[luckydriver]

My experience is the 0-60 sender w the 1/4 thread gives a more useable reading. I feel it is the best sender to use in all cases. Even as a replacement 9c1 sender. The 0-80 sender doesn't use the whole gauge scale. If you have a modified oiling system w more pressure then the 80 psi sender may be better but not for stock applications.

i installed the 60 gauge and love it. i dont think id like the 80 in the stock app

at idle i'm at about 25%...during normal driving up around the 60 or 70% mark. the only weird thing is at idle the needle will jump wildly sometime but someone told me that is normal.

also i've become cognizant of the oil taking longer to heat up now that it's colder out..higher pressure even after driving a bit.

ill reinforce to go with the AC delco part..i tried a generic part and it ran my fuel pump with the key off. maybe it was defective..unsure..but the AC worked great right out of the box.

 

[Choo]

I called a GM dealer to order sending #12553175 the parts guy told me that it's no longer available but I can go with part #19244500. Can anybody verify if this is correct?

 

[Brick B-Body]

I went with with AC Delco # 19244500:
ACDelco 19244500 Fuel Pump Switch and Engine Oil Pressure Gauge Sensor Assembly : Amazon.com : Automotive


I also got the brass adapter, a 1/4" NPT Female X 1/8" NPT Male:
Parker Brass Pipe Fitting, Reducing Adapter, 1/4" NPT Female X 1/8" NPT Male: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific


The sender already has thread sealant on it right out of the box. I put some Teflon tape on the brass adapter threads.

Here's a shot of the sender and adapter installed, looking towards the firewall. I had the intake manifold off already to fix the all too common oil leak from the weak factory RTV seal.

 

[rwd4evr]

96 Caprice LT1 Oil Pressure Gauge Fluttering

This is a civilian Caprice with a towing package. There is 132,000 miles on the car. Recently, after the car reaches normal operating temperature and the car is in gear and stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, the oil pressure gauge will flutter from low to high and in between. If I put the car into neutral, the gauge sits at about ¾ where it's been for 19 years.

Is the oil pressure idiot switch sending unit going bad or is actually a problem with my oil pressure?

From several pictures, it appears that the sender is on the back of the engine on the driver's side?

 

[ocala]

This is a civilian Caprice with a towing package. There is 132,000 miles on the car. Recently, after the car reaches normal operating temperature and the car is in gear and stopped at a traffic light or stop sign, the oil pressure gauge will flutter from low to high and in between. If I put the car into neutral, the gauge sits at about ¾ where it's been for 19 years.



Is the oil pressure idiot switch sending unit going bad or is actually a problem with my oil pressure?



From several pictures, it appears that the sender is on the back of the engine on the driver's side?

The stock sender in the civilian model is a 3 PSI switch. So if your gauge is dropping below the 3/4 default position then the sender could or wiring could be bad, or your pressure might be dropping below 3PSI when you're at a stop light at idle.

Not sure, but I think I read that bad wiring will move the gauge all the way to the right though... not sure about this one.

In any case, I would do either the 9c1 or truck sender mod, remove the little resistor, and then at least you'll know what your pressure really is.

And yes, the sender on the back top of the engine, on the drivers side.

 

[ocala]

Here's a picture if mine with a T fitting, to allow the use of an Autometer oil pressure gauge in addition to stock.

I'm getting the truck sender to replace my switch as well.

For reference, my EGR is removed, so your sender will be just aft of your EGR.

 

[ocala]

Stock picture:

 

[ocala]

Now I have a question.

Will the "Truck sender mod" work with the Z28 cluster?

Thanks.

 

[4DoorSS]

Now I have a question.

Will the "Truck sender mod" work with the Z28 cluster?

Thanks.

If you mean will the Truck Sensor work with the Z28 clusters gauge, then the answer I believe is yes. As was mentioned either here or in one of the cluster mod threads, it will just cause your gauge to read higher.

You are using a 0-60 psi sensor to work with the 0-80 psi gauge of the Camaro. So it will just register the needle a little higher in the gauge. For example 30 psi would show about 1/2 way on a 0-80 psi gauge when it should really read about a 1/3 with the correct sensor. Some like the feeling of seein the gauge more in the middle, but that's all it really does.

 

[ocala]

If you mean will the Truck Sensor work with the Z28 clusters gauge, then the answer I believe is yes. As was mentioned either here or in one of the cluster mod threads, it will just cause your gauge to read higher.



You are using a 0-60 psi sensor to work with the 0-80 psi gauge of the Camaro. So it will just register the needle a little higher in the gauge. For example 30 psi would show about 1/2 way on a 0-80 psi gauge when it should really read about a 1/3 with the correct sensor. Some like the feeling of seein the gauge more in the middle, but that's all it really does.

Ahh... I get it.

So if the 9c1 gauge is 0-80 and the 9c1 sender is 0-80 that would be best.

I haven't checked that yet...

Thanks

 

[ocala]

Edit: Z28 gauge and 9c1 sender.

 

[4DoorSS]

Ahh... I get it.

So if the 9c1 gauge is 0-80 and the 9c1 sender is 0-80 that would be best.

I haven't checked that yet...

Thanks

NO....its not a matter of 1 being "best" compared to the other. It really is a preference for the Driver and different Sensor's just put the needle in a different location on the Gauge. This just gives you a "warm and fuzzy" feeling that the oil pressure "appears" to be higher on the gauge than it actually is when using the Truck Sensor. Again, pretty sure one of the posts goes into detail as to why some opt for the Truck Sensor and its 0-60 PSI rating. You may want to re-read it for clarification.

I think you may also be letting numbers cloud your judgement a little here too. Out of all the gauges in question, ONLY the Camaro/Z/28 Cluster uses numbers 0-80 on the Oil Pressure. The other gauges from the Impala/Caprice either dont have an Oil Pressure Gauge at all or just have a L --> H range. Using a truck Sensor just moves the needle up a little closer to H than using the Standard 9C1 Sensor would do, the oil pressure is exactly the same.

The Clusters are as follows.....

* 94-96 Caprice & 9C1 & 94-95 Impala - Digital Cluster with L ---> H Oil gauge.

* 96 Impala - Analog Cluster - No Oil Pressure Gauge is present. Believe this is only an Idiot Light.

EDIT - For Example - I have the Z28 Cluster in my car and did the resistor mod and just used the 9C1 Sensor. After a good Warmup and at idle, I would say my gauge is reading about 10-15 PSI and the needle is down below the 1/4 mark. this would cause some to have a not to good feeling about their Oil Pressue. If I was to swap out the 9C1 Sensor for the Truck Sensor, my oil pressure would still be the same at 10-15 PSI but the Gauge would now read at approx. 1/3.....so a little higher than with the other sensor yet all the variables are still the same.

 

[Bugman]

The biggest advantage to the 9C1 sender with the Z28 gauge, other than the sender pressures matching the gauge, is that the 9C1 sender is a direct swap. The truck sender has different threads and requires a thread adapter. The truck sender is 1/4 pipe, the 9C1 and hole in the block are 1/8 pipe. A minor issue at best, but something that needs to be addressed none the less.

 

[ocala]

Thanks

Just to clarify, when I said the 9c1 sender would be "Best" for a Z28 cluster, my reasoning was that if the Z28 cluster is 0-80 and the 9c1 sender is 0-80, then the gauge would give a more accurate reading. At the time of my post I didn't know those ranges, either for the 9c1 sender, or the Z28 cluster.

Now that I have been informed of these numbers thanks to everyone here, I can't see why anyone with a Z28 cluster would use a 0-60 sender. Even if the pressure is ZERO, better to know...

 

[turbochris]

you better check your oil pressure w a mechanical gauge. Does the engine seem to tick, knock or generally sound louder when idling hot in gear?

 

[rwd4evr]

When my oil pressure gauge is fluttering, I have not noticed any noises, tapping, slapping, or any sort of rough idle. The car acts and sounds normal when at an idle at a traffic light. As stated earlier, when i put the car into neutral or park, the fluttering stops.

I'll replace the switch sender and check the wiring for any stripped insulation as best as I can.

Thanks to all for the photos. I'm now trying to figure out how to get my hands and a wrench into that tight space next to the firewall.

I apparently need a 1-1/16 inch wrench? I don't have anything metric that large. I guess that I would be able to check the size when I buy the new sender.

Is there a NAPA, Auto Zone, or Advance Auto part number for the various sending units instead of ordering one from a Chevy dealer or on-line from some GM parts outlet?

 

[4DoorSS]

I apparently need a 1-1/16 inch wrench? I don't have anything metric that large. I guess that I would be able to check the size when I buy the new sender.

Is there a NAPA, Auto Zone, or Advance Auto part number for the various sending units instead of ordering one from a Chevy dealer or on-line from some GM parts outlet?

Doubt you will get a wrench in there and a deep socket will be much easier. You should be able to buy a single deep socket in that size from most places - Sears, autozone, web, etc. Maybe one of the stores that does a loan-a-tool will have it to borrow?

Yes, the stores will have their own brand sensor listed for what you need. I believe most carry the BWD Brand ( Borg Warner?) and I've had good results with this brand. Easy enough to find the part number, just look up the sensor for the vehicle you plan to use it from....ie - 95 caprice with Police option or whichever year truck that is.

 

[turbochris]

the gauge flutters when you put it in gear because thats when the rpm is really low and the oil pressure will be low because the pump is also spinning really slow, bearings are probably worn

 

[arizonabigman]

thank you for this info

 

[LTCaprice]

I ended up using the sending unit for a 93 caprice LTZ (had the best gauges) it is calibrated for 60psi and readily available, still need the adapter...use steel not brass the threads are weak.