Oil pressure gauge....99 Ranger?

On your truck, the gauge is just like an idiot light. It either shows nothing or mid gauge. I'm not kidding...

The point being you really need to check this. Does the motor make any noise?

CJB

I don't hear any engine noise that would make me believe a lack of oil. Could it be a faulty oil pressure sensor,and if so,where is it located?

It could be a faulty sending unit, but I wouldn't bet on it. Since it's pretty consistent, I'd be inclined to think that the oil pump is having trouble moving the oil when it's cold. Are you using the right weight oil?

CJB

For clarity's sake, let me add that he must be talking about an aftermarket mechanical gauge. If you want to really test the oil pressure, you have to use a mechancal gauge exactly as he's describing.

If you want to change the gauge you have to show oil pressure more accurately, you can change the "idiot light" electrical sending unit for a pressure gauge electrical sending unit, but I think you have to change a resistor on the back of the gauge cluster.

CJB

I wasted an engine in a '73 fiat once. I was driving and noted the oil light came on, so I immediately stopped. Checked the oil and the level was where it should be. Called fiat and told them the problem and they said that it was probably the gauge--go ahead and drive it. So, being young and wanting to believe those who are qualified to answer questions like that, I took off. Got about 150 yds before the engine locked up and I skidded to a stop. The problem was the oil pump--I wasn't getting any oil pressure.

I relate this story only to show the importance of believing your gauges.