My pressure normally operates at like 50 psi give or take and idles around 40..well this morning taking my sister to work(in snow) when turning the ignition on, it would go up to like 75 and then turning engine on and running it would go all the way up to 80 psi and stay there? Checked the oil just cause and it's all looks fine, and good level..y'all think it's just the sensor? And if so where's that located? My dad said it should be this wire plugged into the block somewhere? Is this correct?

 

Sending unit

 

Sending unit took a dump. It's located next to you distributor above the oil filter.

 

Hey thanks fellas! I found it and unplugged it and could see where the person before me had changed it(spliced)
But it's ok to drive around on it for the rest of the day until I can change it tomorrow, correct? It's not hurting anything other then giving me an incorrect reading at the gauge right? I just plugged it back up for now

 

As long as it's not leaking you will be fine.

 

Spliced? It has a socket in it... the splice could be your problem right there lol.

It does sound like the sending unit is busted, but normally pressure drops when they fail. Something else that can cause pressure problems is a collapsed oil filter. You need to verify the pressure with a mechanical gauge first and see which it is. Though if you have an orange FRAM on there just replace it anyway. If your engine isn't making a bunch of noise the problem isn't catastrophic

 

It isnt due to the cold is it?

 

Hang on I just noticed something. 75 PSI *BEFORE* you start the engine? Bad sending unit or sure. Needs to be running to make pressure. Do check the other stuff though.

 

Yes. Just turning the key to on position. Like lights and radio come on. Not turning the engine over it goes up to about 75...but yes, it's been spliced some point in time. Lol but has still always worked until now

 

Well, rip into the splice and solder that stuff, make sure its clean. High resistance semi-break can mess with that. If the issue persists just replace the sending unit

 

Your words are much appreciated