The oil pressure gauge is, of course, not a gauge; it is a glorified idiot light.

But I wonder: could it be made a variable meter by substituting a sending unit from a real gauge? It would not give psi readouts, of course, but you could see any untoward variations in expected pressure going on.

Anybody know?

Pilgrim

 

Well, the sensor probably varies a voltage. The gauge would then be a voltmeter. If you change the window of voltage the sensor puts out you wouldn't really know what psi it maps to when the gauge reads it. If that makes any sense

Not only that but the PCM uses the sensor to read oil pressure. If you go changing the sensor the PCM would probably freak out.

 

Thanks for the response.

I may be imagining that this is simpler than it really is. I was assuming that the sending unit is a simple ON/OFF switch, like they used to be. Yeah, they vary the voltage: it's a purely digital variance; on, or off.

My thought is that by putting in an analog sensor, the voltage would vary according to oil pressure, and thus vary what shows up on the gauge. Yeah, that turns the gauge into a voltmeter, but it's a voltmeter that reflects the state of the oil pressure.

But you may be right about confusing the PCM. I hadn't thought about the signal going through the computer.

Still - does anyone know?

Pilgrim

 

cant do it that way. just add an aftermarket sender/guage.

 

OEM is a pressure switch, not a pressure guage