Oil sending unit fails after replacement
Asked by Jim Feb 09, 2017 at 12:51 PM about the 1998 Dodge Dakota Sport RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 1998 Dodge Dakota with a new 3.9 engine with less than 6,000 miles on it. The oil pressure shows approx. 65-70 PSI, but after about 5,000 miles, the oil sending unit started acting up. It would show low pressures, and eventually showed no pressure at all. After replacing the unit, it works again as it should. Now, only 1000 miles later, the new sending unit has gone bad, just like the previous unit. Any ideas what to do or what is causing the unit to go bad? (I have good oil pressure.)
5 Answers
From the forums that I've read about this, they say that overtightening the unit makes it fail much much sooner. I'm not exactly sure that this is your problem though. It's very strange that the sending unit keeps going out like that. It could be that its getting too much voltage from the charging system and that would have to do with the diodes in the alternator. It's very strange though, I've never heard of this being a problem before.
Thanks Jordan. The voltage may be something I can check out. It is very strange... especially, both of the units are very new. The first one installed with the new engine, and the second one as a replacement from a local garage. I don't think over tightening would be the case for both of them going out, especially brand new.
yeah, but pretty sure the two sending units so far were different brands.
Did you use the special socket or just a wrench. Not using the proper socket can distort the diaphragm and cause premature failure. Also what kind of shape is the plug in. If the plug is corroded or isn't contacting the probes tightly I could see it loosing connection over time.
