Due to the many new parts and the modern design of engines, you may not find every part right away. When you do find them, you may have a lot of work to remove them and install the replacement part. The oil pressure sensor is one such part.
According to our research, this part is located above the starter or it is located behind the ECM wire harness on the driver’s side of the engine. To get to it you have to remove the fuel filter housing and loosen a bolt from the wire harness.
To learn more about this part’s location, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to find this part quickly. Then it should not take too much time to remove it so you can put a new sensor in.
This may not be an easy part to find when you need a new one. It is not going to be at your big box stores or an RV outlet. You would have to go to those stores or parts departments that specialize in diesel engines to get a new one.
The good news, if you can call it that, is that this little part may only cost you around $50 give or take a few dollars. That is at one store. If Cummins’ store has it in stock, look to pay around $900 to $1000.
The price difference is that the former is just a switch and the latter is the actual sensor. Make sure you do not get confused between the two as there may be some updating to the engine’s computer to accept either part.
The location is not very good. This is a small part and it fits into a small area of the engine. That is okay but when you look at all the other parts, cables, and bolts surrounding it, you may have a difficult time removing it.
The part is supposed to be located just above the starter and towards the rear of that part. Other engines may have it in different places as we have seen photos of the part placed on the side of the block next to a blue hose.
Other photos have shown it buried under wires, cables, and bolts. Those photos were close-ups so we could not see what other parts the sensor was next to. You may be able to find a diagram on the internet or talk to a local diesel mechanic to help you find it.
It is not located in a very convenient spot. You will have to do some work to get to it and remove it without hassle. You should be able to spot it easily enough as there is a weatherproof plug attached to it.
You should also see the wires that are connected to it. Trace those wires to the plug and you should see it with no problem. If you are looking for a replacement, the part #4921511 and right now it is currently unavailable on Amazon.
The Cummins store did not have the part in stock either. It can be an expensive little piece of equipment as it can cost around $1000. Some dealers have replaced this sensor with a simple switch.
It simply shows on or off and does not do a lot of sensing. But the switch is a lot cheaper than the sensor.
The right tool for the job. That is the key motto for any mechanic, construction worker, and any tradesman. The socket for this part looks like a spark plug socket. it is long and slender working with a 3/8” driver or a 1 1/8” wrench.
If you are working on a variety of engines that have this part, it would be best to pick up a kit that has more than one socket inside. The key to removing this part is that you do need the special oil pressure socket to remove or install it.
This socket’s size is 1 1/16” with special reliefs to make it fit the part. You will have to check those stores that deal in tools for engines to find the one you need for this motor. There are some lists posted on the internet that review this socket and try to get you the best of all of the ones on sale today.
It is going to be hot and miss with this part. The reason we say that is because the symptoms that tell you there is something wrong with the sensor, are the same as if there is something actually wrong with your oil pressure.
What this means is that if you see a check engine light come on, you could have a problem with your oil pressure or you have a problem with the sensor. If the gauge does not show you the correct oil pressure, then the same situation applies.
Many times you have to stop and check your oil to see that everything is okay. But if you see these signs, you cannot ignore them as you never know which problem is which until you investigate.
The location of this oil sensor is not in the most convenient place. But it is a very helpful part when it is working correctly. The sensor helps you protect your engine by letting you know about the oil situation.
The trouble is, you will never know if the sensor has gone bad or if you have an actual oil pressure problem. This can get tedious as you do have to stop and check to make sure your engine oil is okay.