"Engine Oil" light on E30

[Ignasi Palou-Rivera]

Here's one for you E30 experts:

The "Engine Oil" light on the overhead check display (by the rearview
mirror) has come on in my 90 325is. I've checked the oil and the level
looks fine (between two marks, around the middle). I added a bit of
oil and that should re-set the light according to the manual, but the
light is still on. I've added a bit more and the light is still on. I
got a "CHECK" message again this morning when doing a medium speed 90
degree bend. Any clues? I'm somewhat secure as the oil level is fine
and the oil pressure light hasn't come on at any time. Any of you have
any experience with this?

Thanks,

[hdd]

The sensor has probably crapped out. Our maybe a loose/broken wire. The
gizmo is probably located on the side of your oil pan. That's were it is on
the e28 with the M20 engine.

Cheers,
Howard

Post by Ignasi Palou-Rivera
The "Engine Oil" light on the overhead check display (by the rearview
mirror) has come on in my 90 325is. I've checked the oil and the level
looks fine (between two marks, around the middle). I added a bit of
oil and that should re-set the light according to the manual, but the
light is still on. I've added a bit more and the light is still on. I
got a "CHECK" message again this morning when doing a medium speed 90
degree bend. Any clues? I'm somewhat secure as the oil level is fine
and the oil pressure light hasn't come on at any time. Any of you have
any experience with this?
Thanks,
--
Ignasi.
'90 325is

[C.R. Krieger]

Post by hdd
The sensor has probably crapped out. Our maybe a loose/broken wire. The
gizmo is probably located on the side of your oil pan. That's were it is on
the e28 with the M20 engine.

I'm with Howard, except I think he's talking about the wrong sensor.
The oil *pressure* sensor is also a P.O.S. and it's up on the top of
the head somewhere (mine are 3.5's, so I don't know exactly where on
your 2.5). It'll cost you upwards of 8 bucks, and all of 10 minutes
to change it. Ignore the laughter at the auto parts store and tell
them to *look the damn thing up*! They probably *do* have it.
--
C.R. Krieger
(Been there; done that)

[sgrenze]

I experienced the same problem on my 89 325i. Since I drive a lot of miles,
it seemed to happen near when I was due to change the oil. I started putting
2 and 2 together and mistakenly got 5. I was told by one shop that the
sensor could also react to a change in viscosity (breakdown) as well as low
oil. Tinkered with the problem for about a year. Later on, one of the
electrical connections near the top of the engine resulted in a malfunction
with the spark. Got that cleaned, some corrosion was the culprit, and the
oil sensor works the way it appears to have been intended to operate. In
short, check the connection and wiring to the sensor.

Post by C.R. Krieger

Post by hdd
The sensor has probably crapped out. Our maybe a loose/broken wire. The
gizmo is probably located on the side of your oil pan. That's were it is on
the e28 with the M20 engine.

I'm with Howard, except I think he's talking about the wrong sensor.
The oil *pressure* sensor is also a P.O.S. and it's up on the top of
the head somewhere (mine are 3.5's, so I don't know exactly where on
your 2.5). It'll cost you upwards of 8 bucks, and all of 10 minutes
to change it. Ignore the laughter at the auto parts store and tell
them to *look the damn thing up*! They probably *do* have it.
--
C.R. Krieger
(Been there; done that)

[Ignasi Palou-Rivera]

Post by hdd
The sensor has probably crapped out. Our maybe a loose/broken wire. The
gizmo is probably located on the side of your oil pan. That's were it is on
the e28 with the M20 engine.

That was my thought too, but the light suddenly went off and has
stayed that way. I plan on throughly testing the oil level sensor
following the procedure in my trusty Bentley. I have plenty of weird
little electrical behavior in the car, so I suspect some loose contact.

[Jeff Strickland]

You have either a poor electrical connection on the Oil Pressure Sending
Unit, or you have a failing Oil Pressure Sending Unit.

Post by Ignasi Palou-Rivera
The "Engine Oil" light on the overhead check display (by the rearview
mirror) has come on in my 90 325is. I've checked the oil and the level
looks fine (between two marks, around the middle). I added a bit of
oil and that should re-set the light according to the manual, but the
light is still on. I've added a bit more and the light is still on. I
got a "CHECK" message again this morning when doing a medium speed 90
degree bend. Any clues? I'm somewhat secure as the oil level is fine
and the oil pressure light hasn't come on at any time. Any of you have
any experience with this?
Thanks,
--
Ignasi.
'90 325is

[Ignasi Palou-Rivera]

Post by Jeff Strickland
You have either a poor electrical connection on the Oil Pressure Sending
Unit, or you have a failing Oil Pressure Sending Unit.

Read carefully, nothing to do with oil *pressure*. This was a question
of the engine oil *level* sensor and/or light. I would've been more
concerned and careful if it had been the oil *pressure* light!

Post by Jeff Strickland

Post by Ignasi Palou-Rivera
The "Engine Oil" light on the overhead check display (by the rearview
mirror) has come on in my 90 325is. I've checked the oil and the level
looks fine (between two marks, around the middle). I added a bit of
oil and that should re-set the light according to the manual, but the
light is still on. I've added a bit more and the light is still on. I
got a "CHECK" message again this morning when doing a medium speed 90
degree bend. Any clues? I'm somewhat secure as the oil level is fine
and the oil pressure light hasn't come on at any time. Any of you have
any experience with this?
Thanks,
--
Ignasi.
'90 325is

[Jeff Strickland]

Sorry, my car doesn't tell me that the level is low, it only tells me of
pressure problems. I assumed that your car was telling you that the pressure
was the problem. As you know, the level can be fine and the pressure can
still be wrong.

Post by Ignasi Palou-Rivera

Post by Jeff Strickland
You have either a poor electrical connection on the Oil Pressure Sending
Unit, or you have a failing Oil Pressure Sending Unit.

Read carefully, nothing to do with oil *pressure*. This was a question
of the engine oil *level* sensor and/or light. I would've been more
concerned and careful if it had been the oil *pressure* light!

Post by Jeff Strickland

Post by Ignasi Palou-Rivera
The "Engine Oil" light on the overhead check display (by the rearview
mirror) has come on in my 90 325is. I've checked the oil and the level
looks fine (between two marks, around the middle). I added a bit of
oil and that should re-set the light according to the manual, but the
light is still on. I've added a bit more and the light is still on. I
got a "CHECK" message again this morning when doing a medium speed 90
degree bend. Any clues? I'm somewhat secure as the oil level is fine
and the oil pressure light hasn't come on at any time. Any of you have
any experience with this?
Thanks,
--
Ignasi.
'90 325is

--
Ignasi.
'90 325is

[Mal Baron]

I've had this prob. several times. Low oil light on - check dipstick - oil
on bottom mark - refill to upper mark - oil level light still says low oil!
After a day or so, light goes out.
Have heard others complain of similar prob. so not sure why warning light
takes a period of time to extinguish, but as long as you check the dipstick
level, nothing to worry about.

Good luck.
MallyB
'88 325iA Touring.

[Jeff Strickland]

Does my car have this? I have never seen a Low Oil Level indicator, I am
aware low oil pressure indicators.

Post by Mal Baron
I've had this prob. several times. Low oil light on - check dipstick - oil
on bottom mark - refill to upper mark - oil level light still says low oil!
After a day or so, light goes out.
Have heard others complain of similar prob. so not sure why warning light
takes a period of time to extinguish, but as long as you check the dipstick
level, nothing to worry about.
Good luck.
MallyB
'88 325iA Touring.

[Marcus AAkesson]

On Mon, 15 Dec 2003 13:51:55 -0800, "Jeff Strickland"

Post by Jeff Strickland
Does my car have this? I have never seen a Low Oil Level indicator, I am
aware low oil pressure indicators.

Not all models have level sensors, but many do. The Check Control
indicates level (just like coolant level and washer fluid level),
while the lamp in the instrument panel indicates pressure.


/Marcus

[Somebody]

Post by Mal Baron
I've had this prob. several times. Low oil light on - check dipstick - oil
on bottom mark - refill to upper mark - oil level light still says low oil!
After a day or so, light goes out.
Have heard others complain of similar prob. so not sure why warning light
takes a period of time to extinguish, but as long as you check the dipstick
level, nothing to worry about.
Good luck.
MallyB
'88 325iA Touring.

Mine takes only a few minutes to register the correct amount after adding,
but, you have to shut the car off and restart to reset the light. IOW if
you are on a long drive it will stay lit until you shut the car off. But it
never picks it up right away after adding.

I also notice that it generally lights up when I go down a long steep hill,
and once it decides I'm low it stays that way until I add. It is in fact
correct when it does light up in this situation, in that I am in fact low on
oil, but it seems like the hill tends to tip it over the edge. So to speak.

Also note that the light won't go off if you don't replace your fill cap
correctly. You will also get a rough idle if you do this. Not that I would
ever do something so daft...

-Russ.