I have a 99 Jeep Cherokee sport 4.0 6cyl, recently the oil pressure gauge went to 80 and has stayed there. Today whenever I accelerate the gauge is going down to zero but when I left off the gas it goes back up. Is this a problem with the oil pressure switch/sending unit...not sure which it is called.

Thanks!

 

I'm having this same problem on my '99 Sport that I recently picked up. I'm going to start with replacing the sending unit and go from there.

Will keep checking this thread for other ideas. Thanks.

 

Just go to the parts store and ask for the oil pressure sensor, costs like $5. Its right above the oil filter and only has one wire coming out of it. Takes like 5 min to change with a wrench

 

Welcome Jeepgirl71 & Floydwall888 to CF from Tj. I would do what TheJerm said and change the oil pressure sending unit first and work from there...Tj

 

Cool - thanks for the info!

Edit: My situation is a little different than the OPs. Mine has only spiked to 80 twice since I got the Jeep last week, and both times it was a highway speeds with the cruise on. The first time it happened I let the Jeep sit for awhile, checked all the fluids, and when I got back in it was reading normally. The second time was this morning..I guess I'll see what it read on my lunch break..

 

Replace the sending unit switch. I have had my guage spike to 80 and stay there, and also drop. The switch is going south for retirement when this happens. Sometimes blowing out the small hole will clear the chrud, but its better to replace the switch, this could only be a temperory fix. Wish I could find the switch for $5. His autoparts store must be selling Used parts. Need, I believe a 7/8 or was it a 1-1/16 wrench to remove the old switch, but really east job.

 

Thanks!

 

not $5...sorry to burst your bubble...$15-$25...but definitely easy to change

 

x2!

 

UPDATE: I finally got around to replacing the switch yesterday and it did the trick, all fixed! Also, the oil sending switch/sensor is actually priced around $30-40 around here depending on the parts store you buy from, just a FYI.

Thanks guys/gals!

 

Just wanted to add that the idiot lights use a "switch" and the gauges use a "sending unit". I know this because I did the instrument panel swap from the stupid lights to gauges.

 

The $5 one is the light and the $30-$40 one is the gauge. They are in the same spot but the sender (for gauges) is a little longer.

I have pictures of mine after replacing it a few days ago... because I broke it...
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/wha...i-break-53990/

 

Make sure you get the right switch/sending unit. Gauges and idiot lights are a different unit. you may pay more for the wrench than the part.