low oil presure and discharging

[tripleblkr/t]

I just fired up my rebuilt motor up in my car and my gauges are telling my oil pressure is only 20 lbs and I'm discharging. Doesn't even look like my alternator is working? Every thing is new except for my gauges. It takes awhile for the oil gauge to get up to 20lbs and when I rev it up it still wont go any higher. Any ideas on what my issues are with it. I've had it on the dyno about 3 months ago and every thing was great with the oil pressure.

[b5blue]

Poor connections on back of cluster will do both....poor grounds also....check bulkhead connector for crappy contact too.

[nascarxx29]

Is the oil pressure sender good.And the big one.The right type for the gauge.As the short type is for a warning light.Also the gray wire going to oil sender if you remove that wire from sender.And hold to ground.And turn key on gauge will rise to its highest limit.And fall back with key off.Telling you the gauge is working and will travel to its limits.As for the electrical issues bad grounds loose or corroded connection will cause many issues also checkout amp gauge connections.Alt &regulator need to be properly grounded to work correctly. This no charging and diagnosing was covered in here hope this helps

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,59529.msg663979/topicseen.html#msg663979

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,59558.0.html

[TylerCharger69]

maabe that regulator on the back of the cluster going bad???   

[nascarxx29]

The Instrument Voltage Regulator on back of dash converts 12 volts to 5 volts.To all gauges except the amp gauge

[tripleblkr/t]

Alright, I took my alternator off and took it in to Advanced Auto and it turned out to be bad. That's the second brand new alternator that I've bought lately that's turned out to be bad. Should have my new one tomorrow. My oil pressure is still only at 20lbs. A bad alt wouldn't bring my oil pressure gauge down would it?

[nascarxx29]

The stock oil gauge is strictly not a pressure gauge.It needs voltage to work correctly.If you want to get a accurate reading of direct oil pressure.You can either remove the oil sender and get a oil pressure line and gauge and check pressure.Or remove the other fitting beside the oil sender.And and install a fitting and line kit for a second gauge

[tripleblkr/t]

Hooked up a oil gauge to it and it now reads 45lbs of oil pressure. Somthing is really messed up with my dash. My alt gauge still acts like it's discharging as well.

[nascarxx29]

Your alternator checked out ok .How about voltage regulator..And hows the amp gauge and its connections.If your testing stock oil gauge remove gray wire from oil sender ground it turn on key .Gauge should rise to its highest limit .And return back down with key off.That will atleast tell you gauge reads .Whats the charging system putting out 14.5 volts??

[b5blue]

Check the battery.

[tripleblkr/t]

I took the gray wire off and grounded it and it went to it's highest limit and went back down just like it should. The connection on the back of the amp gauge seem nice and tight. 14.5 volts at the battery so my battery shouldn't die should it?

Your alternator checked out ok .How about voltage regulator..And hows the amp gauge and its connections.If your testing stock oil gauge remove gray wire from oil sender ground it turn on key .Gauge should rise to its highest limit .And return back down with key off.That will atleast tell you gauge reads .Whats the charging system putting out 14.5 volts??

[b5blue]

Remember if you see the gauge to the left of the center the alt. is feeding the battery, if the battery is weak it will keep pulling amps no matter what you do. Try a known 100% good battery. 

[tripleblkr/t]

I just bought the battery the other day, but I'll give it a good charging and see what it does. The battery is reading 12.3 with the key off.

[b5blue]

There ya go!

[tripleblkr/t]

What should the battery be reading when not running?

[b5blue]

12.5-12.8 minumum

[tripleblkr/t]

cool thanks, I'll give it a good charge and see how it works.

[b5blue]

A low slow charge is best, pop the covers so it can breath. 

[tripleblkr/t]

Will do, thanks again.

[b5blue]

P.S. your Chargers one of my favorites! 

[tripleblkr/t]

Thanks, it's almost done just need to fix my dash problems install the window trim, get the front end aligned, and get the brakes to work a little better and I'll be good to go. Also need to put a hood back on it. I've got a new hood and trunk lid on the way as I wasn't happy with the one I had on it. On my trunklid you can see every little seem sealer spot the factory put in it, very weird.

[b5blue]

You mean you can see it from the outside?

[tripleblkr/t]

Yes, look at my last picture I just posted and you can see what I mean. There's like 15 perfect little round circles. With a flat color you can notice it really easy. I blocked that trunk lid out and never noticed any of those spots when I did it. I only noticed it after I painted it out.

[b5blue]

I see.... How the heck! Maybe it was sandblasted in the past....that's a pisser to get that far and find out!