil pan, at the bottom of the engine block. Removal of oil pan is necessary to get to the oil pump.