I just purchased an '02 Earnhardt edition Monte. I have a question that might make me sound like an idiot, but my oil pressure is causing me some worry. The pressure fluctuates quite a bit when as the engine RPMs change. I've only had the car a few days and want to know if this normal for this car, or do i need to get it looked at? Also, on occasion the guage will not work when I start the engine; but if I turn it off and start the engine again it will start working again. I'm guessing there is an electrical problem somewhere? Or does this mean there is a bigger problem? Anybody had problems like that with their 3800? Any suggestions would be helpfull.

 

Welcome to the forum.

It is normal for oil pressure to fluctuate with engine rpm, but if your gauge is unresponsive at times you may have a problem with it. From what I've read on the forum the stepper motor(s) that operate the gauges can be problematic.

 

Is the gauge around halfway on start up, and as you accelerate can get up to 3/4?

That is normal.

If the gauge isn't working, the sensor is on the oil pan, not a hard swap.

If the gauge is going erratic like stated above, then it's the stepper motor. But that will meant he oil pressure is upside down and not in a zone haha

 

Thanks all; This infomation is a big help. I'm thinking that my stepper motor is starting to get bad. That makes me feel better than having an oil pressure problem.

 

I just bought a 2003 Monte Carlo SS, it has 80,000 miles on it. I have noticed the oil gauge will fluctuate, at idle it will be just a hair below half and when I accelerate it goes up to about 3/4 of the way. I took it up to the used dealer where I bought it they did some kind of test on it telling me it was fine and these kind of car's do this, its normal. The car is driving good, knock on wood. Is this normal?????

 

That's the oil pressure, as you accelerate the pressure gets higher. That's normal.

 

Yes, it is normal for that to happen with the oil pressure.......

 

It's a simple question guys. All you had to say is yes. We don't all know everything.

 

Update: The oil pressure problem I was having was caused by a faulty electrical circuit for the oil pressure sending unit. It was an easy fix once I was able to locate where the problem was.

 

Hi Gloria, Your description of how the oil gauge is responding does sound normal for these vehicles. There is a lot of helpful information in the owner's manual. If you don't have one you can download a copy of it from here:

http://www.gm.ca/media/owners/manual...nual_en_CA.pdf

Enjoy your Monte Carlo...