I have a 2002 dodge ram 1500 w 176,000 + miles. When i come to a stop the check engine gauge comes on and the oil gauges immediatly drops. If I idle then the check engine light turns off. I done hear any weird noises but it still has me worried. please help!

If the oil level is good and the oil itself is also good you might want to try a different oil filter. If that doesn't help the engine may have a serious problem like a spun main bearing. A mechanical oil pressure gauge would help in the event the dash gauge is bad, however I've not seen one just read low they normally just quit. I hope this helps. Take care.

First hook up a mechanical pressure gauge to get a true reading--you may just have a bad sender. If pressure is less than 10 to 15 psi at hot dead idle, tell us how many miles on engine--what oil you are using--how often you change it. I have sometimes gone up one notch on thickness of oil on worn engines and run them many more miles.

Pressure regulator on the oil pump time for a new one

Well I have never heard of anything like that but will help take a wild guess I would get a electrical diagram I wonder if it isnt a electrical issue It might be a wire that runs up to the dash

you are low on oil in the engine- brake hard and watch the pressure gauge it will drop also---you are at least 3 qt's low.

If the valve lifters are quiet you most likely have oil pressure even with gauge showing "0".Sounds like the oil pressure switch going bad.I would try that first.

I would stop driving it right away and test the oil pressure with a gauge. If at an idle when its cool you don't hit 30-40 psi....change the oil pump. The knocking is probably your main bearings. While your installing a new oil pump, put new mains in.

Could be the oil pressure sender has gone bad or worse case scenario the oil pump has worn out. Check the oil presssure sender first, if it is leaking around it then that is the cause, if not then you may be looking at an oil pump. Just had a 03 ram 2500 doing the same thing and it was the sender, but that was a hemi and it had 230000 miles and a month later had to replace the oil pump for same issue.

Change the oil! The 318Cu in V8 (5.2 liter) engine has a problem with sludge build up on the oil pump pickup tube screen. This engine requires oil changes at or before 3500 miles with a high detergent oil.

I have a 1999 dodge ram with a 5.9liter. Come to a stop and bam no pressure. Replaced sending unit twice. First after market, then mopar. Problem is still there. Replaced pump. Problem was still there. So I talked to tons of dodge mechanics, and this is the real problem. Who ever said that these engines are none for sludge is just reall really stupid. BOTTOM LINE ON THAT FACT. Sludge comes from neglect...
Dodges oil pump makes 8-10 Psi at idle. Always mechanically test that no MATTER what. But the sending unit needs 12-14 psi to read it. So what happens is the engine warms up, and the oil thins. Then you come to a stop, and rpms are low, and your not producing enough psi for the sending unit to read it. So your truck is fine. But if the chime is getting to you. Install a high volume pump. I returned the stock one, and got the high volume pump. I will bet if you change your oil every 3,000 miles you will not see sludge at all. If your dodge has high miles replace valve cover gaskets, becauce the high volume pump may cause the gaskets to leak. Whoever said ther none for sludge just has no love for a dodge, or is a moron mechanic that is stuck in his ways. High volume pump is the fix $85.00 plus pan gasket. If you have a 4x4 you can do it yourself. Drop the starter. Remove torque converter cover. With a 13mm socket with a variety of extentions, and removing a dozen bolts. Do it yourselfer will complete it in 4 hours....