05TahoeKay
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Hello, I have an 2005 Tahoe and my oil pressure gauge is at 80. What does this mean and how do I fix this problem? Is it safe to drive like this? Please help
Oil pressure gauge reading 80
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Mudsport96
Full Access Member
Your oil pressure sending unit is most likely bad.
Best way to check is turn the key to the on position but do not start the engine. If the gauge goes to 80, it is a bad sender.
Not horrible to replace... not fun either. Yes you can drive like that if it is the sender.
Best way to check is turn the key to the on position but do not start the engine. If the gauge goes to 80, it is a bad sender.
Not horrible to replace... not fun either. Yes you can drive like that if it is the sender.
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To be sure, hook up separate oil pressure gauge and see what the pressure shows.
rockola1971
Full Access Member
My man has Monster Oil Pressure. Bet tach pegs out at 20k too, huh? 
Mudsport96
Full Access Member
It is a short to ground in the sending unit. Mine did it last summer. Fail open is 0, fail short to ground is 80. You can check this by just turning the key on but not starting the engine. The dash will do the gauge sweep then oil pressure should go full 80 if it is a bad sender. Because if the engine is not running and you have pressure it can only be the sender.
roadking0678
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agree it's prob the sending unit...I literally just had the same problem and replaced it last weeked. Fired up and gauge is reading 38-42psi like normal. Also, dont do what I did and not order the special socket tool with the sending unit...lol Costed me another week waiting for the amazon delivery with the tool.
OP
OP
05TahoeKay
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Ok. Yeah I ordered the tool lol. Is it still drivable? Did you have to remove the whole intake to put in the new one?
There are ways to do it without removing the intake. Might involve small-ish hands and something to lie on across the engine bay. I did a friend's that way.
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You can do it by feel. You can use one of those inspection mirrors to see it at first. Buy the special socket, there’s not enough room to use a regular one. When installing the new one, start it by hand so you know it’s not cross threaded. There is no screen under the sending unit like there is on the 07-14’s so just replace the sender.
YukonRog
Full Access Member
Most likely the sender. I was able to use a regular deep socket on mine. Make sure the crush washer on the sender doesn't get cocked when you install it. And don't use anything but Genuine GM or AC Delco. You don't want to do it again. I use moving pads to lay on to protect my body and also equalize the weight across the top of the motor.
nogayford420
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What if it goes to 40 with the key on then 80 with the engine running? Just replaced the sending unit, it worked for a couple days and now this is happening. Before it would just go to 80 with the key on and stay there. Thinking about getting in there with my power probe somehow and seeing if i can learn something.
Should I just return the sending unit and get a new one? It's a duralast. 2003 tahoe btw
nogayford420
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the old (new) one was burnt at the connector and it seems the signal wire pin is melted a little on the pigtail, have 5volts at one pin ground at the other and the signal wire (bottom, the one by itself) shows no voltage nor ground but has a high resistance reading. Thoughts? I put the new sensor in but didnt plug it in so i can still drive
Definitely go with OEM. I replaced mine 4x (3 of which were AC Delco parts), before I got one that actually lasted more than a couple months. The store brand one actually spectacularly failed, and caused low oil pressure, as it sprung a leak!
2006Tahoe2WD
Full Access Member
Happened to me again after 3? years. I don't recall if I used OEM.
Yesterday I picked up a new sender at the dealer - $112.
Turning on the key and not starting makes too much sense - I'll do that this morning.
As mentioned it is not an easy replacement - but doable and yes you will need to laydown on the engine. I must have the socket that works somewhere, since I've done it before.
Yesterday I picked up a new sender at the dealer - $112.
Turning on the key and not starting makes too much sense - I'll do that this morning.
As mentioned it is not an easy replacement - but doable and yes you will need to laydown on the engine. I must have the socket that works somewhere, since I've done it before.
2006Tahoe2WD
Full Access Member
Okay new sensor installed. Now reading like "normal" 40psi.... I didn't like the feel of trying to torque to 22 lb-ft so I stopped without a click. I'll check back later re. oil leaking out.
When we had the engine out for the cam job...I modded my oil pressure sender by using a grease gun hose and the fittings to adapt it to a sender. Also increased the length of the sender wires....now my sender is laying right on the intake manifold. Can change it easily if need be.
2006Tahoe2WD
Full Access Member
Now that's thinking ahead.
ivin74
05 NBS Nali
I would like to see some pictures. That is one mod I have not thought off.
I will try to get a pic or two soon.
The main thing on this is to find the fittings. Bushings from hose to truck...from hose to a coupling that is put onto the sensor. I forget the thread size of the truck/sensor but think the hose was 1/4" NPT and about a foot long. Fittings easy to get off e bay.
