What the Oil Level / Pressure Sensor (VDO / Murphy / Datcom) does
An oil pressure sender changes its electrical resistance with oil pressure, and the gauge or controller turns that into a reading. If the sender does not match the instrument's range, the reading is wrong — and low-pressure protection may not work.
Faulty senders cause false low-oil-pressure shutdowns, or worse, show normal pressure when it is actually low.
Signs it needs replacing
- Oil pressure reading zero, maximum or fluctuating wildly.
- False low-oil-pressure alarms with a healthy engine.
- Oil leaking from the sender.
Get the right part first time
Send us these on WhatsApp and our engineers will confirm the exact part before you pay:
- Make, thread and model of your current sender.
- The gauge or controller it feeds.
Fitting notes
Use thread sealant suited to the fitting, and do not overtighten into the engine block. After fitting, compare the reading with a mechanical test gauge. On electronic controllers the sender type must be set in the configuration.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my gauge read zero with the engine running?+
Usually a failed sender, broken wire or wrong sender type. Confirm the real pressure with a mechanical gauge before running the engine further.
Are all senders interchangeable?+
No — the resistance range must match the gauge or controller.
Sender or switch?+
A sender gives a reading; a switch simply trips at a set pressure. Many engines have both.