Problem with the Oil Pressure Gauge Not Reading Properly!!!!!

[rich757va]

I have a 2001 Bayliner with a 4.3l 290 hp engine. I just replaced the engine block and took it out for its first on water test. I know that all the gauges on the display panel (Oil, RPM's, Gas, and Oil Pressure) usually drop to zero when I turn the engine off. When I took it out I noticed the oil pressure needle was sitting just above 40. It did manage to go up to around 70-75 (the only actual numbers on my specific oil pressure gauge is 40 and 80) but it mostly sat around 40. Then when I turn the engine off it sticks around 40 again. All other gauges seem fine. The engine sounds real smooth and I feel pretty comfortable that oil is being pumped throughout the engine block. When I replaced my engine with a remanufactured one from Rapido Marine it came with a new Oil Pump. Oil in dip stick looks fine and the temp of oil on dip stick is warm after the engine has heated up. If I tap on the display the needle moves a little but never resets to zero when the engine is off. Do not want to have any oil issues with this new engine and rely on this gauge to ensure oil pressure is being pumped properly. Any suggestions as to what is causing this problem? The oil pressure gauge on this 2001 Bayliner 195 Capri appears to be part of the entire display cluster with a shared circuit board. Could that part of the board be defective? Any suggestions or solution would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Problem with the Oil Pressure Gauge Not Reading Properly!!!!!

See what it does when you turn on the ignition switch without cranking or starting, just turn on the key for a couple of seconds then turn it off. If it goes to zero good, if not diagnose the wiring & connections to the oil pressure sender. You can do some of this with long runs of wire and test clips using the continuity checker on a volt meter.
Are you saying the dash has a cluster without individual gauges? You can still mimic the pressure sender output with the right signal into the gauge wiring to test it.
What brand & model is your drive? Once you have that look up the expected sender outputs and see if you can create them with battery voltage to check the gauge response.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Problem with the Oil Pressure Gauge Not Reading Properly!!!!!

Ah, the infamous VDO integrated gauge cluster strikes again. These are notorious for getting flaky in their old age. Make sure the pins on the connector to the panel are clean. You may have to re-flow the solder joints on the circuit board.

For peace of mind, temporarily connect another oil gauge to get a feel for the actual pressures.

 

[rich757va]

Re: Problem with the Oil Pressure Gauge Not Reading Properly!!!!!

Yea this VDO cluster has been less then appealing. Also dealing with the digital display that randomly chnges from each of its settings. Makes it difficult when I am trying to watch my depth and I have to wait for it to cycle though all its ofther displays before if quickly displays my depth. As far as the Oil Pressure is concerned I will check the pins and make sure they are clean and if necessary will take some long strands of wires with tests clips and check the continuity.

Certainly appreciate the responses.
Rich