OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR AND GAGE SERVICE

SUBJECT: INFORMATION ON OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR LAMP AND GAGE SERVICE

VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1992 "F", "W" MODEL AND "U" VAN

BULLETIN REVISED TO DELETE REFERENCE TO CORPORATE BULLETIN 318103 IN LAST LINE OF BULLETIN.

APPLICATION:

Chevrolet: F Car with V-6 U Van with 3.1 L W Car

Pontiac: F Car with V-6 U Van with 3.1 L W Car

Oldsmobile: U Van with 3.1 L W Car

Buick: W Car with 3.1 L

During the 1992 model year, the above vehicles changed from an oil pressure, "SENSOR" to an oil pressure "SWITCH". The switch, along with an inline resistor, is used to make the gage operate as an indicator rather than a gage.

Some confusion appears to exist on how to service these vehicles if the gage or indicator becomes inoperative, The vehicles should be serviced by replacing the parts as they were built. In other words, if the vehicle was built with a sensor, replace it with a new sensor. If it was built with a switch, replace it with a switch.

The parts are located in Group 1.00 of the GMSPO catalog. A sensor (also called sender) is about 3-3/4" long. A switch is about 2-1/4" long. The sensor produces a variable resistance signal, and a switch produces an "open" or "closed" signal.

If a switch is installed instead of a sensor, the gage will read "O" or "I" with the key on, then peg to the high side as soon as the engine is started. The switch is closed until it sees about 4 psi pressure, then opens, so the gage sees this as an open circuit.

If a sensor is installed instead of a switch, the gage will read "O" or "I" with the key on, then will stay very low with the engine running. The resistance of the sensor is added to the built-in resistance of the circuit, causing the total resistance to be lower than it should be, making the reading much lower than normal.

The Chevrolet W-Car was changed from an oil pressure gage, to a voltmeter and an oil pressure light. All Chevrolet W-Cars with oil pressure gages should be serviced with "SENSORS" . If a sensor is installed instead of a switch in a car with an oil pressure light, the light may glow dimly when the engine is running.

Corporate Bulletin 218112 is a Service Manual Update on the operation of the switch circuit in Pontiac and Oldsmobile W-Cars.

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.