How do you install an oil pressure sending unit on a 2002 Chevy Impala?

Answer 1

On a 2002 Chevy Impala the Oil Pressure sending unit or Oil Pressure Switch is located on the passenger side of the car, behind the front tire just above the axel shaft. It is to the left of the oil filter and has a electrical connector attached to it.

The easiest way is to take the tire off and use an adjustable wrench to give it small turns and take it out. It is not threaded too deeply and comes out easily when the oil leaks out around it.

To install the new one there are 2 ways:

1) Use the same adjustable wrench and give it small turns till it feels snug then check your oil level fill, accordingly, and check for leaks. I've done it this way twice before successfully after learning not to over tighten and not to use any thing other then an adjustable wrench so as not to damage the metal housing.

2) The second method is to remove the bar across the top of the engine, remove the coolant reservoir then the serpentine belt and finally to unbolt the Power Steering pump and move it aside. By doing this the high pressure hose (metal one) from the power steering pump is out of the way and you can use a oil pressure switch socket (about $10 any auto parts store) to thread in the new sensor evenly all around. The first time I used channel locks and snugged it real tight damaging the metal housing causing the two halves to seperate and leak.

With either method check the low pressure (rubber hose) on the power steering pump when done to make sure it did not become loose and is still on tightly or you'll lose power steering fluid.

I've found with doing it either way original GM parts worked the best. BWD and a few other brands seemed to fail even after I would use the adjustable wrench method or the socket. I shoped around online at GM parts dealers and found it for $45.