Oil Pressure Problem?

You have a oil pressure switch which is located by the oil filter,it is screwed into block,just removed electrical connector,get wrench and remove.

• When the oil pressure is either high or low it will either turn the oil light "on" in the dash or move the gauge to the extremes
• Undetected high or low oil pressure can result in internal engine damage and/or gasket leakage. Here's a picture of what it look's like.

http://www.autozone.com/external-engine/oil-pressure-switch/duralast-oil-pressure-switch/chevrolet/s10-p-u-2wd/2002/6-cylinders-w-4-3l-sfi/31135_652060_8450

Complete engine teardown.

How much below 30 is it dropping? Oil pressure when in DRIVE at idle on a hot engine, is NORMAL at around 18 to 20 Psi. The warning lamp does not come on until around 7 Psi.

With that said, the oil pressure switch (for the light) is located on the lower left front of the engine. The fuel pump oil pressure switch and sender (for the gauge and fuel pump operation) is on the lower right front of the engine.

Probably a faulty oil pressure relief valve.

If not done already, you should have an independent oil pressure gauge hooked up to the lube system by a mechanic to check that the high oil pressure reading you are getting is correct. Before doing this change the engine oil and the oil filter and ensure you use the correct oil and only fit a quality and correct spec oil filter.

Replace the oil sending unit, this will take care of the jumping gauge. On the fuel, I would start with replacing the fuel filter, see if this helps. But my first guess on it would be the catalytic converter is clogged up.

The oil pressure specification for your engine is 13 PSI at idle hot, 37 to 75 PSI at engine RPM higher than 1600. I suspect your oil pressure gauge sender unit or gauge is inaccurate. I would have a known accurate mechanical oil pressure gauge temporarily screwed into the present oil sender unit to verify actual pressure.

If you have the correct pressure I would replace the sending unit first.

gauge or sender may be faulty

When the gauge is at 0, is there any noise from the engine (tick, knock etc?) I would have someone put a mechanical gauge on there and read true pressure.Your driving pressure seems OK but if the low number is "real" something is wrong!

If grounding the dash does not work, try putting a mechanical gauge on it and reading actual oil pressure. Pressure does change while driving, but should not wander. With mechanical gauge, check that running hot at idle (in gear if automatic) pressure should not drop lower than 15psi (I'd rather see 20) High reading should be around 40 -50 but no higher.Low pressure indicates a loss of supply or bad bearing on the crankshaft, high pressure may be caused by sticking pressure relief or restriction in an oil passage.

try replacing the oil filter and oil make sure u use the right grade oil for it if it still does it u need yo go to mechanic or if u have one connect a external oil pressure gauge to the engine to check if the car gauge is reading correctly if it is reading right then the oil pressure releif vale is stikking

if the car gauge is reading wrong change oil pressure sender