No cleaning the switch won’t fix it but if it is leaking it has a broken seal and is likely the cause for jiggling. If it isn’t leaking it still might be the problem but replacing it is just a cheap and easy guess in hopes of fixing the problem but without the equipment and experience it might be a good shot in the dark for you.
It looks like the sensor was a not the problem, leading me to believe it is
electrical in nature. The problem becomes markedly worse if I am using
devices using electric (ie radio, AC, defroster, etc).
For $10 or so you can get a digital voltmeter that plugs into your cigaret lighter outlet and will allow you to monitor the battery voltage. A cheap precaution.
You have the same problem with a new oil pressure switch?
You can probably get the gauge to stop jumping around by disconnecting the oil pressure sensor(sender) entirely. The gauge won’t jump, but it might turn on a dash warning light. And you won’t have any way to monitor the oil pressure. If I had this problem – and the sensor & its connector seemed to look ok, and the battery voltage wasn’t jumping around – I’d take the car to a shop and have them measure the actual engine oil pressure. Shouldn’t cost much, but there will almost surely be a charge for that test. I’d guess the fee would be in the $50-$100 range.
How old is your battery? Does the starter occasionally seem to drag when starting the engine? If so I would suggest you replace the battery.
I just don’t have a working cigarette lighter
The battery is a year or two old. It never really drags while starting,
but is something to consider. Thank you.
I did replace it and was having the same issue
you don’t need a working lighter, just the socket with power.
I meant that the socket itself does not provide power when anything is
plugged into it. not the lighter itself
That sounds like the fuse may be blown
I would first verify this with a test light, then I’d look in the owner’s manual, to determine exactly where that blown fuse is located, and the amperage
Do any of the other gauges fluctuate, even at the slightest? If yes, check your alternator.
Sorry, no other gauges fluctuate at all.