Oil Pressure Gauge Swings

[swirvin]

I just purchased a 1986 Porsche 944 (with the VDO instrument panel) and took it out for a spin for about an hour. When starting out the oil pressure gauge was steady between 3 and 4. While driving to the highway there were a few red lights I had to stop at and everything was fine, the car shifted smooth with no problems. After driving about 30 minutes straight I had to stop at a light and noticed the oil pressure needle was swinging between 0 and 5 (It does not do that while driving, only when stopped). Any idea what could be causing this or what I should look at to try and troubleshoot the problem?

Not sure if this is related but while the oil pressure gauge is swing the car bucks wildly when I start to accelerate in first gear. I have to start with the engine rev'd at high RPMs to get it to not buck as much.

Where do I start troubleshooting?

-= Irv =-

[swirvin]

Here's an update to my original post...I'm not sure what I was seeing the first time I took the car out but here's what's actually happening, when driving the oil pressure gauge does not swing, it reads pretty steady on the high side of 4. When I an stopped the gauge starts to swing between 0 and 2. Is this normal?

Also, the bucking in first gear I mentioned was all me. I wasn't giving the car enough gas when starting in first gear. Unlike my Jetta I have to give this car significantly more gas to get it going.

-= Irv =-

Edited September 18, 2010 by swirvin

[pattonlowe]

swirvin.

Your problem may be different than mine, but my oil pressure gauge works intermittently. I have a 1986 944 Turbo. I replaced the sending unit and had the gauge cluster rebuilt by a VDO dealer (other issues than just the oil pressure gauge). The problem has not been corrected but the next step to check the wiring. I'd recommend starting with the sending unit $30 - 50 part and 1 - 2 hour labor, then the wiring. I return when I have fixed my problem.

patton.