Oil Pressure Gauge Maxes Out

[jmcclung11]

I started a new thread as to not hi-jack 08AvalancheBC. Plus, mine is a 2005 Z71.
I replaced my oil pressure sensor (PIA!) back in April. Truck has been fine. However, i have been taking it on trips to our hunting camp. After going about 80-90 miles up and down mountains, the pressure gauge eventually maxes out on the high side. It takes awhile of driving around town to get it reading correctly again. I tested a theory and here it goes. On my way to hunting camp, I had on the cruise and it would go into higher gear (but not hard passing gear) going up the mountains. My gauge pegged high after the 80 or so miles. I got the sensor to read correctly before coming home. (turn engine on and right off a couple of times did the trick). On the way home, I took it super easy and never let the truck go into passing gear going up the mountains. I was slowing to around 50 on some slopes. Anyway, oil gauge worked perfectly.

Any ideas? Is it a faulty gauge or something else? I bought an A/C Delco from Rock Auto and it is under warranty. I just don't want to stick my hands back there again. LOL. I also replaced oil and filter to see if that would help...it did not.

 

[EXT4ME]

What does the gauge read with the key on/engine off?

It should read zero.

Anything above that may indicate a bad stepper motor for the oil gauge in the cluster.

Also, just because a part is "new" does not mean it is perfect.

Installing an ACDelco part is a good move, but be aware that ACDelco has several different levels of quality of their parts.

When possible, always choose OEM Original over Professional since OEM Original is the top tier part line.

You can visit the ACDelco web site for an explaination of the different levels of parts they produce and sell.

 

[20streetrod06]

When possible, always choose OEM Original over Professional since OEM Original is the top tier part line.

You can visit the ACDelco web site for an explaination of the different levels of parts they produce and sell.

that's a fun bit of info to have in your back pocket. I didn't know that. I had always just figured that "professional" and "advantage" were just difference in packaging. I'm not sure when the changed, but now their OEM line is blue packaging, the "professional" is now called gold and and gold packaging, and the "advantage" is called silver, and in silver packaging. should make it easier to tell at a glance what product line you're buying from.

thank you for the education @EXT4ME

 

[jmcclung11]

I ordered from Rock Auto. Part: ACDELCO 12677836 {#12573107, 12614969, D1846A} GM Original Equipment. I know sometimes they can still be bad.

So, with the key off it stays maxed out. If I turn the key "on", but don't crank the engine, it stays maxed out. Thus, I was leaning toward the stepper motor. However, I wanted to ask because it doesn't happen just driving around town. Strange. I'll research the stepper motors. I know to go ahead and replace all at once so I won't have to take the cluster out again if another one goes bad. Thanks for the info!

 

[EXT4ME]

You can unplug the sensor and try your test again.

If the sensor is out of the loop, it can't be affecting the results.