wilko Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 Quick question for 330 owners - does your oil light show yellow briefly when you first start the car? Mine does, so I topped up the oil (with Castrol Edge 0w40) last night, but it came on yellow for about 10 seconds this morning when I started it from cold - is this normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 As far as i know this is normal, its only a problem if it stays on.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 It should go off when you start the car. If it stays on for a bit, your oil level sensor is faulty. About £90 plus an oil change to replace. RickyZ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autosri Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 Mine doesn't come on at all mate doesn't sound right really could the sensor be cleaned or anything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Syxx Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 its not a case of removing it and cleaning it, from what I heard oil needs to be drained to get access to it. Might as well just get a brand new sensor and be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 Mine doesn't come on at all mate doesn't sound right really could the sensor be cleaned or anything I can't remember specifically if the light always comes on when you turn on the electrics or if it's just when the oil is low (or sensor faulty) so might just be that your car doesn't lose any oil so the light never comes on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 Mine had an inspection 1 less than 2 months ago and im certain it comes on when i start the car, as do all the other lights but for a period no longer than a few seconds then they all go off (except for the damn washer fluid which is on 24/7 due to a leaking HL Washer). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autosri Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 Mine does use oil but I never let it get that low really I have never seen the light come on before I know what you mean about the washer botle and mine doesn't even leak lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsk289 Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 When you turn the key, the oil light should light up with the others, but red. This is an oil pressure warning light. When you start the car, the oil pressure builds and the light goes out. The same light comes on when the oil level is low, but glows orange, not red. If it is coming on at all, the sensor is duff. The sensor is on the base of the sump, held on by 3 nuts with a built-in 'O' ring to stop leaks. They are notorious for failing - I've changed 3 now, and the one I fitted two weeks ago (2 weeks ago!), supposedly an original part, has just failed. It seems they fail two ways - coming on at start up, and staying on for 15-20 seconds, or coming on when the engine's warm and staying on until the ignition is switched off again. They're a b***dy pain, and another very good reason for not buying an E90 - where I believe there is no dipstick, you have to rely on the warning light. Brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knucxx Posted April 10, 2010 Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 if it flickers red at any stage its oil pressure, yellow flicker is oil level, if its the pressure sender then it will need replacing i wouldnt drive it just incase the sender is working and you have no pressure then its bye bye engine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrimja Posted April 10, 2010 Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 When I turn they key mine comes on and stays on for about a second once I turn it over. Nothing to worry about as far as I'm concerned. If it stayed on for any longer than that I'd worry. Plus I know that my oil level is exactly where it should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pj1985 Posted April 10, 2010 Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 When you turn the key, the oil light should light up with the others, but red. This is an oil pressure warning light. When you start the car, the oil pressure builds and the light goes out. The same light comes on when the oil level is low, but glows orange, not red. If it is coming on at all, the sensor is duff. The sensor is on the base of the sump, held on by 3 nuts with a built-in 'O' ring to stop leaks. They are notorious for failing - I've changed 3 now, and the one I fitted two weeks ago (2 weeks ago!), supposedly an original part, has just failed. It seems they fail two ways - coming on at start up, and staying on for 15-20 seconds, or coming on when the engine's warm and staying on until the ignition is switched off again. They're a b***dy pain, and another very good reason for not buying an E90 - where I believe there is no dipstick, you have to rely on the warning light. Brilliant. If its a genuine BMW part purchased from a dealer an its failed after 2 weeks they will replace it free of charge I believe. Cant remember if its a year or 2 year warranty they have but its deffo longer than 2 weeks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsk289 Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 If its a genuine BMW part purchased from a dealer an its failed after 2 weeks they will replace it free of charge I believe. Cant remember if its a year or 2 year warranty they have but its deffo longer than 2 weeks! I've already been back, and they've 'reset' it - OK at the moment, but if it comes on again they will replace it. Interesting, though - the old switch had the 'BMW' logo cast into the base. The replacement hasn't - but it still cost around £90 and was supplied as a genuine part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrimja Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 When I turn they key mine comes on and stays on for about a second once I turn it over. Nothing to worry about as far as I'm concerned. If it stayed on for any longer than that I'd worry. Plus I know that my oil level is exactly where it should be. Whoops, I actually paid attention to it today, turns out it's the EML and engine block (emissions?) lights that come on then go out. Please don't tell me thats even worse? lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 When i replaced mine i remember reading on an ebay site, that the light come on briefly when you start the car, then goes off. But my genuine one definitely does not come on when i start the car, just when the oil is low. Dont get anything other than genuine when it come to sensors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan 24v Posted April 11, 2010 Report Share Posted April 11, 2010 Maybe have a look at your manual http://www.linquist.net/motorsports/bmw/3manuals Engine oil pressure Stop the vehicle immediately and switch off the engine. Check the engine oil and top off as required. If the oil level is correct, please contact the nearest BMW center. Engine oil level Lights up while driving: The oil level is at the absolute minimum; therefore, add engine oil as soon as possible. Do not drive more than 30 miles (50 km) until you do. For additional information, refer to page 135. Engine oil level Comes on after the engine has been shut off: add more engine oil the next time you stop for gas. For additional information, refer to page 135. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3670ander Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Mine does exactly the same it comes on for around 10-20 secs then turns off every time I start the car did you find out what it was and how to fix it if so please message me on how to sort it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 Mine does exactly the same it comes on for around 10-20 secs then turns off every time I start the car did you find out what it was and how to fix it if so please message me on how to sort it Did you read the thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) Mine comes on after the car is turned off but the oil level is fine, does this mean its broken ? 1 month old brand new BMW OEM sensor Edited October 19, 2012 by Trickster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edber Posted October 19, 2012 Report Share Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) The oil level sensor is faulty when you start the car and the yellow oil can stays lit for approx 10 seconds.If you have this symptom then get the sensor replaced. The best time to replace it is when your car is due a oil change as you have to drain the oil to replace this part,its located at the bottom of the sump.I bought my sensor off ebay but i bought the rubber gasket from main dealer as i didnt like the look of the supplied gasket(it was green as opposed to the main dealer red gasket)Some people say the ebay ones leak through the plug connection but i have mine installed a long time and im happy with it. Edited October 19, 2012 by edber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cf_corp Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 i just replaced my sensor about 2 hrs ago with a brand new one, got it on ebay, its a erste wahle and has a 1yr warranty, I know the sensors are notorious for failing but come on, i took the car for a drive not even 10 mins and the yellow oil light came on and stays on, when i got the car the oil light would come on for 10-15 seconds on startup and go away, that was an OEM original part, then about a year ago i replaced the sensor with an aftermarket one and it put the yellow oil light on, and it was only installed in the car for a week tops, it would put the oil light on continuosly until the engine was stopped and it would stay on for a few seconds after the ignition was off or if i put the key to ignition position again, this new sensor i fitted today is doing the same thing, anything else it could be, i mean a brand new sensor already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 Sounds like broken sensor again to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cf_corp Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 i wonder what fooked it up. its only in the with new oil too :-( fook sake, ill have to get onto the seller too, its weird that it exhibits the same pattern as the one i removed, engine warms up, 15 mins of driving light comes on and stays on, will inpa show anything up? could there be a blockage etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyZ Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 Sounds very similar to mine and mine is an OEM BMW one, still undecided if it is my sensor but am 85% sure it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cf_corp Posted October 20, 2012 Report Share Posted October 20, 2012 (edited) I put 5l in my car, i know it takes 5.5l but its not the min tho, still ill top it up, but more than likely ill be draining it out again, sad lol Edited October 20, 2012 by cf_corp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
