change an oil sending unit?

It depends on how hard the sending unit is to get at/location. My database doesn't have labor time info for that part. If it is easy to get at, you take the electrical connector loose, screw out the old sending unit, screw in the new one, reconnect. This is just generic info, I do realize you wanted more than that.

Can I ask why you are asking?

Well here is the problem i am having now: When i start my van up it takes a while for the oil pressure gauge to get to where it needs to be.. I'm thinking it maybe the oil pressure switch is because old warmer days when i start my van up the oil pressure gauge works fine...

Also it is good to be back on this site.. i keep having password issue trying to get back on here.. and the last question i had about my window not being able to roll down i can't find that page at all etc.. But anyway it is good to be back!!!
:-D

Hey WARREN1814,

It sounds more like a problem with the oil filter or a restriction in the oil pickup in the oil pan.

When was the last oil and filter change?

If you would like to replace the oil pressure sender i have attached a picture showing the location.

Once you have ruled out the oil, filter and pressure sender i would advise carrying out a pressure check at the pressure sender port from cold and seeing what you have there.

If the pressure is actually low then the next stage may be to remove the oil pan and check the pickup strainer.

If the pressure is actually ok then you will need to pinpoint the electrical fault.

Regards, Joe

Hey WARREN1814,

Below are the instructions for removing the oil pan for you to check out.

It is a fairly involved job on these vehicles.

There fore you will want to rule out all other options before removing the pan to check.

Regards, Joe

Hey guys thank you so much for answering my question. and okay, i will check on the oil filter and have it check for any restrictions The last time i had my oil changed was just last year.. and i don't remember buying a oil filter so i am pretty sure it needs to be changed as well. But what makes it work in warmer weather days and not work so good when its cold out side? Seems like it wouldn't work well on hot days too,etc. But i will have those things checked. :-) was number 13 in the first picture the oil pressure switch? Will i mess up something if i keep driving like this for too long? I will keep you updated ASAP...

Hey WARREN1814,

Any restriction in the oil delivery system will be harder for the oil to pass when the oil is thicker at low temperatures. Hence the slow build up of pressure.

Driving with low oil pressure will cause premature wear to internal engine components.

It is vital to ensure you have the correct oil pressure at all times when the engine is running.

I would at least get the engine oil and filter changed as soon as you can.

Let us know how this goes.

Regards, Joe

Will do. hey, that's all i needed to hear right there. It's due for a oil change soon anyway so i might as well get it done. And thank you for explaining that to me. :-)

Hey WARREN1814,

No problem at all. Please do keep us updated if this cures your oil pressure issue.

Thank you for using 2CarPros!

Any further vehicle related questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Regards, Joe

Okay, i had my oil filter and oil changed and when i started up my van (from a cold start) the oil pressure gauge did not move at all. so i turned it off and then on again for the second time i got the same thing. But on the third start my oil pressure gauge moved to where it is suppose to be. But i notice it didn't take as long for it to move like it did before the oil and oil filter change. Before i start having someone looking into my oil pan i am going to change my oil pressure switch first since it cost the less. I will keep you guys updated.

Hey WARREN1814,

I would say that's a great idea.

Was it just after the oil change that the gauge responded this way.
What i mean by this was had you just changed the oil and filter and this was the first start attempt after the change?

If so it takes a couple of seconds for the new filter to bleed and the pressure to build.

If it now builds pressure straight after you start it i would say it is okay.

If you are still getting variable readings from the oil pressure gauge i would say replacing the switch is a good idea.

Before removing the oil pan and getting more involved i would say attaching an oil pressure gauge and getting an actual reading of the oil pressure from cold would rule would mean you can pinpoint the issue to the oil pressure system itself or the sensor/gauge system.

Let us know how you go after the replacement switch.

Regards, Joe

Yes, after i had the oil change and filter started right up after leaving the store the pressure seemed to be normal and then the next day i went to start it and it did how i described in my last reply. So i went to go to church today and then it started all over again. the pressure started at zero (cold start) and as i was going to church the pressure shot back up to normal. So when church was over( i was there for a while too) i got in it and started it and the pressure went up to normal without any problems. I will check it tomorrow and let you guys know.

Hey WARREN1814,

Did you replace the pressure sensor?

It would be great to rule out a sensor issue.

Please do let us know how you go here.

The filter should stop the oil draining back into the oil pan so when you start the vehicle pressure should build very quickly. A replacement filter should have sorted this issue if the other filter was allowing the oil to drain down.

I think it would be a great idea to get a pressure gauge on it from cold to see what is really going on. If you really do have low pressure then driving it like this may do engine damage.

Regards, Joe

No i haven't had the sensor replaced yet i even bought one too. And i will have them to do a pressure test as well. But i wanted share this video with you. I took it for a test drive today it and the oil pressure worked fine today. Every time i would start it.. it went up to where it suppose to be.. I thought for sure it would take a long time to build up like it did yesterday but it didn't do that as you will see hopefully in this short video. If it takes the oil pressure gauge to build up a long time again i will record that too.

It could be the gauge that is having an issue, but we need to get a manual reading to be sure. I am leaning toward what Joe said that the oil pump screen is clogged and reacts differently in different scenarios. Try the sensor as well and let us know please.

Okay, i will let you guys know... i will have to save some more money the oil pump screen cost $71.00 to $97.00. it comes with a tool when you buy it from AutoZone etc. I will call my mechanic tomorrow and see how much he will charge me to do both while he has the van etc. but since i bought the oil pressure switch already i will have it put on and see what the manual reading says. Before and after... Thanks guys i will let you guys know ASAP...

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Just checking in: I am unable to get my oil pressure switch fixed yet due to the covid-19 virus. All repair shops in my area have been closed etc. While waiting... though the error po171 has shown up again (system to lean in bank 1) . And i haven't forgotten to ask about my oil pressure test too / oil screen and oil pump et) :-) I will get it fixed hopefully when the shops open up again etc.. Stay safe guys.

Thanks for the update! you stay safe as well.

You guys stay safe too.. Sorry i have no update for it at this time for the oil pressure check but so far all this summer i haven't had the oil pressure gauge act up on me not once so far.. it took so long for the garages to open up now my PO171 error has come back... Is it normal to go through so many MAF so often? So far this one has lasted the longest; one year and a half.

Hello, I'm Danny.

Before you replace the MAF sensor the code also refers to a restriction in the PCV system, or a blockage in the air filter housing or air intake system. You might want to inspect this first. I've attached the code info picture below. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Hello there Danny and thank you so much for the help.. i shall check that out. Because this is one error that is drives me crazy when it happens.. Also, on the way home i had just bought a MAF to replace the one i have on there and the light went off by itself on the way home. Does this mean the problem corrected itself? my van has been sitting since this Covid stuff started happening.. normally i drive my van at least 3 to 4 times a week. Here lately it has been sitting.. Do you guys thing having the van sitting for a while has cause this error to appear again before going off etc?

I'm sorry i posted my last question to the wrong spot. i meant to post it here. I took my van in to get a new oil pressure switch installed and now i have a error code of 1101 manufacturer's code that i didn't have before i had them to put the new oil pressure switch in. Any ideas what the problem could be? I had no error codes before they touched it.. Would changing oil pressure switch cause this error code?

Where did everyone go? Anyway i hope everyone is staying safe out there.. :-) Oh by the way my oil pressure for my van is normal between 40 - 60 psi I can't remember actually what it was but i know it wasn't below 40 psi etc. I want to say it was 45 psi and praise the Lord it hasn't dropped to zero.

Hi,

Everyone is still here. LOL Is there something other you needed? I'm jumping in simply because I noticed no one had responded.

Please let me know if I can help.

Joe

Hello there.. lol. Glad someone is still here. I just wanted to let Ken and the rest of the crew what my oil pressure was in my van and i had finally gotten my oil pressure switch fixed. The oil pressure level goes where it normally goes even when it gets cold. etc Before it wasn't working correctly. It cost me $140.00 to get it fixed too. Labor was $90.00 and the cost of the part was $44.05. But thank you for taking the time to write me back. But i am sure the others are just busy etc. Do you think i was charged to much for the repair job? I did shop around and some where higher then the price i paid there. And the ones i did find cheaper was only like 2 or 3 dollars cheaper etc. Next repair is brakes.

Hi:
In all honesty, no that doesn't sound as though you were overcharged. I will forward you message to Ken. He will likely respond back to you.

Let us know when you need to do the brakes. Hopefully, it will be an easier procedure.

Take care,
Joe

Hello again.

Yes, $140.00 seems to be a fair price. Depending on your area and what type of shop it is labor rates are $100.00 to $150.00 an hour. Just a reminder that brake repairs are not related to an oil pressure switch so we ask you to start a new question for brake repairs. Here is a new question link:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

We will be looking for your question. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-