oil sending unit keeps failing

[PaTurboCruiser]

So, I've replaced my oil pressure sending unit twice now, and now the second one is bad. This is on a 2004 pt cuiser GT wih 101,000 miles. I replaced it once back in January with one from Advanced Auto. That lasted a few weeks before it failed, so I replaced that with one from the dealership. That one didn't last more than a few weeks before it failed either. I just bought the car in January, so I'm unsure of the history. Does anyone have any idea why these are failing so quickly? Thank you.

[ptcruisersteve]

Originally Posted by PaTurboCruiser

So, I've replaced my oil pressure sending unit twice now, and now the second one is bad. This is on a 2004 pt cuiser GT wih 101,000 miles. I replaced it once back in January with one from Advanced Auto. That lasted a few weeks before it failed, so I replaced that with one from the dealership. That one didn't last more than a few weeks before it failed either. I just bought the car in January, so I'm unsure of the history. Does anyone have any idea why these are failing so quickly? Thank you.

What code are you getting for the oil pressure sending unit?

[wb2kki]

I would check the wiring, check the actual oil pressure with a mechanical gauge, and lastly when you put it in torque it to spec you may be making it too tight and damaging it.

[03PTCrewser]

Nevermind. On my 1st look I missed a key point that was answered by OP in 1st post.

[GtPt05]

Check the plugs on the PCM. When the senders go bad, they have a habit of pushing oil inside the wire up to the PCM plug. My parts car had that issue. I forget which plug it is...

[Handy_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by GtPt05

Check the plugs on the PCM. When the senders go bad, they have a habit of pushing oil inside the wire up to the PCM plug. My parts car had that issue. I forget which plug it is...

If I remember right, it's going to be plug #3. Had to to replacement the sending unit in my little Vert when I first got it. I used spray electrical cleaner to clean it up.






PS: The OP needs to make sure he's not damaging the new sending units when installing them. Some will crush pretty easily..

[Busted_PT]

Check that if not leaking that sludge isn't stoping up the sensor.

[PaTurboCruiser]

Thanks for the info guys. I never torqued to spec, just tightened until I thought it was good. I'll look into everything that was suggested this weekend