Check gauges light

Meli

Meli

Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2024
Messages
30
Location
Nashville, TN
I’ve had my jeep less than a week. Of course this stuff doesn’t happen when you’re test driving it. The check gauges light came on and the oil pressure gauge moves up and down when I’m on idle, goes back to normal when I’m driving. Any thoughts on what could be causing this?
 
Tell us more about your Jeep...year, engine... pictures...all help us diagnose.

Get one of these or an equivalent Bluetooth code reader...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XGBKG8X?tag=wranglerorg-20

You can download the Torque Lite app to your phone and read codes and more.

I'm guessing you have a 97. That year has an actual oil pressure gauge that works... amazingly oil pressure decreases at idle.

This concept freaked so many folks out all subsequent model years have a "gauge" that reads 40 as long as you have any pressure.

General rule is 5-10 psi per 1000 rpms. Those sensors fail all the time...so don't panic until you re t or buy an actual oil pressure gauge from an auto repair shop, Amazon or your friend/cousin/uncle mechanic.

Welcome to WTF.

-Mac
 
Welcome to the TJ Forum…

I would inspect the oil pressure sensor for leaks and the wiring for a dirty or loose connection.
The oil pressure sensor is located near the oil filter.
These are things you can do immediately with no tools needed.

Please fill out your Profile information to assist forum members with this problem.
 
macleanflood said:
Tell us more about your Jeep...year, engine... pictures...all help us diagnose.

Get one of these or an equivalent Bluetooth code reader...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06XGBKG8X?tag=wranglerorg-20

You can download the Torque Lite app to your phone and read codes and more.

I'm guessing you have a 97. That year has an actual oil pressure gauge that works... amazingly oil pressure decreases at idle.

This concept freaked so many folks out all subsequent model years have a "gauge" that reads 40 as long as you have any pressure.

General rule is 5-10 psi per 1000 rpms. Those sensors fail all the time...so don't panic until you re t or buy an actual oil pressure gauge from an auto repair shop, Amazon or your friend/cousin/uncle mechanic.

Welcome to WTF.

-Mac
Click to expand...

Hi Mac,

it’s a 2004 LJ 4L I6.

I tried driving around the block to see if the light would come on. I’ll just have to record it when it happens again. Usually after like 10 mins or so of driving. But it doesn’t happen every time. I’ll be waiting at a red light and then it’ll come on randomly. Oil pressure guage will fluctuate and then I’ll take off again and it’ll be normal.
 
How many miles on the engine ?
When was the oil changed last ?
Depending upon what you find with the oil pressure sensor; I would recommend changing the oil and filter and using a 10W/30 oil instead of the 5W/30.
 
CharlesHS said:
How many miles on the engine ?
When was the oil changed last ?
Depending upon what you find with the oil pressure sensor; I would recommend changing the oil and filter and using a 10W/30 oil instead of the 5W/30.
Click to expand...

It has 123k miles on it. I just got on Sunday, I’m not sure when the last oil change was.
 
Great…
Thanks for the added information…
I would suggest you inspect the oil pressure sensor and wiring as recommended above.
Examine the oil level and color of the oil.
Once you are certain the sensor is not leaking and the wiring is clean and tight; you could test the oil pressure with an oil pressure gauge that can be borrowed from the local Auto Parts store.
After the pressure is verified; then you should consider replacing the oil and filter since you don’t know when it was done last. Recommend using 10W/30 oil.
 
CharlesHS said:
Great…
Thanks for the added information…
I would suggest you inspect the oil pressure sensor and wiring as recommended above.
Examine the oil level and color of the oil.
Once you are certain the sensor is not leaking and the wiring is clean and tight; you could test the oil pressure with an oil pressure gauge that can be borrowed from the local Auto Parts store.
After the pressure is verified; then you should consider replacing the oil and filter since you don’t know when it was done last. Recommend using 10W/30 oil.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I looked at it a few days ago and I’m not sure what it’s supposed to look like when it’s got a good connection. I’ve watched tons of videos on it since I suspected that might be an issue according to the internet and the wiring looks so diferent on mine. It’s just one little wire coming out of it. I’ll take a picture of it in the morning.
 
I would rent out a pressure gauge from the Auto Parts store, remove the oil pressure sensor and determine what your pressure as a comparison to what the factory gauge indicates. The factory gauges are not very accurate; just give you a ball park idea.
 
And since it's a new to you Jeep...in addition to changing the oil as proscribed above you might want to check/change all your fluids. Axles. Transmission. Power steering. Flush your cooling system.

Now's a great time to get to know your Jeep and there is no better way than knowing exactly where you stand on fluids.

-Mac
 
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macleanflood said:
This concept freaked so many folks out all subsequent model years have a "gauge" that reads 40 as long as you have any pressure.
Click to expand...

97 - 02 TJ's have actual electric oil pressure gages. After that they are somewhat fake moving the needle to just over half unless you have no pressure.
The quick and dirty on Jeep gages is if the face has numbers on it it's a real gage , if it has L-——--H it's the fake indicator.
 
macleanflood said:
And since it's a new to you Jeep...in addition to changing the oil as proscribed above you might want to check/change all your fluids. Axles. Transmission. Power steering. Flush your cooling system.

Now's a great time to get to know your Jeep and there is no better way than knowing exactly where you stand on fluids.

-Mac
Click to expand...

LONGJP2 said:
Welcome

Hope you knew what you were getting into with a 20 year old vehicle. ;)
Click to expand...

Oh I did, I guess I just didn’t expect it four days later. 🤣
 
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LONGJP2 said:
Welcome

Hope you knew what you were getting into with a 20 year old vehicle. ;)
Click to expand...
I did, and I plan on taking good care of it. Luckily I know a cheap mechanic that I will be calling tomorrow to check all of the things you have all suggested. I don’t know enough to do it myself and I want to make sure it gets done right.
 
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Meli said:
Oh I did, I guess I just didn’t expect it four days later. 🤣
Click to expand...

Best advice I can give you for owning a 20 year old vehicle is own more than one.

And try and not take them all apart at once.

In addition to my 97 TJ I have a 2001 F250 and a 2000 Honda Shadow. We have a 2000 Miata but it's been in the garage for years.

-Mac
 
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Meli said:
I did, and I plan on taking good care of it. Luckily I know a cheap mechanic that I will be calling tomorrow to check all of the things you have all suggested. I don’t know enough to do it myself and I want to make sure it gets done right.
Click to expand...

We can show you how, if your willing.

The cheapest mechanic is you...and I'd trust you vs. a cheap mechanic any day, every day.

-Mac
 
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Meli said:
I am! If there’s a video, I’ll follow it! I’m a YouTube university graduate 😂
Click to expand...

BFH Garage, Bleeping Jeep and Just Dex It have some great videos.

I've got my own too...Trash and Trail...but that's more about playing with Jeeps, cleaning up trash in the woods and trail maintenance... clearing logs.

-Mac
 
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