Chevy 350 Oil Pressure Sensor Location: Symptoms of a Bad Sensor and Replacement
The Chevy 350 is one of the best engines General Motors made back in the day. Customers love it for its durable, easy-to-upgrade, and simple nature. Plus, the parts are cheap and can take a lot of abuse. However, no matter how reliable a motor is, it will display issues sometimes.
If the oil pressure sensor of your vehicle is giving problems, you want to diagnose it first. For that, know about Chevy 350 oil pressure sensor location first.
Location of Chevy 350 Oil Pressure Sensor
Generally, the oil pressure sensor is located by the bottom right end of an engine, sitting between the oil pan and the oil filter. For a Chevy 350, you can find it near the distributor at the rear of an intake manifold.
The one on top of the oil filter has to be plugged and the one close to the head resembles a water jacket plug.
How to Access the Oil Pressure Sensor
Disconnect the negative battery terminal before dismantling the top of the engine. Remove the top. Find the coil wire and pop it off. Make sure to mark all the wires as you want to know where they all go.
You have to remove all the wires from the passenger side in order to unscrew the cap. Now remove the two bolts using a 5 ½” mm socket. At this point you have reached the wires of the distributor.
Take off all the tabs adjoining it. Now you want to reach down to the distributor and you should find the OP or Oil Pressure switch.
Symptoms of a Bad Oil Pressure Sensor or Switch
If there is an issue with a Chevy 350’s oil pressure sensor, it will normally trigger the engine oil pressure light. Alternatively, it could result in an incorrect reading from the oil pressure gauge.
As a rule of thumb, the minimum oil pressure per 1,000 rpm is 10 PSI on an engine. Therefore, idle oil pressure measuring at 10 to 15 PSI is okay, as your RPMs lower to 600 to 800 at that time.
Check out the three most common signs of a bad oil pressure sensor or switch below:
Continuous Blinking of the Oil Pressure Light
The low oil light on your vehicle’s dashboard deals with everything oil of the car. Naturally, it will be triggered if the oil pressure sensor malfunction.
However, an illuminated oil light can also mean other things such as low oil levels. We advise you don’t jump to that conclusion just yet.
The only way to understand whether the warning is correct or not is by inspecting the oil level manually. You can blame the oil pressure sensor if the oil level reads normal.
Wrong Readings from the Oil Pressure Gauge
Electronic gauges are more accurate than mechanical gauges. The latter is commonly found in older vehicles. An oil pressure gauge can indicate problems despite the oil levels being correct if the oil pressure sensor has gone bad.
There are other reasons behind the oil pressure gauge sending weird signals. For example, the part may have deteriorated or there may be connectivity concerns.
An electronic oil pressure gauge sends electronic signals that translate to readings. It will tell the driver the oil pressure sensor has gone bad by giving incorrect readings or behaving like a mechanical gauge would – showing 0.
Your engine oil level will not dip that easily so don’t be persuaded to think that is the problem without checking physically with a dipstick. Many drivers aren’t aware that adding too much oil to an engine bears negative implications too.
Oil Pressure Light On
Your vehicle’s dashboard is decorated with a number of lights to let you know about the health of the motor. So the oil pressure gauge light on the dashboard is the best way to know if the oil pressure sensor has gone bad.
Let’s say your vehicle has the lower oil pressure warning light on but continues to run quietly. That is a telltale sign of an oil pressure sensor.
A sensor of an engine can be compared to an organ of the human body. Anytime it’s gone bad, it will start behaving erratically in the form of sending wrong readings.
An engine suffering from poor oil pressure can produce a grinding or ticking noises. Learn how to differentiate between when the sensor is only doing its work versus when its acting out.
When the warning light has had just about enough of the incorrect readings, it will go off.
Can You Drive with No Oil Pressure Sensor?
No, you cannot drive with a bad oil pressure sensor or none at all. It can ruin your car’s engine, breaking it completely. If you see the oil light flashing on when you are driving or the motor is running, stop the car immediately at a safe location and have the issue addressed.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Oil Pressure Sensor?
According to mechanics, the average cost for a Chevy 350 oil pressure sensor replacement is $127-$146. The labor costs will account for about $73 to $92 of the costs, while parts go for $54.
Keep in mind that this estimate does not include fees and taxes, and neither does it factor in the change in costs due to location.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The usual signs of a faulty oil pressure sensor would be a static or blinking oil pressure warning light, illuminated check engine lights, faulty oil pressure gauge reading, and grinding noises from the motor.
An oil pressure switch triggers or activates the oil pressure warning light when it detects low oil pressure. In contrast, the oil pressure sensor is tasked with measuring the real oil pressure and transmitting corresponding signals to the oil pressure gauge in order for the latter component to give an accurate reading.
Yes, you can. Similar to other components of an engine, the oil pressure sensor is detachable and can be taken out when needed.
No. All you have to do is locate the sensor. We recommend you “wire brush it” before starting the engine, let it warm up a little to make the removal easier.
Conclusion
That concludes this discussion on Chevy 350 oil pressure sensor location. While the problem does not start as something serious, it deteriorates over time if left unattended. Once you realize there is something actually wrong with the sensor, we suggest you get it checked and repaired/replaced as necessary.
Stay safe on the roads!
You Can Also Read: