KIA Oil Pressure Switch

Description

What Does the Oil Pressure Sensor Do?

The oil pressure sensor (also known as an oil pressure sending unit) is a pressure transducer that measures the engine’s oil pressure. As engine oil pressure changes, so does the sensor’s internal resistance.

Most older vehicles have the OPS wired directly to the oil pressure gauge. Typically, one side of the gauge receives battery power, while the OPS provides a ground on the other side. As the OPS changes its internal resistance in response to oil pressure, the gauge is forced to move.

OPS operation is a bit different on many late-model vehicles. In a typical system, the engine computer—often referred to as the powertrain control module (PCM)—receives input from the OPS. The module then relays that information to the instrument cluster, which, in turn, operates the oil pressure gauge or warning light as needed.