AFMan

So, my oil pressure guage is low at idle. I've posted on here before about it. It's not the sending unit, nor the oil pump. It's the guage, but when I called the Chysler service dept, they said the mopar won't service just the Oil pressure guage, but only the entire instrument cluster that costs like $1200. Sounds like a bunch of BS to me, but was curious if anyone's just had the oil pressure guage replaced, or done it themselves, and how I should deal with this? Thanks everyone.

billfrank85

If that's the case, you're better off just going aftermarket with a 2.5" gauge or something.

AFMan

I tried that, and it kept leaking, whether I chose the copper or the plastic. Anyone have a good one they can refer me that does not leak?

45shutr

Ya, just go with an electric oil pressure gauge as opposed to a mechanical one. Or go with an after market gauge cluster that swaps right in to where your orginal cluster sat for about 200 bucks. That or go find an OEM cluster at the junk yard.

AFMan

How about this one on ebay? Just buy one like this and swap it out? Would that work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-01...item230ba9023b

freegdr

when was the last time you changed your oil

AFMan

Just yesterday. I even tried straight 40 weight, and the guage maintained a little higher, but still went down to zero. I'm like 99% sure it is the guage, as I know it is not the sending unit or the oil pump.

wilagobler

It's $20 for the instrument cluster at the junkyards here. The gauge just has two or three screws in it and it comes right off, super easy to swap. Just start unscrewing things, you can't go wrong.


Edit:
Apparently sometimes just cleaning the connector will do it. http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticl...res/index.html

AFMan

The 97-01 were all the same compatability right? I have an 01, and would hate to get the wrong one.

freegdr

if you cant find a cluster get the after market gauge and hook it up where the oil sender is before you install it in side interior and make sure you have pressure

45shutr

That cluster in the ebay auction will work. But let me ask you, how do you know that your oil pump is good? Did you mechanicaly test your oil pressure like freegdr suggested?

AFMan

Yep. Did it like 4 months ago. It tested fine. I don't know what else it could be other than the guage. So, is swapping out the instrument cluster pretty easy? Anyone know how long it takes?

Chucks96XJ

On my old 99 it took less than an hour...

AFMan

Were you having a similar issue when you changed yours out? I asume they are just connectors(not sure how many there are) that you connect and then all the guages work again? Please exuse my inexperience in this.

45shutr

Well if you checked the oil pressure manually and it checked out, and you replaced the oil pressure sending unit with no change, then that could only leave one of two things. Either the gauge itself or the connection to it. The connectors, especialy on the later model XJ's like yours and mine are horrible, and oxidize easily. What I would do is order up the new gauge cluster provided that the seller will take it back on a return. Then pull the gauge cluster that is in your car and clean the connector to the instrument panel. Then hook the gauge cluster back up without reassembling the dash and see if that fixes your problem. If that does fix the problem then the connectors were the problem, at which point send the new gauge cluster back as a return and get your money back. If cleaning the connectors does not fix the problem then install the new cluster you bought and reassemble your dash.