Oil gage pegged?

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likeamojay
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Oil gage pegged?

Post by likeamojay »

After having my '00 Bonneville SSEi air conditioner fixed by my local dealer, they said my oil pressure gage was pegged. The needle is always pointing to 120 PSI, which is obviously wrong. It wasn't pegged until I dropped it off at the dealer. It's no doubt they did something. But they refuse to acknowledge their mistake and instead want me to pay more to have it fixed. Is there any way I can recalibrate the needle on my own? Do I need to replace a sensor?
Last edited by likeamojay on Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by swampthing »

it could be entirely a coincidence that is a very common failure on the bonneville. it is your oil pressure sensor, it goes out and the needle defaults to 120PSI it can be fixed at home however I do not know how difficult it is since mine was repaired in the shop when I first bought the car
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by 00Beast »

It is the oil pressure sensor. It's a $30 part, and takes a half hour to replace. The hardest part is access. It's directly above the oil filter, and it's hard to get your hand and a wrench in there.
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by laxmangl »

Its REALLY REALLY easy! I can nearly guarantee that it is the oil pressure sending unit. They can be bought for around 30 bucks and installed in about 5 minutes (not including the time to take off the front passenger side tire)
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by likeamojay »

Great. Anyone know where I can get the $30 sensor part? Anyone know of any tutorials on the site here that I can use as a visual aid?
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by Black Pearl »

If you have ramps and the specialty socket it can be done in fifteen minutes and without taking the pass. wheel off. You will lose a small amount of oil. You can get the sensor at any part store.
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by likeamojay »

I have a hydraulic jack that can hold 2 tons I normally use to change the oil and replace the oil filter. Would I be able to reach the sensor without taking off the passenger wheel and without replacing the oil filter?
Last edited by likeamojay on Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by 00Beast »

Yes. It's hard to get to, but do-able from the bottom. It's above the filter on the oil filter adapter. You should be able to use the new one to tell you what to replace. Do you have jackstands? I don't trust being under a vehicle that's only supported by jacks. If someone bumps the handle, the pump fails, etc. you're squished. If you have stands I would use them.
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by likeamojay »

yes I have 2 jackstands they hold up to 4 tons. Then I have a jack lift that holds up to 2 tons. So if the 2 ton fails, I won't have to worry about being flattened.
Last edited by likeamojay on Wed Oct 07, 2009 11:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by 00ssei »

You really dont need to change it unless it bothers you. I know its not big bucks to do, but I've had that problem since i bought my car and im living with it, its just a guage :/ as long as you know your oil is changed in the right time and you have no leaks or engine symptoms, then i say live with it.
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by harofreak00 »

00ssei wrote:You really dont need to change it unless it bothers you. I know its not big bucks to do, but I've had that problem since i bought my car and im living with it, its just a guage :/ as long as you know your oil is changed in the right time and you have no leaks or engine symptoms, then i say live with it.
I disagree. Knowing the oil pressure of your engine is vital. If its dipping to low, that is an engine symptom.
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Re: Oil gage pegged?

Post by 00Beast »

harofreak00 wrote:
00ssei wrote:You really dont need to change it unless it bothers you. I know its not big bucks to do, but I've had that problem since i bought my car and im living with it, its just a guage :/ as long as you know your oil is changed in the right time and you have no leaks or engine symptoms, then i say live with it.
I disagree. Knowing the oil pressure of your engine is vital. If its dipping to low, that is an engine symptom.
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There is a reason the car has those gauges, so you can monitor what your engine is doing. If you don't know what's going on, then you are just asking for trouble.
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