Re: Packard dash oil gauge ?

Posted by HH56 On 2013/4/14 9:07:51

The light being on also depends on the sender. There are different pressure ranges before the light actuates or extinguishes. Assuming no actual failure of the sender or the oil pump, then if the light is on and sender has been changed the wrong one could have been installed.

One aftermarket reference gives a 3-5 psi range as proper for Packards. Using that one the light would go out almost instantly and probably never come on except when engine was stopped or there was an actual complete failure. Another gives around a 20 psi range so the light will be on if it is less than a fast idle but goes out at normal driving. Based on the Packard description I suspect they are using something in the 10-15 range but don't remember ever seeing an actual number. Of those aftermarkets listed, without a real Packard sender for comparison than I'd go for the 15-20 range. Better to have a little indication of impending problems than one that waits till something fails before lighting.

There are other higher range senders which would also look the same and fit the hole. If one of those were installed the light might be on most of the time.