2000 Pontiac Bonneville Oil Gauge Pegged

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LSUSSEL
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Hi

I have a 2000 pontiac bonneville. 51 K

My oil psi guage has been all the way over to the right the highest it can go. and I know its not stuck because when I turn off the car it goes down, but when the car is running or im driving it doesnt fluxcate, it doesnt move period. its at the highest it can go. I keep up with all regular oil changes ect and I have checked over and over the oil temp and level and its perfect. what do you think is wrong? its been like this for 6 months and I have done 3 or more oil changes and still no change. Do you think its the wiring or the guage itself? when I turn the car off the guage goes back down and when I turn the car on, it goes all the way up again.

Can someone help me please!

thanks,
Lee
May 17, 2006 at 5:20 AM
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LOSONE
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The gauge all the way over indicates a short in your oil presure sending unit. Replace it and it should be fine. Let me know.
May 17, 2006 at 5:25 AM
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LSUSSEL
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THANKS!

How hard is it to replace my oil pessure sending unit? and where is it located?
May 17, 2006 at 5:27 AM
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LOSONE
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What kind of engine??
May 17, 2006 at 6:06 AM
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LSUSSEL
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Um I belive its the 3800 series. does that give you enough info?
May 17, 2006 at 6:16 AM
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LOSONE
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It is under the engne close to the oil filter. Go buy one and you will see what it looks like. It takes a special tool to remove it so be very careful you don't break it off during removal and installation.. Big problems
May 17, 2006 at 6:19 AM
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LSUSSEL
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[b:7c276bd599]Do you recomond I take it to a shop for this?[/b:7c276bd599]

And im sure I can rent the tool from auto zone when I buy the part?
May 17, 2006 at 6:21 AM
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LOSONE
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Yes, take it too a shop if you have never done one
May 17, 2006 at 6:30 AM
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LSUSSEL
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Ok, how easy is it, my girlfriends dad is a mechainc. could he help me?


So you reccmond taking it to a shop
May 17, 2006 at 6:32 AM
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LOSONE
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The 1st thing you do is run away from the Zone. The Parts will only cause you grief. Like I said if you have done it before then change it if not a shop is the best option, at least they won't by parts from the zone. Good luck
May 17, 2006 at 8:10 AM
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LSUSSEL
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Thank you. I have found and corrected the problem. it was the sending unit. funny thing is, when I went to pick up the part I was lookin for a big box type thing and this sending unit was no larger then my finger!

THANKS AGAIN SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!
May 22, 2006 at 4:44 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the oil pressure sending unit, located under the engine near the oil filter. Use a proper removal tool and have a shop do the job if you have not replaced one before, since breaking the unit can cause major problems. Avoid low-quality parts.

Conversation Summary

A 2000 Pontiac Bonneville with a 3800 engine had an oil pressure gauge that stayed pegged at maximum while running and returned to zero when the engine was shut off. Oil level and temperature were normal, and oil changes did not help. The expert diagnosed a shorted oil pressure sending unit near the oil filter and recommended replacement, preferably by a shop if the owner lacked experience. The owner later confirmed that replacing the sending unit corrected the gauge.

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