Yesterday I took out the Instrument Panel and tightened up some screws and changed a couple of bulbs and today I noticed that my oil pressure guage no longer works. It just sits there at Zero and does absolutely nothing.

I checked all connections on the back of the panel and wiggled wires, cleaned terminals and cleaned the sending unit at the oil pan.

Still nothing.

The idiot light comes on when I turn on the ignition and goes out when the engine starts so I assume that I have normal oil pressure.

Is there another sending unit somewhere? Is there an independent fuse? Also Is the connector to the guage on the back of the instrument panel a 4 pronged rectangular black plastic plug? I plug and unplug it and nothing seems to change on the guages so I assume it's the one for the oil pressure.

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

Smiles.

There is an electrical connection on the sender below the oil filter.

I would check the wire and make sure it is not open.

Thanks Donnie... will do!

I found the problem. One of the printed circuits on the back of the instrument panel burned through located between the oil pressure guage and the turn signal bulb. Looks like a ground circuit.

I recall that when I had removed the instrument panel to check the screws and bulbs, I got a spark off the hot clock wire. That probably burnt the ground on the oil pressure ground circuit.

With the luck of the Irish I managed to solder a thin wire across the gap in the circuit.

Works like a champ now!

Smiles.

Glad you got your problem solved.

In the future, it's a good idea to disconnect the battery anytime you perform any service on your car. It may be a pain in the butt, but there are myriads of sensitive circuitry in your car, some that can be damaged simply by the voltage potential carried by your index finger!

Ask any tech. Could save you $$$, and the headache you just experienced.

I heed you advice. Another one for the wisdom file.