Out of the blue, my oil pressure gauge is acting erratically. When warm, my 98 12V usually shows about 30 PSI oil pressure at idle and 60 PSI on the highway (1600 RPM). It just started doing something weird. When I brake lightly, the gauge goes to zero and once stopped, goes right back to 30. If I brake hard, it stays at 30. No problem turning, accelerating or braking hard, only when stopping slowly.

At first I thought it was starving (oil sloshing to the front of the pan) or the oil was low, but I don't think either is the case. Normally I'd swap in a small mechanical gauge for the sender and see what was what. but I'm away from home and don't have my stuff here.

Truck seems to run fine - no rattling or clacking that might indicate oil starvation.

Anyone have a similar problem?
Any ideas (like a new sender)?

I don't want to hurt the engine, but I don't want to chase my tail either.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks...Boatman.

 

My 96 done the same thing on a road trip to tennessee. I stopped at Oreilys and bought a $20.00 mechanical gauge and put it in temporarily. The sender was bad bc the mechanical gauge showed I had 60# of pressure. Hope this helps

 

my 96 does the same scares the crap out of ya too. yeah mechanical is the way to go.

 

My 1996 did the same thing. Replaced sending unit, end of problem..