OK what's the difference?

Topic: OK what's the difference? (Read 2591 times) previous topic - next topic

OK what's the difference?

July 13, 2005, 10:46:53 AM

OK, I'm a little confused as to what the difference is (if any) internally between these 2 parts. They mount on the oil pressure switch between the switch and the wiring harness. The top one is from my car and the bottom one is from a 90 LSC. Both are labeled with a resistor symbol (which is basically what it is from what I understand) but the one from the Cougar is stamped with a 6 on it while the LSC one has a 7 stamped on it.
The Ford parts service counter was no help as they initially thought it was a diode for a starter solenoid. Upon correcting them I was told it was no longer available (which was an answer to a question I did not even ask, the guy's a real toolbox!) So anybody know if there is a difference?

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #1 – July 13, 2005, 11:51:37 AM

The number could be the resistance value(probably in ohms), or it may just be the number of the mold they were formed in... To check them out just use a ohm meter(on the lowest scale), and it will tell you the value of the resistors...

EDIT.... The '88 Bird/Coug EVTM lists the resistor as 22 ohms... Don't have a EVTM for the LSC...

Basically the resistor fools the gage into reading approx 2/3 scale no matter what the oil pressure is(idiot gage). If you install a sender from a '88 turbo coupe(or XR7), and throw away the resistor, the gage will be a lot more accurate...

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #2 – July 13, 2005, 12:14:41 PM

Thanks Tom. I took it out because it was doing funky things when it would get hot. I though it was my sender at first, but yesterday I ran the car till it was hot without the resistor with no problems. Therew the resistor in. No problems. Resistor gets hot. Guage goes all funky. The standard Turbo coupe sender is the one that's about the size of a fuel pressure regulator, correct? I have the smaller one now (full digital dash BTW)

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #3 – July 13, 2005, 01:34:28 PM

Quote from: Paul Flockhart

Thanks The standard Turbo coupe sender is the one that's about the size of a fuel pressure regulator, correct? I have the smaller one now (full digital dash BTW)

Yup, thats the one...

Your present sender is just a switch to provide a ground for the resistor that operates the gage. With it the pressure will read the same at idle or 5000 rpm. With the TC sender you should see a change in readings hot/cold, low/high rpm....

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #4 – July 20, 2005, 06:46:06 PM

I wouldn't mess with that on the LSC since it doesn't have an oil pressure gauge, just the idiot light. Removing the resistor may not work well with the switch.

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #5 – July 20, 2005, 08:11:50 PM

The LSC one was from a junker at a yard. As far as the resistor with a guage readout, it makes the guage read high. Mine grounded out without the resistor (seems to be normal if the guage reads past the normal mark). Anyhow, Ive stopped my leak and cleaned up the resistor and threw it back on. Steady 5 bars at all times. Even yesterday with 95 degree heat in traffic.

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #6 – July 20, 2005, 09:48:57 PM

Quote from: Paul Flockhart

Steady 5 bars at all times. Even yesterday with 95 degree heat in traffic.

Thats what it's supposed to do... give you that warm fuzzy feeling even when it may be lieing like a mofookie. As long as there is enough oil pressure(over 6-8 lbs) to close the sender contacts, its gonna read the same pressure.

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #7 – July 21, 2005, 11:59:36 AM

Yeah, I know it's a liar. When it was going all funky before though I checked my pressure. 54 at startup 22 hot idle 46 at 2000 rpm.

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #8 – July 21, 2005, 03:53:49 PM

Ever look at the oil pressure guage after a oil change? It shows 1 bar at start up then jumps to 4and straight to 5 in about 1 seconds of engine run time! First time I thought there was no way the filter filled up that fast. Well now I know that my guage lies more than my boss (Mayor Daley of Chicago).

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #9 – July 22, 2005, 10:21:45 AM

Quote

First time I thought there was no way the filter filled up that fast

Are you putting oil in the filter before you install it?

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #10 – July 23, 2005, 04:43:31 PM

Yea I usually put about 1/2 quart of oil in the filter before I put it on. I found that if I put a whole quart in I tend to spill some. I just didn't think that the oil pump could fill up the other 1/2 quart in 1 second.

Re: OK what's the difference?

Reply #11 – July 23, 2005, 07:09:51 PM

Quote

Yea I usually put about 1/2 quart of oil in the filter before I put it on

Just makin sure.....You're right about spillage if you add too much. I usually get it to 20-24 ounces before I put the new one on.