Leaving the parking lot at work today, I noticed the oil pressure gauge was on zero on my 00F150Scab4x4. I pulled over wondering what to do. The engine was quiet. Then the gauge came up to normal, then dropped to zero, and repeated this process several times. finally it stayed at the normal pressure.

Any ideas as to what caused this? Temperature was 22 degrees. Mobil 1 has about 10k on it. I usually change it at 5k, but I have been extremely busy lately. When I got to my apt. I checked the oil. It was 1/2 qt. low. I have only added 1qt in about 10k miles! Truck has 96k on it. Forgot to add the engine is the 5.4.

 

I'd suspect the gauge sending unit to be faulty. I've been told that these engines have so many safeguards built in that the computer would likely shut off the truck if you didn't have any oil pressure. The fact that the engine was quiet along with the fact that the gauge needle was jumping around both indicate that the problem is in the gauge and not the oil pump.

 

Mine did the same thing when it was cold for 3 days....been too busy to replace the sending unit but I'd bet dollars that that's what it is/was.

 

Same problem here! Does it every morning when the engine is cold!

 

Mine did it as well until I replaced the sensor for about 7 bucks.

 

How difficult is this to replace? Is this the sending unit you are referring to? Thanks!

 

We have three 2001 fords in the family all three has had the oil pressure sending unit replaced for the same reason.

 

My 98' does that on cold mornings...or when I'm actually low on oil.

 

If you decide you want to know what is really going on, check my sig for a mechanical gauge install.

 

Very easy to replace. Sensor is next to your oil filter. Unscrew the old and screw in the new. There was a TSB for cold weather failures of this switch. It sticks in one position when cold and only works correctly once it warms up. It is just a switch and not a true oil pressure sensor. As Hunt4fun pointed out if you want a true pressure reading you will need additional parts.

 

Thanks Guys!