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Changing Oil Sender?"Contortionists"Only?!!

2K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  rangerteret 
#1 ·
Per one of my previous posts,I've had an intermittent "Needle Ficker",first noticed after a Super Freeway Long L.A.,HOTTTT Weather commute,a few weeks ago. When I'd stop on Ramp to Exit,the Oil gauge needle "flickered" ,slightly. So I got a new sender from NAPA.My 2002 Ranger 3.0 V6 has 75000 miles,clean Oil Motorcraft 5W20 Snthetic Blend and Motorcraft Filter. I've ALWAYS changed EVERY 3000 miles minimum.First ,I also wanna pick up a code scanner,Actron,Innova,whatever. Would this Oil Sender "problem" show up? Or only if the sender is defective or just show a fault at oil sender? Second and foremost is now that I can,at least inexpensively ,replace the Oil Sender($8),How do you get to it,without being "The Rubber man ,from Borneo"?I tried a 2 foot Aluminum Ladder,and other stool/steps,but I tell ya,it's a "Bear"! I ain't changed it yet,just checking out how to go about it.BUT,I got a "Feelin',its one of those things that is placed in a spot that,is for the most,"inventive",Ituitive""contotionists"?I guess Ford must figure if you ain't got the right tools,i.e.,Universals,flex ratchets,wobble extensions,plus weigh less than the 290 pounds I do,You shouldn't be doin it? EH?I was on my Front Drive here in the mountains,and I will attempt this again,at my neighbor/friends,Concrete <Level,Driveway!By the way,in the time since my L.A. ,"Adventure",It only did the Oil Pressure Sender Needle "Flicker" ,once after a Longer than normal drive on a Hot day. Otherwise my normal routine is once a week 60 mile round trip to nearest"Big Town",and NO "NEEDLE Flicker" ,or Oil Sender Fluctuation! Oil Level Full,consistently,and still clean with Another 1000 miles before next Oil Change.I thought Maybe to get to the Oil sender,which s Wayyy down on the engine block ,I think,next to where the bell housing and engine meet,and Tranny(AUTO.)dipstick are.I can reach in and move wire harness and grab connector,but its gonna be something,I guess I gotta live with? HELP??
 
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#2 ·
Good luck, I just changed 1 in my wife's v-8 Grand Cherokee, was quite an experience. I never seen it till I had it removed, the hardest part of not being able to see it was unhooking and rehooking the wiring. Was quite a test on my threshold for pain, and we won't get into the patience test.
 
#3 ·
You know what? I have the same thing happening to my 2001. I changed the Oil Pressure Sensor (yes, it's a B***CH.) Worked fine until the next long hot trip. Noticed it flickering again Friday after a drive to downtown Los Angeles. Put the beast in to Ford and after $100 diagnostics, they returned it, NO TROUBLE FOUND!

Anyway, remove the insert from a spark plug socket. Slip it over the sensor, attach the ratchet and proceed to bang your knuckles with the 2 or 3 clicks you can get out of it to remove it. Be careful when puting it back, it's a blind insert. It took me 5 minutes to remove mine and another 30 to just get the new one STARTED in the hole without cross threading it.

Good luck, and share the news if you figure out the flicker.

mj
 
#4 ·
Yeah,I can "see" how the "Knuckle Banging" ,is gonna happen. I'm gonna use a friends driveway,cause I live on a Mountain. Already did a "test run" ,Lay out across top of Engine compartment,after laying a Blanket over it. I haven't had a "flicker" once since the Colder weather! I'm wondering if this 5W20 oil,which I just changed(Motorcraft)Synthetic Blend,"Might" cause it in "Extreme Hot Weather? It was in July or August,Record Heat,and I usually NEVER make Long High Speed(70MPH),trips? Mostly a 55MPH drive to "our" biggest town(25000 pop.)No "needle Flicker",on my routine trips.I got the sender though,and Can't wait to do my "Contortion Routine"! Especially while I'm "Pushing 300 LB.!)Thanks for the "Heads Up"!
 
#5 ·
I also got an Actron CP9135 ,for $39.99 ,after rebate at PepBoys! They honored a Rain Check from July,which I thought was Admirable! This weeks "Sale" paper shows it at $69.99 then a rebate.Anyway the Scanner showed: "PASS",no mention of a Oil Pressure Sender fault. BUT, My understanding of this Scanner info is the PCM,will not show a fault after so mavny miles ,or if its so called: "Fixed",which I Ain't done yet! Now I'm just getting "Used" to my Scanner,so I'll recheck it for memory in the PCM ,to see if its in there?
 
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