Oil pressure indication acting up

[motoadve]

Cessna 182, Continental O470, 50hrs since overhaul.
Has been working flawless until the last flight oil pressure started acting up.
Sensor failure? Loose connector? Any other ideas? '
Sensor was replaced at OH so its only a few months old.

 

[Dan Thomas]

Looks like a sensor failure, or a loose connection at the sensor or gauge.

 

[Chip Sylverne]

Likely a connection, but oil pressure is one of those gotta haves. If it were me, I'd find a mechanical guage as a double check just as a belt and suspenders.
Infant mortality and all that.

 

[robin ardoin]

I just encountered this issue in my 182-S. Different engine but same indication on gauge....bouncing around and occasionally holding at expected value for a few seconds. I have a JPI 830 so I had a backup indication that showed a rock steady 71 psi, oil temps normal. My mechanic, upon telling him my observations, immediately said it was likely the cannon plug for that sensor needed cleaning. He did just that and $60 later all is back to normal. My experience with non-aviation oil senders is that when they failed I got a grossly abnormal indication that did not fluctuate...usually very low. 'Bouncing around' indications were solved by finding the offending connector and cleaning it, or in the case of salt water boats, replacing the connector.