1996 oldsmobile aurora oil pressure sensor says low oil pressure my mechanic checked it out and replaced the oil pressure sensor and problem still exsists he tested the oil pressure recommended 20 PSI when engine is hot and idling drops to 16-18. Already tried switching to synthetic oil did nothing. please help

IF THE PROBLEM STARTED AFTER THE OIL LEVEL SENSOR WAS BROKEN REPLACE IT.

On the right side of the vehicle is the oil filter box next to the filter is the oil pressure sensor.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lexia-3 V47

This Indicates POOR OIL PRESSURE and PROBABLE OIL PUMP FAILURE, DO NOT DRIVE Before Correcting FIRST Have the Pressure Checked MANUALY IF OK SENSOR is BAD IF PRESSURE is NOT OK OIL PUMP has FAILED and Requires Replacment.

100 psi is to much and will blow the seals in the motor.You need to find out what the oil pressure is suppose to be and if it is to low then replace the oil pump.

see if your oil pressure sending unit is leaking it should be located close to the oil filter. pull the plug off the sending unit to see if oil drips out. if so replace it.

have you verified this pressure with a mechanical pressure guage? if not do so, if so u need an oil pump, any engine rattle noises?

Sounds like your oil pump pressure relief valve is stuck ?

check for the oil pressure sending unit. i'm not sure where on the engine this sensor is on your vehicle, but look for a single wire sensor somewhere on the side of the block. hopefully, there'll be a bit of oil dripping from it, because it's a fairly cheap part and easy to replace. otherwise, you may actually have low pressure from a clogged pump pick tube or bad pump.

If oil is Clean and there is no White Smoke that Disapates Fast, Check for Transmission Cooler (IN RADIATER) Problem

It may seem obvious but do not operate the engine with it overheating as this can lead to more trouble including a cracked engine block.

Low engine oil pressure is a problem because if it exists, the critical engine parts may not get lubricated properly and may fail. Since you have ruled out external leaks, here are some possibilities:

Clogged oil filter or obstruction in the system

Loose wire or faulty oil pressure or oil level sending switch/sensor.

Possible blown head gasket. This is a serious problem that might be accompanied by white or blue exhaust smoke and a burnt coolant or oil odor. Check for oil contamination with coolant. The dipstick may show a brown milky film/sludge or smell like burnt coolant indicating contamination.

Engine oil pump is possibly bad. This is a serious problem. It's usually time to swap out or rebuild the engine, particularly if it has many miles.

Possible but unlikely in this case is a problem with PCU (Power Control Unit) that runs the Information Center. PCU problems are often indicated by getting other unrelated errors on the info display or "DATE NOT AVAILABLE" for extended periods when you start the car.

You did not mention the Check Engine/Service Engine Soon light being on, but if so I would get the trouble codes read at the OBD II connector. The codes might indicate a sensor problem. Some auto stores do this for free. Either way, I would assume the worse case scenario (bad oil pump) and address it immediately. Unfortunately, due to the complex nature of the car, most things are not easy to diagnose and repair by the do-it-yourselfer. Hopefully though it is just a sensor but with a temperature rise, I would be careful.

Best of Luck!

SC442299

1996 Oldsmobile Aurora
4.0L DOHC 32V V8
Autobahn Option