[Flesh Eater]

I think sludged up, dirty oil ruined my new sending unit, which came with my Equus gauge. Is there any reason why a factory sending unit wouldn't work with this? As far as I know, the factory sending unit just sends information to the factory gauge, basically like the sending unit I got from Equus does, with one wire.

Got some weird stuff going on, and want to start there before tearing into the motor. Also don't want to spend $33 on another Equus sending unit.

Thanks!

 

[MS88Bronc]

The factory sender is a switch, not a sending unit. It either sends a signal, or it doesn’t. You will need to install a sender in place (or in addition to) the factory switch if you want your gauge to work properly.

 

[CrazyBRONCOguy]

He is working on an 84? That one might be real, though not gonna see any numbers.
Agree that unlikely the senders will match and ull need the specific one for that gauge your using

 

[Flesh Eater]

The factory sender is a switch, not a sending unit. It either sends a signal, or it doesn’t. You will need to install a sender in place (or in addition to) the factory switch if you want your gauge to work properly.

Does it work like that even with factory gauges and not dummy lights?

Guess I’ll just order up a new sending unit from Summit.

 

[Flesh Eater]

I guess to clarify, this would not work with my electrical Equus gauge?

 

[MS88Bronc]

He is working on an 84? That one might be real, though not gonna see any numbers.
Agree that unlikely the senders will match and ull need the specific one for that gauge your using

Ah, I didn’t see it was 84 - I don’t always see bronco info on Tapatalk. I agree though, I’d use whichever sending unit the gauge recommends.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Up through 86, the Oil Pressure gauge was real time, not just a switch. It may or may not work with the Equus. I would say probably not correctly.

I run mechanical gauges for oil psi and water temp.

 

[CrazyBRONCOguy]

Agree that a mech. gauge would be perfect for oil. Just dont use the plastic line and expect it to last long term.

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[packagerjr]

Is your new failed sensor expect to see five or 12 volts at the input?

 

[Flesh Eater]

I’m hooking up a mechanical gauge with the electric to be sure. This was holding oil pressure when cold at 50psi. Now the gauge won’t go over 25 psi ever. I don’t think it’s an engine issue, but black cruddy oil came out of the new sending unit.

Believe the new sender takes 12 volts. Not sure though.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Aftermarket senders receive 12v, but put out a certain voltage depending on pressure seen, usually 0-5v.

If oil came out of the sender, its toast.

For mechanical gauges, I dont even like the copper tube. Its so fragile. I had one break on my way to Moab and spew oil everywhere. Braided stainless is how I go now.

 

[Flesh Eater]

Aftermarket senders receive 12v, but put out a certain voltage depending on pressure seen, usually 0-5v.

If oil came out of the sender, its toast.

For mechanical gauges, I dont even like the copper tube. Its so fragile. I had one break on my way to Moab and spew oil everywhere. Braided stainless is how I go now.

Well, the factory sending unit didn’t work. I contacted Summit and they’re sending me a new sending unit from Equus for free.

Also, I hooked up a mechanical Equus gauge I grabbed locally and it is reading 50 psi at start up, and my hot idle and in gear is reading way higher than the electrical ever did. At 180 my oil pressure in gear is around 35 psi.

I’ll have to hunt down some stainless to use on this. I believe the ends on the gauge and fittings is 1/4”. Do they make braided stainless that small or will I need adapters?

 

[BigBlue 94]

Rule of thumb for a healthy engine is 10psi for every 1000 rpms. Though it should always have 30psi or so during normal operation

 

[Flesh Eater]

Rule of thumb for a healthy engine is 10psi for every 1000 rpms. Though it should always have 30psi or so during normal operation

Until I installed that mechanical gauge I was really questioning my engine’s worthiness. Not anymore. The electrical gauge used to read 15-20 psi at hot idle, which is nowhere near the mechanical gauge.

For the time being I’ll be running both gauges, but in the future might swap one.

Long term I need to do something like you did and just get all modern gauges in the dash.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Until I installed that mechanical gauge I was really questioning my engine’s worthiness. Not anymore. The electrical gauge used to read 15-20 psi at hot idle, which is nowhere near the mechanical gauge.

For the time being I’ll be running both gauges, but in the future might swap one.

Long term I need to do something like you did and just get all modern gauges in the dash.

My gauge swap was a lot of work. Definitely worth it, but that wiring was a pain! Ive got two more gauges to add... Vacuum and my OBA tank pressure.

 

[Doosenberry]

You could always stick one under the hood for the time being, unless that's what you already did. I just tee'd one underneath my oil pressure sending unit. This way my factory gauge in the dash works and I can always pop the hood and see where the pressure is at at idle. Obviously not the best for real time info from inside the cab while driving, but it works for me.

This was just a mock up. I later fitted everything together permanently (and clocked properly) and painted everything black to match the gauge so it's fairly hidden.