C5 help in Florida

[Dave T.]

If the oil pressure gauge on my C5 is pegged at 80 from the time the key is turned on until it is turned off, is it most likely the oil pressure transmitter? If so, what do I have to remove to get to it? Last resort, any recommendations (other than dealers) in the Vero Beach area for a good, reasonable vette mechanic?
Thanks in advance for any help.

[Edward J.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

Dave the oil sender is accessed from the drivers side, You'll need a 1" inch socket and universal and 12" extension, remove the drivers side plastic engine cover and you see it facing up it is located between rear of engine and firewall.

These are common issues with all Gm models through the years.

[Joe L.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

If the oil pressure gauge on my C5 is pegged at 80 from the time the key is turned on until it is turned off, is it most likely the oil pressure transmitter? If so, what do I have to remove to get to it? Last resort, any recommendations (other than dealers) in the Vero Beach area for a good, reasonable vette mechanic?
Thanks in advance for any help.

Dave-----


It's hard to say what the problem might be. With computer-controlled cars there are a lot more possibilities than there used to be. You really need to follow the diagnostic protocol outlined in the factory service manual.

In any event, the oil pressure sensor is located on the rear of the block, near the top of the block. I do not know what else might have to be removed to get at it. It's still available from GM but not under the original part number. The current part number is GM #12616646.

[Mike E.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

The "Corvette Forum" has hundreds of comments on this very subject. There is specific info even on which sender to purchase as a replacement.

[Richard M.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

This is a common problem with the 3 wire sender on the C5's. The internal seal goes bad and oil leaks into the circuit board, shorting it out and the gauge will always read 80 psi.

My friends '97 had the same problem, and we replaced the sender. Solved the problem. The sender is located behind the fuel plenum, under the wiper cowl. You cannot remove it easily. The plenum has to be removed to replace it. But...........replacement GM senders have been known to go bad soon after replacement. To prepare for this potential DOA scenario, I told him about another method.....

He decided he wanted me to use this "other" method. Remove the wiper cowl, mill out a hole in the cowl just above the sender, and replace the sender. I made a few brackets and replaced the piece I milled out and sealed it up. Once the wiper cowl is back on the repair is indistinguishable. He's happy that if the sender needs to be replaced again he can do it himself without pulling the plenum.

Rich

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p.s. Dave, if you need more info send me a PM. I live in Sebastian.

[Richard M.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

I have a 2001 with the same issue, you need a 27mm or 1 1/16th" deep socket, if you don't want to drill a hole in your

car you will have to pull the intake to remove the OP sensor, You can get a Borg Warner sender from AutoZone or O'reilly's(Brass colored)

they have a lifetime warranty or roll the dice and get the GM MEX E CO sender(silver colored) with the uno year war en T.

Richard

[Chuck G.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

I have a 2001 with the same issue, you need a 27mm or 1 1/16th" deep socket, if you don't want to drill a hole in your

car you will have to pull the intake to remove the OP sensor, You can get a Borg Warner sender from AutoZone or O'reilly's(Brass colored)

they have a lifetime warranty or roll the dice and get the GM MEX E CO sender(silver colored) with the uno year war en T.

Richard

I never had a problem with 2 previous C5's, but recently a friend with a 2001 roadster had the "pegged oil pressure gauge" issue come up on a club road trip. He took the car to a local Corvette specialty mechanic (not a dealer), and they had to remove the intake manifold to replace the sensor....

Chuck

[Joe L.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

All-----


I had an idea that the cowl on a C5 might present a problem but I have no direct experience with oil pressure sensor replacement on a C5.

Also, the GM part number for this piece has been changed twice. This might imply that the part has been improved due to problems with former part numbered pieces.

[Tom H.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PvlDLcyXX8

[Richard M.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

GM seems to have a problem with OP senders, my 92' ZR1 sender when out,(Kelsey Hayes was the supplier), my
2008 Impala SS went out,(same part number as the 2001 Vette) my brother had a 87' Cavalier that had the same
problem, so this is nothing new. Built by the lowest bidder I guess.

Richard

[Terry M.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

Lots of problems with the oil pressure sensors on 1994-1996 B & D-Bodies (Caprice, Impala SS & Fleetwood) with the Gen II LT1. These usually fail to no oil pressure or exhibit wild fluctuations or leak. These are not all the same pressure sensor, as the police cars have a real oil pressure gauge with variable indication and the others have a go/no go sort of indication or light.

Looks like a trend that compliments the fuel level issues.

[Joe L.]

Re: C5 help in Florida

All-----


One other thing: I think if I were replacing one of these things with a GM/ACDelco part, I sure wouldn't want to be sold one of the obsolete part numbers. This could easily happen if one were obtained out of local dealer shelf stock or, even, a local Delco warehouse stock. As I previously mentioned, I have a feeling the old part numbers were replaced because of problems associated with them. The ones to avoid would be GM #12562230, GM #12573107, and GM #12614969. The latest and current is GM #12616646.

By the way, the latest part is significantly more expensive than the obsolete ones. That may be due to an upgrade in quality/durability.