I need to replace oil sending unit wire on 96

Could be a bad sending unit, a short in the sending unit wire, bad or pluged pump

replace oil sending unit.if still have issue oil pump is failing.

above the oil filter housing on the backside of the engine,single wire connector

Could be coming from the oil pump or even the valve cover gasket.That's about it for oil.I recently had a leak in the dipstick tube.Are you overheating?Do you have to add oil?If so,how much and how often? Thanks,Greg

Check for codes with a scanner or by bridging the diagnostics port found under the glove compartment. If it getting code 4 its surely the distributor. Honda go into fail safe at 3500 when the crank sensor goes bad Inside the distributor or monitor / ignition module. It\'s a one piece unit. Entire distributor needs replaced it dons\'t get sod separately. If your getting no codes don\'t be fooled its still the distributor. But check the cars side of the engine harness and plugs at Distribtor. Some years not sure 97 96 started having the crank sensor behind the timing belt bolted to the oil **** housing outer face. Its 2 sensors 180 deg from each other reading off of the lower crank timing pulley. Guaranteed problem solver. Check wires for breaks corrosion and if still no go it\'d be a bad ecm.

Several issues could exist:
Faulty light - get computer code reading no code good chance its a light/short
Oil pump low pressure test with external pressure meter
Oil pressure sending unit

Once you determine you have oil pressure is good then its a fair chance you have a bad sending unit otherwise its a bad oil pump. Replacing an oil pump is not hard if you ca get the pan off without lifting the motor, Otherwise this is a big job

Clean the oil from the engine anywhere you can see it, and determine where the oil is leaking from. If a gasket, purchase the gasket from a reputable parts store, or your local Honda dealer. If a seal, purchase a new seal from the same.

Replace offending part, oil leak will cease.

You'll have to remove the oil pan to access the oil pump. And no it does not have to be primed. Why do you want to replace the oil pump? Did the oil pressure gauge indicate low pressure? If so did you check the oil pressure sending unit?

the oil pressure sending unit must be defective - it should be located close to oil filter - if another sending unit is purchased you can compare the two - most sensors only plug up one way - the light should be working thru ground - light may not come on if sending unit is unplugged as a test

is it an ex?
is it a bad leak?
it could be 2 things
1) oil pressure sending unit above the filter
2) "o" ring between the oil cooler and block on ex models only. the oil cooler is between the filter and block with 2 coolant hoses attached to it. also might be the oil filter. i replace alot of sending units and oil cooler o rings.