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Why is my oil gauge fluctuating?!!

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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 10:41 PM
  #1  
cascadeclimbn's Avatar
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From: Puyallup, Wa
Year: 1994
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Engine: I6 4.0L HO
Default Why is my oil gauge fluctuating?!!

So I just bought a 94 XJ less than 2 weeks ago and I've noticed that my fuel gauge rythmically fluctuates between 60 and then all the way past 80 and of the meter. I say rythmically because it seems to do this in sync with fuel flow. If I am driving down the road and applying the gas pedal the oil gauge reads 60 but as soon as I let off the gas it shoots past 80 and off the meter. Any ideas why it would be fluctuating like this and is it something I should worry about? I just recently did an oil change (put in Valvoline MaxLife syn) and added a new filter so I now the oil and it's level are both good...I check the oil level everyday too and it's normal and hasnt moved.
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by cascadeclimbn
So I just bought a 94 XJ less than 2 weeks ago and I've noticed that my fuel gauge rythmically fluctuates between 60 and then all the way past 80 and of the meter. I say rythmically because it seems to do this in sync with fuel flow. If I am driving down the road and applying the gas pedal the oil gauge reads 60 but as soon as I let off the gas it shoots past 80 and off the meter. Any ideas why it would be fluctuating like this and is it something I should worry about? I just recently did an oil change (put in Valvoline MaxLife syn) and added a new filter so I now the oil and it's level are both good...I check the oil level everyday too and it's normal and hasnt moved.
oil sending unit sounds bad ........easy change ,not to pricey either .
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 10:53 PM
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you said fuel then oil.... I assume you mean oil. Sending unit is bad, It needs replaced. Easy fix.
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by ken72
you said fuel then oil.... I assume you mean oil. Sending unit is bad, It needs replaced. Easy fix.
I did mean oil. Well, 2 out of 2 ppl say sending unit so I think I'll be heading to Autozone tomorrow for a new sending unit. Thanks!
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 11:01 PM
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Also, it's a 94 cherokee sport so is that an electric oil sender?
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 11:13 PM
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Yep. Looking at about $15 and 30 min of wrench time
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 11:46 PM
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Make sure you get the sender for GAUGE and not light. What you can do to test also. unplug the wire from the sender. gauge should read nothing. then ground the connector, should peg the gauge. This helps deduce that the sender is at fault.
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Old Sep 16, 2010 | 11:54 PM
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cascadeclimbn's Avatar
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Originally Posted by Metmknice
Make sure you get the sender for GAUGE and not light. What you can do to test also. unplug the wire from the sender. gauge should read nothing. then ground the connector, should peg the gauge. This helps deduce that the sender is at fault.
Sounds good. I'll do that tomorrow before I spend the $20 at AutoZone
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Old Sep 17, 2010 | 12:05 AM
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Same exact issure im having right now, on my way home from work tonite my oil pressure was flexing with my pedal use then i started to smell burning oil, pulled over popped my hood and im pretty sure its my oil pressure sending unit dripping oil onto my oil filter and exhaust and oil pan flange.
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Old Sep 17, 2010 | 12:08 AM
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Originally Posted by tandersen45
Same exact issure im having right now, on my way home from work tonite my oil pressure was flexing with my pedal use then i started to smell burning oil, pulled over popped my hood and im pretty sure its my oil pressure sending unit dripping oil onto my oil filter and exhaust and oil pan flange.
I haven't had any oil drippage or leaks yet. I'm hoping to keep it that way too! If you get the new sender before I do let me know how it works. I'll do the same.
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Old Sep 17, 2010 | 12:41 AM
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sounds good this burning oil smell and oil all over there driveway needs to be fixed ASAP im goin to autozone in the mornin ill keep yuh posted.
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