2004 GMC Yukon Logo
Posted on Jan 12, 2010
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Low oil pressure

Oil gauge is reading low oil pressure i got an oil change and it still did not change

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Bruce Bracey

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  • GMC Master 1,000 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 12, 2010
Bruce Bracey
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You didn't mention the actual pressure but an engine requires as low as 6 psi when the engine is idling and 15 to 20 psi while driving at higway speeds. Your Yukon requires a 5w-30 weight oil. If the oil used is correct, you will want to have the pressure sending unit and gauge checked.
A mechanic will install a "mechanical" oil pressure gauge tester on the engine to find out what the actual oil pressure is. If the mechanical tester says the oil pressure is good, he will then begin to diagnose the electrical pressure gauge system.
If on the other hand, the mechanical gauge verifies the pressure is still low, he must diagnose the engine mechanical problem that is causing the low pressure issue.
Good luck.

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  • Master 1,608 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 12, 2010
Anonymous
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If the engine is not making any noise.It is probably the oil sending unit that is defective.If you want to be sure you will have to install a pressure gauge and check the pressure when the vehicle is at normal operating temperature.If it is above 10 psi then replace the sending unit.It is located on the back of the motor on the block by the left cylinder head.You might need a special socket for it.Hope this helps.Good luck.

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3 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 5 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 19, 2009

SOURCE: oil pressure gauge reads 80 while running

could be one of two things, oil pressure switch (located on top of engine behind intake) or instrument panel cluster, if your vehicle has under 70,000 miles, it's covered under warrenty

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Anonymous

  • 59 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 01, 2010

SOURCE: low oil pressure 93 GMC P/U w/350 motor w/205,000 miles gauge

While engine is running, open the cover where you add oil to engine and see if you see a good flow of oil, if good flow, could be as easy as replacing oil sending sensor. got to realize that if poor maintenance history your engine may not be building enough pressure at iddle to move your hydraulic operated valves, only when you rev it up it will pump enough to run smooth. if running engine too long, you may cause more damage to other engine components such as crankshaft and cam shaft bearings. if you can spare a few bucks, have a good mechanic check your oil pressure with a mechanical gauge. another cheap option is to replace oil pump. last resort if you love your truck as much as we do,replace engine or rebuild it. At 205,000 this is a normal symptom, other than timing chain problems, most engines don't make it that far. hope this helps!

wyet_helps

wyet

  • 510 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 04, 2011

SOURCE: 2003 Sierra Pickup 4.8 V8, oil pressure reading

{: ) The engine oil pressure sensor is on the left rear side of the engine block. Remove first the intake manifold sight shield (cover). The 3 wires all go to the powertrain control module (PCM).
Black = low reference ; Gray = 5v reference ; Tan/White = oil pressure signal.


wyet_helps_19.gif On the other hand, the oil level sensor has two wires; Black/White = ground (G103); Brown = oil level signal going to the PCM. See sample diagram below:

wyet_helps_20.gif The PCM monitors the input signals coming from these two sensors, and it will communicate to the cluster (IPC) through Class2 serial data line. The IPC will then indicate the corresponding values on the pressure gauge and will also indicate a warning lamp or message when necessary.

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I have a dodge avenger 3.5 the oil sensor is on

First, check the oil level. Is it the oil service light? If so have the oil changed and reset the monitor. If it is indicating low oil pressure you will need to put a manual gauge where the pressure sensor is and get a reading. If reading is ok then put in a new sensor. If manual gauge shows low or no pressure the tow to a shop. Better yet , take it to a shop asap.
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Has 358000 miles, just had leaks repaired. Twice since my oil pressure gauge reads no pressure but not all the time? Why

1. Oil Pressure Gauge Not Working You will notice this happens when your oil pressure gauge is not reading, whether the engine is turned off, idle or running. Try to step on the gas to rev up the engine. If the oil pressure gauge still doesn't change its reading, your gauge is busted. It's best to replace it as soon as possible because you won't have any idea if your car is already overheating or not.
2. Oil Pressure Gauge Reading Too Low When your engine is idle, the oil pressure gauge will have a low reading. When the engine starts running or when you're already cruising or on the freeway, your gauge's reading should have increased. If it stays on a low reading, then you now your oil pressure gauge is broken.
3. Oil Pressure Gauge Reading Too High Another common oil pressure gauge problem is when your oil pressure gauge is reading too high when your engine is idle or when it's turned off. Rep
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Low oil cause low oil pressure

No, the oil level nothing to do with the pressure.
If you have low pressure, check the sender unit, check the pressure with a mechanical gauge, if still low, check the pump
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How can i fix the oil pump

see this tips and fix it. God bless you
The oil pump supplies oil to lubricate your engine. If the oil pump is worn or is not turning, the engine will suffer a loss of oil pressure, which may result in engine damage or engine failure.
The first sign of trouble may be a low oil pressure warning light, a drop in the normal reading on you oil pressure gauge (if your car has one), or the appearance of ticking or clattering sounds from your engine.
As a rule, most engines only need about 10 PSI of oil pressure for every 1,000 RPM of engine speed. Oil pressure will read higher than normal when a cold engine is first started because the oil is thick. Oil pressure will gradually drop as the engine warms up and the oil thins out. So normal oil pressure on a warm engine cruising down the highway is typically 30 PSI up to 45 PSI.
SYMPTOMS OF OIL PUMP TROUBLE
The first thing you should do if any of these symptoms occur is to stop your car, turn off the engine, let it sit for a few minutes, then check the oil level on the dipstick. If the oil level is at or below the ADD line, add a quart of oil to bring the level back up to the full mark. Add as much oil as is needed to raise the level to the full mark. Then restart the engine. If the warning light remains on, or the oil pressure reading does not climb back up to its normal range, or the engine noise does not go away, you may have a bad oil pump.
The other possibilities include a bad oil pressure sending unit, or a problem with the oil pressure warning light circuit or oil pressure gauge.
OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT
If the engine is NOT making any unusual noises and seems to be running normally, and the oil level on the dipstick is FULL, but you are still getting a low oil pressure warning light or low gauge reading, the fault could be a bad oil pressure sending unit.
The oil pressure sending unit is mounted on the engine block. On some applications, there is a spring-loaded pressure-sensitive diaphragm with a switch inside the sending unit. This switch completes the circuit to the low oil pressure warning light if oil pressure drops below a certain threshold. The unit may stop working if the diaphragm inside fails, if the switch is stuck, if the small hole that allows oil to enter the sending unit becomes plugged, if there is a loose, corroded or broken wiring connector at the sending unit, or there is a fault in the wiring circuit between the sending unit and warming light.
On vehicles that have an oil pressure gauge (electronic, not mechanical), the oil pressure sending unit has a small rheostat inside that sends a variable voltage signal to the oil pressure gauge when the diaphragm moves. A worn spot on the rheostat or any of the other problems just described for the simple pressure-type oil pressure switches can cause a problem.
FORD'S FAKE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE
On many Ford vehicles that were built from 1980 through the 1990s, the oil pressure sending unit has two switches, a low pressure and a high pressure. These vehicles also have an oil pressure gauge, but the reading on the gauge is not a true indication of real oil pressure. As long as the pressure to the sending unit is between high and low, the gauge will read normal. If oil pressure drops and trips the low pressure switch, the dash gauge will now read low. Or, if oil pressure goes up and trips the high switch inside the sending unit, the dash gauge will read high. Consequently, don't rely on the oil pressure gauge for an accurate reading in these vehicles. It is only a gross indication if the oil pressure is low, normal or high.
OIL GAUGE PROBLEMS
If the engine is NOT making any unusual noises and seems to be running normally, the oil level on the dipstick is FULL, and you have replaced the oil pressure sending unit but are still getting a low oil pressure reading on the dash gauge, the fault could be in the wiring circuit between the sending unit and gauge, or the gauge itself might be bad.
Check the wiring connections on both ends as well as wiring continuity between the sending unit and gauge. If no wiring faults are found, hook up a pressure gauge directly to the oil pressure port on the engine and check oil pressure with the engine running. If the engine-mounted gauge shows normal oil pressure but the dash gauge is reading low, the problem is a bad dash gauge.
On the other hand, if the engine-mounted pressure gauge reads low and you have done all of the above, chances are the oil pump is worn, or it is not picking up enough oil because of a restriction or blockage in the pickup screen in the bottom of the crankcase.
OIL PUMP PICKUP PROBLEMS
The pickup tube has a screen on the end to prevent large chunks of anything bad that ends up in the crankcase from being sucked into the pump. But we are talking BIG chunks of debris, not normal wear particles or carbon or dust or other microscopic-sized abrasive particles that can cause pump wear over time.
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How do I check and possibly replace the engine oil pressure sensor in a 2006 GMC Envoy Denali?

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  1. While the engine is cold, locate and remove the oil pressure sending unit.
  2. Following the manufacturer's instructions, connect a mechanical oil pressure gauge and, if necessary, a tachometer to the engine.
  3. Start the engine and allow it to idle.
  4. Note and record the oil pressure reading when the engine is cold. The engine may need to run at a specified RPM, if so check the vehicle's specification.
  5. Run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached.
  6. Check the oil pressure reading again with the engine hot and record the value. Turn off the engine.
Compare the hot oil pressure reading to the specification. If the reading is low, check the cold pressure reading against the specification. If the cold pressure is well above the specification, and the hot reading was lower than the specification, the engine may have the wrong viscosity oil. Change the oil, making sure to use the proper grade and quantity, and then repeat the test.
Low oil pressure readings could be attributed to internal component wear, pump related problems, a low oil level, or oil viscosity that is too low. High oil pressure readings could be caused by an overfilled crankcase, too high of an oil viscosity or a faulty pressure relief valve.
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Where is the oil pressure sensor located on a 1996 murcury cougar

Look for the oil pressure sending unit on the block or the cylinder head on the V-6 or V-8 models. --- OIL PRESSURE TEST Check for proper oil pressure at the sending unit passage with an externally mounted mechanical oil pressure gauge (as opposed to relying on a factory installed dash-mounted gauge). A tachometer may also be needed, as some specifications may require running the engine at a specific rpm.
  1. With the engine cold, locate and remove the oil pressure sending unit.
  2. Following the manufacturer's instructions, connect a mechanical oil pressure gauge and, if necessary, a tachometer to the engine.
  3. Start the engine and allow it to idle.
  4. Check the oil pressure reading when cold and record the number. You may need to run the engine at a specified rpm, so check the specifications.
  5. Run the engine until normal operating temperature is reached (upper radiator hose will feel warm).
  6. Check the oil pressure reading again with the engine hot and record the number. Turn the engine OFF.
  7. Compare your hot oil pressure reading to specification. If the reading is low, check the cold pressure reading against the chart. If the cold pressure is well above the specification, and the hot reading was lower than the specification, you may have the wrong viscosity oil in the engine. Change the oil, making sure to use the proper grade and quantity, then repeat the test. Low oil pressure readings could be attributed to internal component wear, pump related problems, a low oil level, or oil viscosity that is too low. High oil pressure readings could be caused by an overfilled crankcase, too high of an oil viscosity or a faulty pressure relief valve.
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Low oil presure

perform a master oil pressure test. this is done by removing the oil pressure sending unit and installing a oil pressure gauge. if the reading on the test gauge is ok, the sending unit needs to be replaced. if the pressure reads low on the test gauge, there may be excessive bearing wear or you may have worn valve guides. good luck!
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Low oil pressure light is on

Until u have a mechanical test gauge hooked up to verify the oil pressure is ok assume it is not a good idea to drive, low oil press will destroy a $4000.00 engine very quickly.
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Oil gauge goes up and down.

If grounding the dash does not work, try putting a mechanical gauge on it and reading actual oil pressure. Pressure does change while driving, but should not wander. With mechanical gauge, check that running hot at idle (in gear if automatic) pressure should not drop lower than 15psi (I'd rather see 20) High reading should be around 40 -50 but no higher.Low pressure indicates a loss of supply or bad bearing on the crankshaft, high pressure may be caused by sticking pressure relief or restriction in an oil passage.
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Oil pressure gauge

Low oil pressure is generally caused by internal engine bearing wear, not a "bad" oil pump... Pumps become "bad" when debris from a failed component gets into it, causing damage. (exception being pressure regulator spring/plunger assembly becoming clogged with gunk in engines that do not get proper maintenance; likely not your case)
Were there any tapping noises coming from engine when pressure was low? If not, The most common problem is the pressure sending unit, sending bad info to the warning light. If passage going to it or internal passage is gunked up, this problem usually disappears when oil is changed. sometimes the sender just goes bad, in which case, change it.
To get a proper diagnosis on your problem, have someone put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on it. This will read the actual oil pressure and will tell you a lot about the condition of your engine!
I have never seen a valve job that corrected any oil pressure problem. I mistrust anyone who would even think that!!!
Mlinimum low pressure at idle is 15 psi Max is about 60psi running (higher can explode an oil filter) A reading of 15psi indicates the beginning of a problem. although considered "safe" it is not good.
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