Oil Pressure Sender

[specialist]

I'm currently experiencing some problems with my 2002 Carrera Cab. The oil pressure gauge randomly will send a fault to the computer showing that the pressure switch has failed. This normally shows with the gauge showing a maximum reading, then the computer sends the gauge to zero. After looking over the fault with a hand held diagnosis, it appears the gague cluster is fine, but the pressure switch has failed. My local dealer (Hendric) had the switch on the shelf for ~$40. The parts catalogue shows the switich on 1-2-3 side cyllinder head (driver's based on looking at my engine), but my PDF repair manual conveniently skips most of the sender installation and replacements on the engine. Has anyone else done this replacement? Do you have any idea of the torque required? Any sealing materials needed? Is this really on the drivers side?

I'm guessing I ought to leave my locktite in my tool box for this one. I'm planning on doing it with my next oil change. Since the car has about 80K miles on it now, I figure changing the oil every 6 mos or 7500 miles probably is cheap insurance anyway.

Thanks in advance!

Specialist

[Loren]

If you have the factory manual it is covered in section 24 46 20 Removing and installing intake distributor - pages 24-4 page 5.

A 10 minute job.

[specialist]

Thanks Loren,

I figured I must have been missing this thing somewhere.

Specialist

[specialist]

Loren,

I must have an older manual, or at least a different version. I did find the "Disassembling and assembling intake distributor" section, but it's under 24 46 37 and starts on page 24-6. I don't see a mention of the oil pressure sender in there. Do I have the wrong version (c. 1998)?

Sorry to keep pestering,

Specialist

[Loren]

I don't think you need the manual.

It is on the right side of the engine near the air intake distributors. It has two wire and screws into the block.

Here is a pic of one we put on a Boxster - it will look the same on a Carrera (but a little harder to get to).

[RFM]

The sensor is located between cylinder 5 and 6 ( passenger side LHD car) on top of the cylinder head. Remove the shield in front of the spark plugs, bend an open 19 mm key to 90° to remove and install the sensor.

[specialist]

Thanks again folks.

I'm going to give this a shot in a couple of days. I'll post pictures to this thread when I get it done.

Specialist

[specialist]

The sensor is located between cylinder 5 and 6 ( passenger side LHD car) on top of the cylinder head. Remove the shield in front of the spark plugs, bend an open 19 mm key to 90° to remove and install the sensor.

Thanks again for the help RFM and Loren. I did the swap, but found a slightly easier way to reach the oil pressure sender without lifting the car or pulling the spark plug coil heat shields. I found, while detailing the engine bay, that I could reach into the bay up to the oil pressure sender on the passenger side of the car. I happened to have a set of crowfoot wrenches that go with my torque wrench. They are about 50$ at Sears right now. These look like the open end wrench head, but can go on an extension bar like a socket. By reaching in with the crowfoot on a 6" extender, I could get the wrench on the nut at the bottom of the sender, and used my wrachet to loosen the socket after unplugging the two wires on top and unhooking the battery. I then unscrewed the old by hand and screwed in the new to finger tight. I then tightened the new sender in the same way ~1/4 turn and re connected the wires. It looks like it's working fine!

Specialist