Gauge problem..., Oil pressure gauge skyrockets... Options

[BMXerror]

Okay, my new oil pressure gauge that I just wired up does something weird. When I turn ignition on it shoots all the way past the max reading (80 PSI). I can unplug the sensor wire from either the gauge or sensor side and the gauge stays pegged. If I unplug the ground on the gauge it drops to zero, and doesn't do anything when the engine's turned on (sensor plugged in). You would think it's hard to screw up such simple wiring, but I seem to have managed.
VDO gauge experts, the power lead comes from the fuse terminal to the + terminal on the gauge. The sensor wire is plugged into the 'S' terminal on the gauge. The ground is plugged in on the bottom terminal, which I'm assuming is the ground. That's what the diagram says, anyways. I'm using 16 gauge wire all around. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Any help?
Mark D.

[SLITS]

With the terminals switched or back the way they were and the power on .... ground the oil pressure lead on the engine ..... if the guage swings full reading, the sender is bad.

Oh, BTW, if you are using the stock sender - it will open the circuit as it is not really a variable resistance unit .... it's more or less on and off ... with no or less than 6 psig(?) oil pressure it closes and turns on the idiot light. With oil pressure it opens and the circuit is incomplete. Won't work with a guage.