87 Maxima-Flashing OIL CAN

Mar 23, 2006 8 Replies

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Dave_s 20 years ago

The water temp gauge has a 'oil can' symbol that is flashing mostly when engine idles but sometimes when driving. I think this 'flashing' is indicating very low or zero oil pressure. The engine runs and sounds OK, plenty of power, no knocks, not like an engine sounds that is running without oil. Has plenty crankcase oil. Never uses any cranckcase oil.

Can the 'oil pressure sensor' be bad and engine and oil pump system is really OK? Car has 70K miles and runs OK.

After market oil pressure sensor costs $70. What is my risk, if I do not change the sensor, and I check oil level often as I do now? Can a junkyard part be used if cost is much less?

Is the sensor difficult to replace myself? Can bad wiring cause good sensor to appear bad? Do 87 MAXIMA have any history of oil pressure sensor troubles?

Thanks, Dave_s

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Gordon reeder 20 years ago

Dave_s wrote in news:1223u33q2kn9mb0 @corp.supernews.com:

Just because you have oil in the crankcase doesn't mean your engine is protected. The oil presure indicator tells you that you have insufficient oil pressure. This could be caused by a worn oil pump and maybe a clogged filter. Open the oil fill cap on top of the engine while it's running and see if there is oil on and around the cam shaft.

Of course it could also be a problem with the sensor or the sensor wireing.

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JimV 20 years ago

The first thing to do is measure the actual oil pressure or replace the sending unit.

Gord> Dave_s wrote in news:1223u33q2kn9mb0

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Steve T 20 years ago

Yes and it is a comon problem for the sensor to fail.

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NissTech 20 years ago

Agreed, It probably has the original sensor on it from 87.

replace the OPS (oil pressure switch) with a NEW part not one from a junk yard.

Yes , they can be a problem coming off, be prepared to bust your knuckles

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Dave_s 20 years ago

Yes, is original unit.

Called these sources for the OIL PRESSURE SENDER SIWTCH. Miller Nissan $72 Kragen Auto $43 NAPA Auto $64 AUTOZONE $42

Each assured me they are selling me "new" units. Which of these are the safest to buy? Why is there such a large price variation?

Are some units in this list possibly rebuilt? Thanks, Dave_s

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njmodi 20 years ago

Safest would be the dealer part. Try

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It's a wholesale nissan parts dealer based out of TX. They have great prices on original Nissan parts and will ship the part to you (assuming you don't mind waiting a few days).

Cheers, Nirav

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AS 20 years ago

You can also try 1stnissanparts.com, a Nissan dealer out of washington state. Chris is great.

My experience with courtesy has not been that great lately.

Dave_s wrote:

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Steve T 20 years ago

Dealer.

Variations in the quality.

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