i aint the best mechanic in the world... so where about would the oil sensor be located.. right on the engine somewhere maybe?

 

the other day i checked the pcv valve.I pulled it out and shook it reinstalled it and remove the side coming from intake some oil came out and puthat back.Wierd thing it stopped the jumpy guage and helped with pinging.

 

On my 2002 its on the back of the engine block towards firewall.

 

I'm going to jump in on this one. My Ranger's oil gauge needle started jumping this week too. It's a 2000 XLT 4x4 with the 4 liter engine. The Oil Pressure switch/sending unit is on the left side of the engine block towards the front. I couldn't see it from above; only from underneath. Replaced it but it made no difference. There's also a ticking that sounds like when a kid puts a playing card in the spokes of his bicycle. I don't know if the two are related or not. My ABS light came on this week, too.

For the past few years during cold weather when I would start the truck, the oil gauge would stay at zero for a minute or two, then spring to normal. The fluttering started this week, and additionally it will sometimes even stay steady at zero for a while at times, and occasionally goes back to normal. It looks like no one has figured it out yet from what I've read in this post but I just wanted to chime in. Thanks for listening.

Mark

 

I have a 2000 XLT 2WD 3.0 ltr. My oil gauge did that also. I bought it last January. Until late March when I would first start it it would read zero for a minute or so and then "jump" violently to mid pressure. It has stopped doing it since it got warm. Then last night was cruising at 45 and noticed that the needle was swinging from nothing to mid range. I didn't notice any other issues just the needle.

 

Clean your throttle bodyRemove hose and place a rock or have someone press accelerator pedal down,and clean flap and inside throttle body and intake real good.Use Sea Foam deep Creap.Squirt like half or whole can. Follow the directions.
I did this and no more oil gage flicker coming to stop.Your engine is stalling thats why gage is flickering.Your exhaust will smoke just like when you put seafoam thru the brake booster.It will get rid of carbon buildup.But wipe off both sides of flap real good,because this is what I believe is causing the problem because carbon is built up on flap.

 

My oil pressure guage needle was jumpy on my 2002 also. It ran and still runs fine (128,000 miles). It actually jumped and pegged past the post on the guage. TWICE. First time I had it fixed, second time (75,00 miles ago) did nothing and she's still going.

 

The oil pressure guage is a "dummy" guage.
The sensor (really a switch) activates at ~ 6 - 8 psi , and the guage is preset to always read midrange when the pressure gets to that.

 

Anyone thought of faulty aftermarket oil filters? I had issues before with cheaper filters clogging and losing oilf pressure. try another brand filter and see if it still shows issues.

 

Well I lost my connecting rod on Piston #1 so I am doing a basic overhaul. The pickup screen on the oil pump is very gunked up and that may be why the oil gauge stopped working, the gunk may be reducing oil pressuer enough to affect the oil sending switch. I'm replacing the oil pump and pickup arm but keeping the same sending unit switch, so I will let you know if the gauge starts working again. This is a side-project so it may take a few weeks to get it rebuilt so be patient.

 

I am new to the forum, but my 02 3.0 edge is doing the same thing. I have the jumpy oil pressure switch and also a rough idle at idle only. It runs fine when I am excelerating but at a stop sign or a red light it is running rough. I have changed the plugs, wires, coil pack and the PCV valve. My next thing was the EGR valve. I also went to O'Riellys and was sold a valve, only to find out my truck doesn't actually have one. I am not sure what to do next. Any suggestions?

Gary

 

My oil guage dont work. I replaced the sending unit , and the dash cluster still dosent work, no wierd noises or pings so it must be getting oil, any ideas would be great.

 

After reading through i couldnt really see a for sure fix. I have a 02 3.0l automatic about 136k miles on it and ive noticed my gauge flickering after being on the highway and coming to a stop on an exit ramp. i figure it might just be a faulty gauge because i was monitoring the oil with routine oil changes. Today as i was coming home going down side streets my car stalled out on me. After turning it off i started it again and it started up just fine. Not sure if the two are related but this if the first time it has stalled after owning it a little over a year.

 

how long since you replaced the fuel filter on your ranger

a jumpy oil pressure gauge is a sign of impending oil pump failure

 

I know the fuel pump was replaced in 2014 before i bought it i believe but does that affect the oil? Or is there an oil pump that i should check out somewhere?

 

I am replacing head gaskets on my Ranger--instructions say step 1 torque --step 2 loosen one complete turn--question is do you loosen all bolts 1 turn then retorque per step 3 or do you loosen
1 bolt at a time then retorque per step 3

 

NO! not the fuel pump THE fuel FILTER

the oil pump is inside the engine , and can only accessed by removing the oil pan

 

I have an 01 Ranger Xlt manual trans. Ive had a similar issue with my oil pressure guage jumping. I replaced the oil pressure sensor today, but it didn't fix the problem. Still jumping. I've read for hours online to find a solution, and found this forum. What else could cause this problem to continue? I need help. The check engine light comes on when the guage flickers. I can't get it inspected until I fix this since it won't pass inspection because check engine light comes on. Can anyone help, please?

 

BE FORE WARNED!!! this may cause even more problems BUT!!!

the engines oil passages have become clogged with caked / baked on oil

drain the oil , and run 5 liters of ATF fluid through the engine

( old schoolers do this trick to clean out their engines , the atf fluid disolves baked on oil and cleans out oil passages

you will need several cheap oil filters and 1 good quality WIX oil filter , plus 5 liters of good quality oil

as well as 5 liters of any type of ATF fluid

 

Thanks. When you say run atf fluid through the engine, what exactly do you mean? Drive it around with atf fluid in it for a short period of time? What kind of problem that you mentioned could this cause? Thanks for your help!

 

NO!!!!

there should not be any load placed on the engine at all , vehicle must be stationary ( in park )

although ATF fluid is a lubricant as well , it does not lubricate as good as oil does

 

Ok thanks. How long should I let it idle with the atf fluid in it before I drain it?

 

let the engine idle for 30 minutes , sit in the cab and keep an eye on the dash for the engine oil light

if it does illuminate , shut engine down quickly and replace the oil filter with another cheap 1

let the atf fluid remain in the engine overnight , the atf fluid will dissolve any sludge that sits in the bottom of the oil pan

restart engine and let it idle for 10 minutes occasionaly reving the engine for 2 second intervals

 

Did anyone ever figure this out? I have an 02 ford ranger edge 3.0 . 187k miles. Ive been driving it with a jumpy oil guage for probably three years now.
It runs fairly smooth, but a little rough at idle.
it's driving me nuts at this point, because it doesnt just jump around at idle anymore, but I drive the truck from Orlando to Tampa and back and she just keeps on running.
anyway I was gonna start with replacing the sender but after reading this thread I'm not sure I even want to start down this rabbit hole.

 

I have a 2003 Ranger with a 3.0 automatic and last week at about 288K miles I started it in the morning and I noticed that my oil pressure switch was flickering violently for a few seconds and stopped at the normal level.

Throughout the day I noticed that as I came to a stop and the RPM was at idle it would start flickering again until the RPM was raised to about 900 or 950. I checked the oil level and it was fine.

I ordered a Motorcraft SW-8368 / GC3Z-9278-B switch/sending unit.

On my engine the oil pressure switch is located in the back of the engine on the passenger side close to the firewall. I replaced it and the flickering stopped and I have 289K miles now so I have put about 1K miles on it already and the flickering stopped.

I hope this helps anyone else that is having a flickering oil pressure gage.