F-ing mechanics...bhg.. now oil pressure sender...

[sluggo42]

So I finally get my car back from the bhg getting soaked for more than I care to admit to after all said and done, and I notice the oil pressure doesn't work. so I take it back and the dude tells me the sender is bad and he'll need to hit me a couple hun to buy a new one and install it.

I told him that "gee, it was working when I brought it in to you, is it possible you mech did something to it?

He says "I have no way of knowing whether or not it worked before, and his staff didn't do anything to it, it just went out"

Needless to say, I'll never go back to this a-hole again, but I now need a sender and the dealer wants $82 for a new one! I'm so pissed I can barely see straight.

So, I asked him where it is and he told me on the passenger side down low.
Is that where it is, and does anyone have a working used one they want to sell?

Sorry for the rant, but damm! I feel so violated...

 

[GrimJack]

Make sure they plugged it back in... it's a single wire that connects to a sensor just above / in front of the oil filter mount, on the block. Usually has a BIG rubber boot on it.

Chances are they pulled all the wiring from the portion of the engine loom that crosses over the front of the engine - mostly sensors for the thermostat housing, but one of them goes to the oil pressure sender down lower - and 'forgot' to plug it back in.

 

[sluggo42]

That's what I thought, so I took it back. They checked it out and told me it was a bad sensor...

 

[Keros]

Sounds like the kinda guy that wouldn't even give you a reach around.

Chances are the sensor's unplugged and they'll charge you $300 to plug it back in.

 

[airhead04]

Driftmotion sells them for 40 bucks i think. Try them first.

http://store.driftmotion.com/static/i-7m-gteoilpresuresender.php

 

[sluggo42]

nice, thanks for that!

Does anyone have a pic or reference or any tips/links on installing one of these momma-babies?

As always guys, thanks for the help in advance

 

[stomis]

Go back and inform him that theres no way he did your head gasket without removing the connector to the oil pressure sensor since the harness is routed over the head.Then inform him your no fool and he better straighten out his bs before you contact better business.

 

[grimreaper]

remove the pre turbo intake. Take the power steering belt off and leave the ps pump bracket loose.. Push the pump as far to the left (as if tightening the belt if it where on) as you can. Enjoy the next 10 minutes of back ache as you slide a wrench along the block and make progress 1/4 turn at a time Wrench and your hand go in under the water pump from the front of the motor.

I couldn't find a crows foot that had long enough teeth or arms to get to the sensor and still attach to a ratchet. YMMV.

---------- Post added at 07:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:40 PM ----------

Before i would say a dead sensor, i would test the wiring from the ecu to the sensor side. Ground the sensor connector for a second and have a buddy watch the gauge. It should quickly max out then drop back to 0psi. Leave it grounded for to long and you'll cook the gauge in the cluster soo CAREFUL!

From the sounds of the shop you used, id expect them to have cut a wire in the harness.

 

[ForcedTorque]

Here is a good picture of where on the motor it is, and what to look for. That rubber boot covers over it, and it houses the harness plug. It is much easier to access from underneath the car.

Your story is sounding like Supramania can definitely help you! You should research here, and ask questions before ever taking your car to a F-chanic. Many things with this car sound difficult, but are very simple to do with the help of those who have done it all before. Don't be afraid, we were all there before. I personally was just as green with my first Supra. Now there is very little I can't do without some helpful knowledge.

 

[sluggo42]

Thanks ffor the pic! that helps a lot!

 

[ForcedTorque]

You can click the picture to see it full size

 

[supraduper]

i have an extra one kicking around, from my old engine... if you want it pm me

 

[YoungGunSupra]

btw if you live in SOCAL. around the LA area...dont just go to any mechanic...get your work done at driftmotion...much better pricing and aaron will tell you exactly what needs to be done...no BS

 

[Nick M]

And before you install you will insure it is plugged in. If it is and then you change it and the gauge works again, will post again saying," oops?". What I always saw is how many people look at the car closer after you work on it. Which is why you get a laundry list of things wrong when you come in.

Because people like you, not necessarily you, but people like you don't know what is up with their car.

 

[sluggo42]

Say Nick, I'm not sure what you're saying here. What do you mean "oops"?
Perhaps you didn't understand my post. I said that when I brought the car in, the oil pressure worked. After they changed the head, it didn't when I got it back. They clain they were not the cause of the failure, and they aren't going to fix it, as I can't prove it worked when I brought the car in.
I find that to reek of bull s---.
So are you asking me to say "oops" after I change it out and find out that it did indeed mysteriously fail while in their care? I have no problem with that.
Do you think the shop will reimburse me for a few hours at $85 per hour to find out that they didn't plug it in properly? Is it possible that they banged it somehow while removing the head and damaged it?

Please understand I have no issue with any specific "mechanic", my problem is with the standard practice of almost every shop to extract every last penny from every customer that walks into their shop, and don't try for one second to tell me they don't that they don't. A service writers job is to do just that.

And when you refer to "people like me" who don't know shit about their car is why these mechanics take advantage of the situation. Also, as far as not knowing anything about a car, perhaps the problem isn't that I don't know, but that rather that I choose to have someone else do the work as I'm a little older and don't have the space, tools, or health to tear into a car these days. Perhaps the problem is that I DO KNOW that they are trying their best to screw me to the wall.

Case point - My 72 year old mother in law took her Lexus 400 LS (my old car) into the shop because the brake light came was sporatically lighting up. They racked up an estimate of $4500 because that poor car needed everything, power steering pump (I had it replaced by certified lexus dealership 10K miles ago) full brakes front and rear with new rotors, master cylinder, etc. (I had the front brakes and fluid changed 12K miles ago, again by the dealer) and so on.
I had her take it to the Lexus dealership and worked with my friend (service writer at dealer). We replaced the rear pads and turned the rotors to the tune of $250 out the door.

So please with all due respect, don't refer to me or anyone else as "you people who don't know anything" as being the problem in this equation.



I take it you are one of "those" mechanics and you are defending them?

 

[oldsking]

I'm here for ya man, I can't stand mechanics because they THINK they know it all! Normal shops like that they are working off commission so yeah they want to squeeze it out. Personally I'd change the sensor yourself because knowing them they ripped it off and didnt say anything

 

[whitemike]

If it worked before, and not after, chances are that It's still unplugged IMO. I'd check the connection before buying another.

---------- Post added at 11:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 AM ----------

BTW, here's another pic showing it.

 

[RazoE]

don't get a JDM one either cause it's cheap; they won't work with the USDM gauge..

where in SoCal are you?

I'm sure there's many of us willing to help you out for a beer, or a burrito..

 

[whitemike]

burrito

RACIST!

lol

 

[RazoE]

RACIST!

lol

not with me, I'm full blooded Mexican...