Removing 280i Dashboard? Dead oil gauge!

[Lashout_UK]

Hi everybody,

I recently bought a 280i with a non-functioning oil pressure gauge. My Dad tested the sender unit with his ammeter and it was showing (iirc) a varying resistance with engine revs - which I assume is what it is supposed to do? I think there was 12v coming from the gauge to the sender unit.

Anyway - I tried grounding the oil pressure gauge to see what effect that had - when you turned on the ignition, the needle would jump off the stop to the very bottom (not the top!) of the scale, then not move at all. If you left it plugged into the sender and turned on the ignition, the needle didn't move at all.

What is most likely to be at fault here - or is there another diagnostic technique I should try? I have tried a bit of percussion on the gauge

If I have to remove the gauge, do I have to pull the whole dash out? Any tips or should I try and avoid this at all costs....

Thanks & happy motoring,
Lewis

Edited by Lashout_UK on Sunday 10th May 17:06

[peaktorque]

If you disconnect the wire going to the sender, the oil gauge will shoot into the red (high oil pressure).

If you touch that wire to earth (the engine will do) the gauge will drop right down to zero.

If the gauge responds to these tests then I would suspect the sender.