Oil pressure

Just bought an '03 Tundra, with 145k miles, a week ago. Truck runs and drives like a new one, except the oil pressure gauge stays on High all the time, even with engine off. Can anyone shed some light on this problem?

 

Electrical issue. A missing ground wire for that gauge will cause this, or a failed sensor or gauge.

You can test the gauge by disconnecting the battery, gauge should fall to zero with the engine off.

 

It's an issue with the 1st Gens. Looked around the internet and many have the same problem. Mine don't work either. The needle sits at just above the 'H' on the water temp and doesn't move. If I didn't have any oil pressure, my truck would be dead but my truck runs just fine and has over a quarter million miles.

 

If the gauge is the problem, can you buy just the gauge, or do you have to buy the whole instrument cluster?

 

I have not seen the gauge for sale except in a cluster. You might be able to get one from Toyota but I haven't asked. It would seem easier to replace the whole cluster. They seem to run about $150-300. But then the nightmare of replacing the cluster.... If it were that important to me, I would just get an old fashioned oil gauge and put it under the dash. I look at the bright side and say "I can't recall ever reading about an oil pump failure on a Tundra" and if something bad were about to happen to my engine, I'd likely get a check engine light first.