How to: Change Oil Pressure Sending Unit / Switch

[slayerized6]

How to: Change Oil Pressure Sending Unit / Oil Pressure Switch

Recently, while at a hot idle, the oil pressure light on my dash began to flicker. Being that my car was recently bought, is almost 10 years old, and is a tad of 98k miles, I did an oil change. This was the first oil change done under my ownership. The top end of the engine was rebuilt when I bought it at 96k miles and the bottom ended has no unusual noises.

However, I experienced the same results after an oil change, so this led me to believe that the oil pressure switch / sending unit maybe the culprit. AND IT WAS. So here is a little write-up for you guys before I forget certain stuff.

1. Raise car with jack or place on ramps. If using a jack, please use jack stands. Always use parking brake and wheel chocks.
2. OPTIONAL Remove splash shield on passenger side, front tire wheel well (10mm socket needed). (Personally, I placed the car on ramps and removed the shield from under the car without removing the tire. If you raise the car with a jack, you are better off removing the front tire. You can change sensor without removing the splash shield, but it just makes it easier in my opinion.
3. Locate the switch on the rear of the engine block, just above the oil pan. The switch will be on the block nearest to the P/S tire. Remove electrical connector. See attached picture. Switch is circled in red (photo is not mine, credit is due to member "Daox")
4. Remove switch from engine block by rotating counter clockwise with a 15/16" open-ended wrench. A small amount of oil will spill out, so have an oil pan or container at the ready. An open ended wrench or specifically made oil switch socket is need as the electrical connector on the switch will not allow a regular socket or deep socket to fully seat.
5. Replace with new oil switch. I used a Duralast #PS437 from Autozone. Apply a small amount of RTV gasket maker to the threads and thread new switch into block with hands-only first. After it is hand tight, using a wrench, give it another 1/4 - 1/2 turn or until you feel resistance. Reconnect electrical connector.
6. Start car and let it run for a few minutes. Look to see that switch is secured and that no oil is leaking.
7. Re-install splash shield, lower car, have a beer.

Experience level: Very easy, easy, medium, hard, very hard
Approx time: Start to finish 10-20 min
Tools needed: Socket wrench, 10mm socket, open ended 15/16" wrench, RTV gasket maker

View image below for location of oil pressure switch.



If you have any questions, feel free to post in the thread or PM me.