1988 300E jumpy oil pressure gauge at idle
 

The gauge goes up to 3 and stays there most of the time when driving but after coming to a stop, the needle settles down to 1 and then jumps up to 2 and then back down to 1 again and again until accelleration begins again. The sending unit was replaced about 500 miles ago.

Any ideas?

Need yet ANOTHER sending unit, sorry! Sending unit is the only thing I know off that will do this.

I went rooting around my engine compartment to trace an unrelated issue and found crusty ground wires near the throttle cable area. Insulation cracked, wires exposed, etc.

My main harness was replaced years ago, but when I played with these wires, my oil pressure gauge needle jumped around like crazy!

Jumpy Oil Pressure guage
 

I think it has been reported elsewhere, and it is true too that it is normal for the guage to drop from 3 down to from 1 to 2 when stopped(idling). If it is erratic, though, could be a bad connection to the pressure gauge. If the pressure drops suddenly when you are driving, then I would worry! A lot.

cheers

Al