Oil pressure gauge basics

[76L82]

Although I blieve my 76 has a mechanical oil pressure gauge, if it was an electronic sensor could I tell if the sensor was working without the gauge working? Wouldn't the 'plunger' on the sensor basically be down when the engine is off and then be deployed when the dengine is on, pressurizing the sensor?

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Electronic sensors are variable resistors that change resistance with the amount of pressure applied to them.
So yes, you can varify operation by attaching an Ohmmeter to the output leads of the sensor and read the change in resistance, without having a dashboard gauge hooked up. The sensing units are based on strain gauges laminated to a steel diaphragm inside the sensor, and will not visibly move. At least not enough to see any movement.

 

[76L82]

wish - please tell me you work on nuclear reactors or build rockets or something like that in your spare time...that was an AWESOME response! Thank you!

I grew up with 5 sisters and no brothers and my Dad, although a very talented mechanical guy, HATED to have to work on cars...he did it because he said he had to in order to get to work the next day. So I got my exposure to cars from the older guys on the block who were rebuilding Cudas, Chevelles, GTO's etc. Those were fun times but my limited knowledge of cars pretty much stops at 1971 vintage vehicles and unfortunately I didn't get to learn the elctronic part of it either.

Thanks for helping me out!

 

[wishuwerehere82]

wish - please tell me you work on nuclear reactors or build rockets or something like that in your spare time...that was an AWESOME response! Thank you!

I grew up with 5 sisters and no brothers and my Dad, although a very talented mechanical guy, HATED to have to work on cars...he did it because he said he had to in order to get to work the next day. So I got my exposure to cars from the older guys on the block who were rebuilding Cudas, Chevelles, GTO's etc. Those were fun times but my limited knowledge of cars pretty much stops at 1971 vintage vehicles and unfortunately I didn't get to learn the elctronic part of it either.

Thanks for helping me out!

I Used to build Nuclear reactor power plant monitor systems for a living, and recently did integration work for silicon VLSI and MEMS sensors and actuators for Hydrodynamic drop ejectors (Ink Jet Printheads).
And I haven't built rockets since 6th grade.:L

 

[Ezmunie]

I Used to build Nuclear reactor power plant monitor systems for a living, and recently did integration work for silicon VLSI and MEMS sensors and actuators for Hydrodynamic drop ejectors (Ink Jet Printheads).
And I haven't built rockets since 6th grade.:L

So, what did you do in your spare time?

 

[wishuwerehere82]

Drive my Corvettes.