Oil Pressure Gauge Sender

[Bagpussawake]

My oil pressure gauge doesn't appear to work, it goes straight to +5Bar which I understand is most likely either the sender or the wiring. I've got the 5Bar VDO Gauge.

I had a look at the sender and it has two spade terminals on it but only one wire attached to one of them, there is no sign of another wire that could attach to the other terminal.

I'm wondering, should there be another wire going to the sender?
If not, what is the other terminal for?
Is it possible that the one wire I do have is attached to the wrong terminal on the sender?

I'm considering the VDO Sender P/No 360 081 029 004 from these guys:
http://www.etbinstruments.com/Sensors_ancillaries.htm

Anything I need to be aware of trying one of these?

Sorry for so many questions, but having just lost a Scimitar to an electrical fire I'm very nervous about causing a problem with wiring in the Excel!

[amarshall]

Should be a single wire.

When the wire falls off (or fails) the gauge goes to max. It would be worth checking before you replace the sender itself.

You might have it on the wrong terminal but ISTR that when I did that, the car wouldn't even start.

[Bagpussawake]

Thanks Amarshall.

The wire seems firmly attached to the sender, I suppose I should check the dashboard end of the wire next before trying anything rash.

I might give the other terminal a quick try before buying a replacement but I don't like the idea that that might stop the car from even starting....

[MrCoolA]

i have had issues with the sender units, and have tried several replacement ones, but to be honest the best one i had was a 2nd hand one from Mike Taylor and it wotrks fine (most of the time), i have had the wire on the wrong spade and all it does is place the needle straigth to 7 bar but my engine still runs..... I am sure someone will mention that the sender and dial are (in theory) matched pairs.........personally i've not found that an issue