Check gauges light comes on, oil pressure fluctuates, then goes to 0

530

Asked by MustanGoddess Jan 28, 2015 at 05:15 PM about the 2007 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT Quad Cab RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

This started last week, first my check gauges light came on while driving down the highway.  I pulled over, checked the oil, which was fine, then it ran fine.  This problem continued until yesterday when the check gauges light stayed on and the oil pressure stayed at 0, even though oil was fine.  Today, the truck would not start at all; tried to turn over, but never would, then died completely. Any ideas?

37 Answers

530

There is a minor coolant leak; gasket needs to be replaced, however, no oil leaks.

21 people found this helpful.
157,115

Is the battery dead or bad?

15 people found this helpful.
530

The battery was fine until a little while ago. My truck has a remote start feature. Had planned on going in to town and used the key fob to start it and warm it up as usual, not thinking about the ongoing oil pressure issue. When I went out to get going, the truck hadn't started, so I tried to start it manually and discovered that it wouldn't even turn over. I am thinking that trying to start drained the battery?

19 people found this helpful.
12,585

you probably drained the battery trying to start it. the original problem sounds like the oil pressure sending unit or the oil pump. cross your fingers and hope for the sending unit.

23 people found this helpful.
13,555

the remote start didn't work due to the fact that you have 0 psi on the oil pressure gauge the pcm monitors this and most likely set a code ...// with an active code it disengages the remote start feature until the active code is fixed ...// hopefully its a pressure sending unit and you didn't seize the engine

16 people found this helpful.
795

drop your oil pan. The oil pick up line for your oil pump a lot of times will get clogged with carbon, sludge, and pieces of paper from old oil filters. just drop your oil pan and clean out from in front of the screen. Not hard and fixes your oil pressure problem.

61 people found this helpful.
530

Thank you all so much for your responses and advice. I picked up a sending unit, will get it in this weekend. Crossing fingers it does the trick!

13 people found this helpful.
340

check gauges light come on replace alternator and batt still not getting pressue on batt gauge

34 people found this helpful.
800

My check guages light comes on and I just replaced the battery and alternator what could be the problem someone please explain what the problem could be

80 people found this helpful.
250

What happened ? Did the sending unit do the trick ? I have same problem

25 people found this helpful.
1,240

Chk guages means all gauges . Voltage /temp/oil/ etc etc . Anyone of the gages could cause that warning light . Make sure you havevthe proper voltage ,,that the temp Guage isnt too high or too cold . (Possibly not working ) . Look for random fluctuations in the gauges as well .could be an intermittent issue you just haven't noticed .

17 people found this helpful.
270

My 07 ram 1500 did the same thing -- check gauge came on !! Couldn't figure it out til I saw battery gauge too low- anyway turned out to be both battery and alternator were both bad !! Different from check engine -

27 people found this helpful.
660

Same thing with me... so, what "exactly" fixed the problem or stopped the "Check Gauges" light from coming on as the Oil Tac fell back to zero?

56 people found this helpful.
920

I am also having this problem with the check gauges light coming on when I first start it and having no oil pressure. Oil is good no leaks. I shut my truck off turn it back on and the lights off and oil pressure is good??!! 2005 ram 1500 5.7 HELP

92 people found this helpful.
900

Same with me, 1998 ram 1500 5.9. Some times when I brake the check gauges light comes in and it seems that the oil pressure drops to 0 but as soon as it drops it comes back to normal. Any suggestions or thoughts?

90 people found this helpful.
200

I have the same problem with my 03 Ram I poured a bottle of oil in the engine and it stopped having that problem for a few weeks and then after that it started again

20 people found this helpful.
500

I'm having simular issues go out start 05 Dodge 1500 check gauge light is coming on with oil gauge registering 0. It then comes up and stops. What is causing this issue?

50 people found this helpful.
290

Check your ignition switch. When you start the truck, make sure the switch goes into place when you release the key. If it doesn't the check gauges light will come on. How this is helpful.

29 people found this helpful.
590

I have a 2001 dodge ram 1500 my check gauges light keeps coming on and the oil hand is dropping to 0. Will an oil chane help? Does anyone have an answer please help.

59 people found this helpful.
210

I have a 2000 dodge ram van. The check gauges light stays on. All power seems to be failing. Had to jump the car to get it going but does not stay on. Also squeeking sound from engine area...please help.

21 people found this helpful.
590

Check guage, lights oil.pressure guage fine then drops. Truck runs fine. Oil pressure gauge goes back up when driving. Drops when idle? Light comes back on. Tirn off turn on oil guage fine then drops at idle. Idles at 200 rpm's. Any idea?

59 people found this helpful.
240

My 03 Dodge Ram check engine light came on and check gages while driving about 30 mph. Truck powered down for a second then lights went off and truck powered back up without me doing anything. Any ideas?

24 people found this helpful.
200

2008 dodge ram 1500 4.7 check gauge came on went i turn on i shut off and turned back on and light are gone any idea whats wrong with it...

20 people found this helpful.
210

No Guru, but im having the same problem on my 08 Ram. Just started to day....red check guage light came on.

21 people found this helpful.
160

Cal66801. Sounds like the same problem my 03 was having. Turned out to be a cool. Turn the ignition key on and off three times in quick succession with starting the truck. The last time leave it on. Might give you a code on the dash. Look up the code on Google.

16 people found this helpful.
100

i have a 2005 dodge ram and my check gauges coming on when i am driving for some time i tuck it to the dodge dealer and they cant find a code for it can some one tell me what to look for

10 people found this helpful.
140

My 2008 just started doing this, all the gauges look normal, engine seems to have a little whiny noise, Any one have suggestion on what it could be?

14 people found this helpful.
150

My check gauge light was coming off and on checked the oil last week and it was good. Today was driving and it died in the highway looked at the oil stuck not a drop of oil but can’t find a leak and nothing on the driveway. Had it towed home and added oil. It sounds like it’s wanting to turn over but won’t 2003 Dodge Ram 1500

15 people found this helpful.
110

My check gages went on today on my 2000 dodge ram laramie and I've been noticing it's doing it when outside temp is really low and snowing any recommendations would be greatly appreciated...thank you in advance

11 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 98 Chevy Silverado 5.7 and I am having the same problem as Tonyboii. And I have changed my oil sending unit and it's still happening I've changed my battery it's my oil oil gauge still drops to zero when I hit the brakes I would like to know what the resolution was somebody help

6 people found this helpful.
120

07 Ram 1500: I turned truck on yesterday and it immediately died with the Check Gauges light coming on. Gave it 10 seconds and it started and stayed on with everything seeming fine. Today, I'm driving 20mph at a curve and the engine just dies and my steering wheel goes stiff. The lights stayed on. Luckily I was driving slow and avoided going off the road. Gave it 10 seconds and it started and ran normally again.

12 people found this helpful.
20

if the lighting bolt comes on? It could be the intake manifold gasket. My 2004 5.7 Hemi Today the check gage light came on and the oil PSI fell down to zero when I turned a cornner. It was one quart low so I added one quart of oil and it seems fine now. Just sharing.

2 people found this helpful.
30

my 2003 1500 ram is doing the same thing it has the 4.7 and the check guages light comes on with a cold start and oil pressure goes to zero. if i shut the truck off and restart it, it goes away any ideas? oil is fine and truck runs fine.

3 people found this helpful.
30

Did anyone ever diagnose the problem? My 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 king cab showed check gauges light came on & got way too hot I have oil & water in it. I had to stop 3 times to let it cool to get home. I have never had any issues. PLEASE HELP!

3 people found this helpful.
10

fellows ive had the same problem for 3 years with gauge light. changed oil sensor checked batt. and alternator. and other things. finally changed 02 sensors and its fixed it. never would have thought it would but it did.

1 people found this helpful.

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