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  1. #1
    Member patricksd's Avatar
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    Oil Gauge Reading - What is Normal?

    Weird question, what is the oil pressure gauge supposed to read when the ignition is turned to "on"? What about when its "off"?

    The reason I ask is that when I turn the ignition to "on" (not starting the car)it sits a 0. However, when I turn the ignition off, the gauge will give a positive reading.

    Is this normal?

    When actually driving the vehicle, the oil pressure sits between 40-45 at cruise and sometimes up to 60 @ WOT. No check engine lights.

  2. #2
    Member patricksd's Avatar
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    Hmmm, maybe I found my answer. A guy told me his 2000 Silverado does the same thing. Since its an electronic gauge, it will stick on the last setting prior to shutting the car off (hence it reading 40 with the car off). When the ignition is turned on, it will go to 0 and slowly climb.

    Sound about right?

  3. #3
    Senior Member 35thAnniZ28's Avatar
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    eating bulldog
    son of biscuit

    mine also does that...havent gotten an answer yet..:\

  4. #4
    Simpsons Did it!! 98formy's Avatar
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    Heres why it does that. When you turn the key to on without starting it, it reads zero because there is no pressure at the switch. When you initially start it, the pressure builds in the motor and the switch reads that. When you turn off the car, the power is cut from the switch and thats why it stays where it last was and does not move. If you also notice, your temp and fuel gauges do the same thing. Just my two cents.
    TSP Torquer V2 cam, ported heads,fast 90/90 combo, LT's, 3400 stall, magnaflow CB, most other bolt ons, full suspension, t-top and HID conversion

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  5. #5
    Member patricksd's Avatar
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    Navy Blue Metallic
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    Quote Originally Posted by 98formy View Post
    your temp and fuel gauges do the same thing. Just my two cents.
    Thanks for shedding some light on the question - but I tried it this morning and my fuel gauge drops immediately to zero when I turn the car off. Whereas the oil pressure climbs to the last reading (usually 40). Of all the gauges, the only one that reads positive when the car is off is the oil pressure.

  6. #6
    Simpsons Did it!! 98formy's Avatar
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    83 Z28 new project
    98 Formula WS7-sold:(

    I was going off of mine. It might be a little different because its a 98 and the pcm is weird for my year.

  7. #7
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    My oil presssure gauge has done that from day 1 - normal.

  8. #8
    Firebird Encyclopedia 9T8W66's Avatar
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    If it shows no pressure then you should worry.
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  9. #9
    We'll be back... GatorSS's Avatar
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    It's normal, so don't worry about it.

  10. #10
    Resident F-body helper
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    If you're gauge is showing zero pressure when driving...then you should be worried.

    Many see the same situation you do.
    Eric @ WAR (Formerly Eric @ DMS)

  11. #11
    Member patricksd's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Eric @ W.A.R. View Post
    If you're gauge is showing zero pressure when driving...then you should be worried.

    Many see the same situation you do.
    Luckily, I've never seen zero pressure when driving lol. It only happens when the car is off, but the ignition "on." But from the responses I've gotten, that is normal.

    I did discover something new today - I had hardly any power steering fluid! Sweet!

    I noticed a whining noise coming from the engine bay and read some posts that said it can come from the power steering system - especially when its low on fluid. It was so low, it wouldn't even read on the dipstick. I checked to evidence of a leak, and found nothing. My guess is that it came through the top because it is sticky and has dust collected on it. I filled it up today

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