Oil pressure pegged at 80

[Burrito]

Looked down at my gauges on my way home from work and noticed the oil pressure gauge is pegged at over 80. I had just stopped to get gas and added some Techron additive. I don't recall the oil pressure being high just prior to getting gas and adding the Techron. Is it possibly coincidence that my oil pressure sensor or the gauge is faulty, or is this most likely a result of adding Techron? Why would the Techron cause this?

 

If it helps - With the vehicle off, when I turn the key to the on position, the gauge reads between 70 and 75. When I start it it resets to 0 then gradually climbs to over 80 within a couple seconds.

 

The vehicle is a 2006 suburban with 105,500 miles.

[txab]

It's not the Techron. You've got either a bad sending unit or bad stepper motor in the Instrument cluster. Also check for good connection of the wiring at the sending unit.

[Burrito]

I've been reading on the sending unit and see that it's an inexpensive yet pain to change. How do I test if it's the stepper motor?

[txab]

If you have a handheld scanner, or can borrow one, that reads real-time engine data, you would be able to see what the sending unit is registering.

[gapost]

Changing the sender is a 10 min job. Five if you have done it before. Use a 1-1/1"6 socket with a universal joint and 6" extension. It is on the top of the block on the driver side behind the intake manifold and has a wire connector plugged in to the top of it. It is more likely the sender and not a stepper motor, especially if all the other steppers are working correctly. Plus, it is much easier to change the sensor than a stepper motor.

[Burrito]

Went and bought a sending unit. Now trying to get the original one off. Can't get the socket on it. Seems like the tight area may require a socket with really thin walls? I can't see but I can feel some other parts right around the base of the sending unit? Does that sound familiar? Any suggestions?

[gapost]

I don't recall anything around the bottom. The socket should be a 1 1/16" deep well. There wasn't much in the way on my 03, which should be the same.

[Burrito]

Well, you guys are flat out awesome. Got the old one off after unplugging some sort of flat electrical plug in order to get my socket where it needed to be. Installed the new one. Plugged it and the flat one back in. Gauge reads accurately! Many thanks guys. I love this site.

[Burrito]

Also want to give credit to my local Advance Auto Parts store. They were very helpful and knowledgeable.

 

The hard part of this fix was not being able to see a dang thing. Did it all by feel. Arm is a little scuffed up, but it'll heal as always.

[Bent valve]

Sorry to dig this up but, I have a inop oil pressure gauge.. Should I try the sender 1st..I have seen where the dash has a lot of problems..I found a dash guy that charges $150 shipped to redo the dash...don

[txab]

Sender first