96 is obd-2 correct? The gauge is just an on-off switch and the computer swings the needle based on an algorithm. So one side should have voltage. Probably 5 volts like the rest of the sensors. The other side will ground to the PCM.

I wonder if the excessive pressure is somehow messing with the sender and preventing the switch from closing. Like if it's a shuttle valve and it's pushing too far?

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