Oil Pressure sensor on 3.4L

[Guest Anonymous]

Hello,

 

Since i have had my car (over a year), the oil pressure sensor/sending unit has been shot. I've got a few questions for the mechanically inclined:

 

1. Where in the engine bay is it, is it an easy replacement with standard tool sets, and how hard is this (3.4)

 

2. Where can i get a new one? AutoZone? is there a ceratin 'size" i should look for. i found a few old threads on this, but there were all 3.1/TGP-specific.

 

Thanks

[Brian P]

I assume you have the '92 Cluster and have a real gage, not the dummy one. You need the special socket for the sensor, otherwise you COULD get to it with pliers at risk of accidentally touching the + contacts on the starter, and it being a general PITA. When getting a replacement be sure they give you the long one, not the short one which is just a low pressure switch, not a sensor.

[mihela816]

It's next to the oil filter.

[Guest Anonymous]

I assume you have the '92 Cluster and have a real gage, not the dummy one.

 

No its the 89 cluster, which has the acessory gauges. It never worked on the 92 cluster, and doesnt work on the 89. On both, when you start the car, it shoots up to about 60 psi and stays until you shut the car off... it never moves. Its been like that for over a year, on both engines. the sensor is obviously shot.

[Brian P]

:shock: actually that sounds like you have the wrong sensor in there. The switch type sensor will have that effect. Either way you'll need a replacement.

[Guest Anonymous]

We reused the old harness from the original engine, hence the reoccuring problem, with both clusters and both engines. It (the sensor) was probably replaced at some point before i owned the car with the wrong part.

 

You're saying i have a fuel pressure sender, not sensor?

 

Seems like it could be true. But now i;ve got to replace the damn thing, so back to the original questions. I have the 92 FSM, and its virtually worthless for this particular application, as its intedned for GM techs. It just gives me a list like this:

 

OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT (8C-8)

1. Air Cleaner Assy.

2. Neg. bat. Cable.

3. raise vehicle.

4.oil filter.

5. electircal connector.

6. sensor

 

ok, WTF? and it gives me a crappy drawing of the 3.4 block with and arrow pointing at an illegible shape on the bottom.

[Brian P]

We reused the old harness from the original engine, hence the reoccuring problem, with both clusters and both engines. It (the sensor) was probably replaced at some point before i owned the car with the wrong part.

 

You're saying i have a fuel pressure sender, not sensor?

 

Seems like it could be true. But now i;ve got to replace the damn thing, so back to the original questions. I have the 92 FSM, and its virtually worthless for this particular application, as its intedned for GM techs. It just gives me a list like this:

 

OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT (8C-8)

1. Air Cleaner Assy.

2. Neg. bat. Cable.

3. raise vehicle.

4.oil filter.

5. electircal connector.

6. sensor

 

ok, WTF? and it gives me a crappy drawing of the 3.4 block with and arrow pointing at an illegible shape on the bottom.

 

Oil pressure sender, yes. When you look underneath the vehicle, it will be to the right of the oil filter, with 3 wires coming out of it. Best access when the filter is removed, and yes you'll need that special socket to make it the easiest. I actually just replaced mine yesterday since the old one was leaking oil, but at the same time I also had the starter out, so I was able to grab it with channel-lock pliers.

[joey b]

On the older 3.4's it is located on the oil cooler assembly. My 92 engine had a cooler with some tube for cooling the oil. It will have a wire coming off of it. On my 97, there is no cooler and nowhere in that general area to screw it in. I had to locate it farther to the right on the engine. Under maybe the #4 or #6 spark plug hole. There is a galley there with probably a bolt coming out of it. BTW, they cost about 20 bucks at auto zone, and before they puke they will remain at 60. I would guess that the more resistance in the sensor that the higher the PSI reading.