Oil level sensor
New Members
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: right hand drive
My Ride: 2007, pre LCI E60 530d
I am currently having similar issues with my car. Oil level at minimum warning, check the dipstick, oil is perfectly filled, full.
I changed out the sensor and still occasionally get the warning. Last one was 2000km on new oil.
I am thinking I might pull the harness for the connector to the oil sensor apart and clean the contacts.
At a loss otherwise as to the problem, the sensor didn't fix it.
I changed out the sensor and still occasionally get the warning. Last one was 2000km on new oil.
I am thinking I might pull the harness for the connector to the oil sensor apart and clean the contacts.
At a loss otherwise as to the problem, the sensor didn't fix it.
New Members
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: boyzee
My Ride: 2004 545 6 M/T
Model Year: 2004
It appears that there are others that are having the same issue with the message popping up even after changing the sensor. Can anyone shed some light on this issue?
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 361
From: Augusta, GA
My Ride: 22 BMW 540i xDrive; 05 BMW 530i
Engine: 3.0 B58; 3.0 M54
Have you checked the codes on the module (INPA)? Is your battery charged over 75%? Did you try to disconnect the battery for a while? Have you done a test on the alternator? Did you clean the connections? Checked for broken/cracking wiring? These are the things I would check if I put a new sensor in and it started after an alternator change.
New Members
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: right hand drive
My Ride: 2007, pre LCI E60 530d
When I get a chance, I will run the car and disconnect the sensor to see if that causes the same low oil warning or if it warns of a sensor failure. I haven't had a chance to trace the wiring on it yet.
Cleaning and greasing the connection, while seeing what fault comes up, is the next step.
I know from years of e36 ownership that a lot of bmw issues stem from grubby connections.
If that isn't the problem, then I'll have to trace the wire run to the sensor, looking for a short.
Cleaning and greasing the connection, while seeing what fault comes up, is the next step.
I know from years of e36 ownership that a lot of bmw issues stem from grubby connections.
If that isn't the problem, then I'll have to trace the wire run to the sensor, looking for a short.
New Members
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
My Ride: 550i M Sport
Model Year: 2009
There is a well-documented issue with the oil level monitor giving false readings during cold weather driving, primarily where short trips are involved. Condensation builds up in or around the sensor and prevents it from reading accurately. The best remedy is to give the car a good hard run on the highway for a half hour or more (running at 4-5000 rpm).... then remove the oil filler cap and allow the vapor to escape (with engine idling).
New Members
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: right hand drive
My Ride: 2007, pre LCI E60 530d
I have had a chance to drive the car a fair bit recently. The weather has been warm (25-28c) so I don't think condensation is an issue. Also I've done some longer highway runs so there wouldn't be any moisture in the oil. The oil breather/ separator is new and works properly.
I managed to get the false "oil qty at min" warning to trigger again when driving the car fairly hard, on a twisty road.
At the moment the only guesses I have are either the oil is taking too long to get back to the sump under high revs or perhaps it is foaming so the sensor pings it as low.
Or, maybe driving hard causes the oil to slosh too much and the sensor gives a low indication.....but if this was the case, I would expect it to be a more commonly known issue.
Still working on it!
S
I managed to get the false "oil qty at min" warning to trigger again when driving the car fairly hard, on a twisty road.
At the moment the only guesses I have are either the oil is taking too long to get back to the sump under high revs or perhaps it is foaming so the sensor pings it as low.
Or, maybe driving hard causes the oil to slosh too much and the sensor gives a low indication.....but if this was the case, I would expect it to be a more commonly known issue.
Still working on it!
S
New Members
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: boyzee
My Ride: 2004 545 6 M/T
Model Year: 2004
Shizam, I sincerely hope it is nothing worse. I have heard about oil pumps going bad on the cars although I'm not sure if there is any correlation between that and the oil level sensor error message. Any body else ever hear of such a correlation?
Contributors
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: Sin City
My Ride: Jet Black '05 545i, Sport/Premium Pkg, Steptronic, Adaptive Xenon, Nav, L7, Blue2th, PDC,
Maybe a bad oil pressure switch not working properly?
Fairly cheap part. I replaced mine because of a leak but not because of error message. good luck
Fairly cheap part. I replaced mine because of a leak but not because of error message. good luck
New Members
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 571
Likes: 10
From: Montreal Quebec Canada
My Ride: 2005 545i, premium package, 6sp manual, cold package, navigation package.
Model Year: 2005
Engine: N62
Are we talking oil PRESSURE sensor or oil LEVEL sensor? They are not the same and actually independant.
Salut, Bob p.
Salut, Bob p.


