Can someone tell me a reason as to why the ail gauge would be all the way down to low and the check engine light on periodically when driving? 1989 F-150 XLT

[This message has been edited by OldFordTruck (edited 10-27-1999).]

 

Have you checked your oil level. If it is full I would be looking for an oil pump, or check to see if your screen is stopped up in your oil pan.

 

Could also be the sending unit.
Take care,
-Chris

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'95 Eddie Bauer F-150 SC & '64 Falcon/Ranchero
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I know the new guages are either on or off, but the original post says it's for a 1989 . . might be a real guage.

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'99 XL 2x4 4.2L SC 5-Spd SC Black over Silver
Penda Liner, Chrome Tubular Step Bars, Prime Designs Bug Deflector

 

I believe it's a real guage in that vintage. Make sure there's no problem with oil level and/or flow. Then put a piece of black tape over the guage.

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Ben Mc.----'99 XLT 5.4 SC SB ORP Dk. Red/Dk. Grey----Fact. Cab Steps/Tonneau/Slider----Straight Duals, Superchip, Airaid/KN (non-sag), Ungo Autostart/Keyless Remote, Prime Designs Air/Bug Deflector, Weathertech Wind/Rain Deflecters----PPI 4240 Amp,McIntosh 6x9's w/crossovers front, Polk DB 5.25's rear---Tuessssdayyyy Affffternoooooon----gotta love it!

 

nope...Dummy guages. The were like that I think from 87-96's. Maybe wrong about this but Im sure for 89.

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Thanks!

1993 F-150 302/e4od/355 Limited slip. dual exhuast w/o mufflers,2 1/4" pipes with Echo Tips, headers, accel plugs/wires(8.6mm)/rotor/cap, hypertech powermodule,5% dark tint. Alpine cd player and Pioneer speakers. I need to get it Dyno Tested and qtr mile times. And someday Ill get picks!!!!!!!!!

1989 F-150 XLT 4x4 302/aod true duals with turbo mufflers, 30X9.50" wild country tires, 3:55 gears w/LS(want after market LS for front) 3" SuperLift would be nice too!

Future SuperDuty owner: But I have it the sheet filled:

F-350 SuperCab Longbed, 4x4, offroad pkg. Powerstroke(Duh!) Auto, 3:73Ls Oxford White with grey bench and VERY dark tinted windows. Maybe someday I can afford 33x12.50 BFG's Mud Terrain! Whatcha Think?

 

Chances are it's the sending unit or wiring. If the oil level is low enough for the gauge to go down and the light to come on, I would expect the valve train to start clattering as the hydraulic lifters lose oil pressure.

 

There was a link (from this site I think) to an article a while back on the oil gauge. Seems it's not what you would expect. It's a dummy version of an idiot light. The author had a test you could run but as I remember something like unhooking the lead, if it didn't put the gauge on zero, then it was not functioning as a gauge, rather like a idiot light. Also the gauge didn't move whether you had 4 psi or 24 psi delivered from the pump.

Sorry, I don't remember where the link was. Maybe someone else can fill that in.