Sensor above oil filter 3 wire

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Finkaire

Finkaire
Joined
Dec 28, 2021
Posts
446
Reaction score
727
Location
California
First Name
Loren
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
Silverado c10
Engine Size
305
Sorry if it’s been discussed, what is the 3 wire switch above the oil filter.
Trying to eliminate as many oil leaks as possible. Changed the valve cover gaskets, and the oil pressure switch behind the distributor. The 3 wire switch is leaking, exactly what is that sensor?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4942.jpeg
    IMG_4942.jpeg
    79.8 KB · Views: 51

Redfish

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2021
Posts
2,398
Reaction score
12,925
Location
Prairieville, LA
First Name
Andrew
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
V1500
Engine Size
350/5.7
Sorry, this one I don't know the answer to. I can speak with some authority about a 1987 because mine is relatively low mileage and is all original.

1987 had a single wire sending unit right above the oil filter and a two wire switch below the distributor.

I am sure you and several other folks on this forum know more about the other years than I ever will.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
4,100
Reaction score
5,954
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Sorry if it’s been discussed, what is the 3 wire switch above the oil filter.
Trying to eliminate as many oil leaks as possible. Changed the valve cover gaskets, and the oil pressure switch behind the distributor. The 3 wire switch is leaking, exactly what is that sensor?
What year and model is your truck?
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
2,897
Reaction score
6,524
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
So there were several ways that GM wired the choke, some use a relay. Your '84 most likely without the relay.

Pull the plug off you may only find 2 spade pins, not 3. The two blue wires, (hard to see) are jumped together in the plug.
 

Rusty Nail

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Posts
9,790
Reaction score
9,692
Location
the other side of the internet
First Name
Rusty
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
350sbc
Didn't that same circuit have something to do with the low oil pressure warning that turns the brake light on?

Sometimes itll turn on while crankling?. No?

What am I thinkin of?
 

BRetty

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Posts
713
Reaction score
1,827
Location
Los Angeles
First Name
Franklin
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
c10
Engine Size
350
I think:

It's a general oill pressure sensor/switch, that was connected to the TH350C torque converter lockup circuit. Were/are the wires going to it green and yellow?
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
4,100
Reaction score
5,954
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
^ I am 99.99 percent sure it is the oil pressure sender for the choke heater. It is so the choke only gets power when the engine is running. Not just anytime the key is in the run position. FWIW the only external components to the th 350c are the tvs,the vacuum switch,and the brake switch.which control converter lockup. Everything else should be the same as most other th350 s
 
Last edited:

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
2,897
Reaction score
6,524
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
@Loren So did you pull the plug off and only find 2 terminals on the switch?

Here is how the heated choke and choke light work:

Key on, current to the choke light and current to the switch on the light color wire. The switch is open with no oil pressure. The current from the choke light bulb goes to the pressure switch. This is the 2 common wires on the switch plug (blue wires). From there the bulb current goes to the choke and grounds through the heater element.

The .03 amp the bulb needs, is not enough to heat and move the choke. The choke light says on.

Start the engine, oil pressure has closed the switch. Now the current that was applied to switch goes to both blue wires. One wire up to the choke with no bulb resistance, and heats the choke. Now with positive current on both sides of the dash choke light and no ground, it turns off.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,179
Posts
910,796
Members
33,675
Latest member
johnalen76
Top