Oil Gauge bounces up & down

[redbaron]

ok, here's a question for someone: I have a '89 Turbo I mini, with almost a quarter million on the clock, rebuilt motor. Why is it that when I come to a stop or idle after a warm up my oil gauge drops below 'L' & springs right back to the middle after leaving a complete stop. Oil level is correct & I run 10W40 (always have since I bought it) & it also does this when it is extremely hot out too. So, I changed the oil & the same thing. What gives? Any ideas from anyone?

Sometimes it kills when the level goes that low too & I'm aware of that reason, but why does this motor do this? (serious & smart a$$ comments welcome! )

[crazymadbastard]

Take it to a mechanic that knows whatsup!

[crazymadbastard]

Or you could wiggle the connectors and see if it does the same. Probably a loose connector or failing sender.

[redbaron]

Funny! (I thought we all were some sort of mechanics!)

You know, I did change the sending unit also, same thing! I also swapped out the dash cluster gauge as well. When I bought the van it had that wimpo 85MPH speedometer, Big fuel gauge & 'honda driver' (idiot) warning lights, so I swapped over a 125 speedometer, tach & factory gauges from another '89 van, heck I got the cluster complete at a boneyard for $10, its better than what I had. (I took that other cluster out & shot it full of holes at my buddies house!)

[crazymadbastard]

mine started reading zero, whatever... POS sending unit from parts store probably died. Also tighten the connectors at the sending unit, maybe crimp them a bit with pliers or pry them with a small screwdriver.

[redbaron]

I could try that this weekend I guess. Thanks man! Any other ideas from anyone out there in 'turbododge land' ?

[turbokid]

mine does that aswell.
Usually when I Floor it or I turn on the lights. I have found it to be normal
I dont really trust the gauge anymore.
Aslong as it is registering I am fine.
If it totally does not work for a period of time then I get worried and drop a manual guage on it