Low oil pressure or bad sender/gauge?

[gregorvn]

I finally got my 1971 Coupe project running and took it for a spin around the block. It hasn't run since 1986, so this was pretty exciting for me.

When I started it, the oil pressure gauge showed some pressure. The gauge has markings of 0 40 80. It was at about 15 or 20 idling in the driveway. Midway thought my drive, I noticed the gauge was down to 0, so I came directly home.

So... Do you suppose it's actually low pressure, a bad sending unit, or a bad gauge? How would I diagnose this problem?

[So Cal Mark]

you will have to connect a mechanical pressure gauge to accurately measure the pressure. Bad senders/gauges are pretty common. If the warning light didn't come on when the needle went to 0, the pressure is probably okay

[124Germ]

I have actually had the other way around...light on and reading pressure through engine RPMs.

I think I have a bad sensor too, but not sure which one. Are they both the same? I guess I could change them both at the same time.

I have seen other people changing out their electronic oil pressure gauge to a mechanical one, just not sure how to get it all working.

I think I just hijacked this thread....sorry.

Jeremy

[n10zf8]

You may want to check the connections to the pressure gauge in the dash. Mine also shows zero (sometimes) but if I tap the face of the gauge it comes right back, mostly. If you search the topic you'll see the oil pressure gauge is not the best piece of equipment in the fiat. Alternatively you can unplug the connector on the small sending unit(which is the one that fires the warning light) then turn your key you will see the light does not come on. From what I have experienced that verifies at least the OH S#!+ light is working.
Although I could be wrong and if I am hopefully I am corrected and we both learn something new .