Today at a couple of stoplights my oil pressure gauge bottomed out. As soon as I idled up to go the pressure went back up to where it should be. It doesn't do it everytime I stop and idle, but it did do it three different times. When I turn off the engine and restart it, the pressure goes back to where it should be. Any ideas? Is my oil pump going out or could it be a faulty pressure switch?

I would say it is probably a bad pressure sensor.

it might be a bad pressure sensor - who knows.....


CHECK YOUR OIL PRESSURE WITH AN AFTERMARKET GAUGE.

no oil pressure will kill your motor in very short order.

I've noticed on some similar threads that the sending unit could also be the culprit. Do those things have a history of going bad?

I just had the same problem. Initially the oil pressure dropped to zero when at idle and when driving the pressure would return to around 40. I replaced the oil pressure switch, when doing this I noticed that oil was leaking from the switch. After I replaced it, it started doing the inverse. The oil pressure at idle was around 40 and when driving it would go to zero and the check gauges message would illuminate and the chime would sound. This become very annoying. So I took out the new oil pressure switch and connected a manual gauge to measure the oil pressure at idle and with increased rpm(s) it was fine. The new oil pressure switch that I purchased from Schucks/Oreilly's BWD brand was faulty. So I bought a new one from NAPA autoparts Eckland brand and it fixed the problem. First you will have to remove a metal plate protecting the underside of the engine (very simple 4 bolts). Then I removed the oil filter which allowed me access to the oil pressure switch. When removing the oil pressure switch you will need to disconnect the wiring harness, can be a pain. Then you will need a 1 and 1/16 inch deep socket to get the sending unit out. Once out put the new one in hook up the wiring harness and replace the oil filter. Put the plate back in place. Now it should be good as new.