Oil sending unit?

[nuc_meltdown]

So the wife comes home today and said there was a problem with the Yukon. Message said "low oil pressure". Said the gauge would read pegged at 80 until she started driving and then the needle would move to 0 as she sped up causing the message. OK. Sure enough when you start it the needle pegs to 80 and then goes down as you give it gas. She said there was no knocking sounds. I also didn't hear any sounds. It has plenty of oil and it uses synthetic. I did a search and found one thread that said it could be the oil sending unit, but there was no reply to what he did to actually fix the problem (something i can't stand, btw). I figured that it was either the unit or the stepper motor going bad. Thoughts?

 

[YukonXLPerk]

Your correct on that assumption. A broken oil pressure sending unit can give you all sorts of crazy readings on the gauge. On my 06 Tahoe it staid at 80 all the time.

The sensor cost around $32 at O'Reilly. You can switch it out in under an hour. If I were you I would take the intake off to do the repair. While it is off you have easy access to the sensor. While it is off you should also change the gaskets {$40-$70} on the intake manifold. This will also give you access to your knock sensors if you decide to change those as well. If you have the money, and the know how, it should only take a couple of hours.

Plenty of threads on how to do the repairs. I also found a couple of videos on YouTube, but they did it the hard way.
I followed the youtube video and was sorry. Had to use 2 extensions and 3 swivel joints to reach the bugger. Also had to lay on across the engine bay for most of that hour. Its easy getting off, pain to get back on and threaded correctly.

Take your time and do it the right way.....A lesson I will NEVER learn.

 

[nuc_meltdown]

Thanks for the reply Yukonxl. I guess i should have stated in the OP, but I replaced the intake gaskets about 3 weeks ago. The sending unit started today. Wouldn't you know it? lol! I replaced the one on my 00 Silverado a couple years ago and yes it was a PIA for a big handed feller like me. My truck didn't give those same symptoms as the Yukon is so I wanted to get some more opinions. Guess, I'll get one and prepare for cussing and arm scrapes!! God, I love working on my vehicles!!

 

[Chiggy]

It's actually not very hard to replace the sensor. It just takes a mirror, the correct tools, and a little bit of patience. I did one just a few weeks ago on my friend's 6.0 yukon. Word of advice. DO NOT buy the cheap sensor. Get the more expensive one. I had to do it twice because my friend was being cheap.
I bought one of these to make it easier http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...-switch-socket/_/N-255s?itemIdentifier=141490

 

[new2yukon]

I have an issue with my gage as well. How can you determine if it is the stepper motor or the sending unit? Don't want to just start replacing parts unnecessarily.

 

[nuc_meltdown]

So I replaced the oil sending unit yesterday and all is well now. Well, except for my arm. It now has a few extra scratches. :-\

 

[afpj]

did you remove the intake or use the "mirror/multiple joint/extensions" method?

 

[undy]

There's multiple posts all over the web about repeated failures of the OP sending unit. Some people have replaced theirs 2 and 3 times.

Mine went on my Z06 and I modded the install so if it fails again it'll take 2 minutes to replace. The fittings and hose ran me $50 bucks from Jegs.



Now it mounts right next to the intake.

 

[nuc_meltdown]

I have an issue with my gage as well. How can you determine if it is the stepper motor or the sending unit? Don't want to just start replacing parts unnecessarily.

The oil pressure went to 80 and stayed. Occasionally it would fall when accelerating. I've never had a stepper motor problem so I can't describe that problem, but I assume it would just quit working all together.

---------- Post added at 03:31 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:30 AM ----------

Undy that looks like a slick setup!!