oil check light - problem back!
Moderator: martauto
my oil check light came on earlier. it was after i had the passenger side jacked real high whilst i fought with my starter motor.
there is plenty of oil in there, i can see its being pumped to the head as its evident when i took the filler cap off and even after runing for a while, the dipstick was still registering half.
i presume the oil check light is a level sensor rather than pressure as it comes on with just ignition on.
where is the sensor for it? any well known problems with them? and any recomended fixes?
there is plenty of oil in there, i can see its being pumped to the head as its evident when i took the filler cap off and even after runing for a while, the dipstick was still registering half.
i presume the oil check light is a level sensor rather than pressure as it comes on with just ignition on.
where is the sensor for it? any well known problems with them? and any recomended fixes?
Last edited by no2lurch on Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:52 pm, edited 2 times in total.
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
The sensor is in the top of the sump, directly below the alternator.
The sensor is inside an alloy tube with only a very small hole top and bottom, so responses to oil level change are slow.
The inside of the cylinder tends to get clogged up with thick old oil as well.
If it doesn't sort itself out, take the sensor out (no gaskets needed, and oil won't come out, unless the sump is full to the top level on the dipstick), fill an old baked bean can with petrol, and drop the sensor into it (slowly). Half an hour later, lift the sensor out and let it drain, then put it back in again.
Repeat several times, renewing the petrol if it gets too dirty.
The sensor is inside an alloy tube with only a very small hole top and bottom, so responses to oil level change are slow.
The inside of the cylinder tends to get clogged up with thick old oil as well.
If it doesn't sort itself out, take the sensor out (no gaskets needed, and oil won't come out, unless the sump is full to the top level on the dipstick), fill an old baked bean can with petrol, and drop the sensor into it (slowly). Half an hour later, lift the sensor out and let it drain, then put it back in again.
Repeat several times, renewing the petrol if it gets too dirty.
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Oil pressure switch is on the RH side.
i took the sensor out and flushed it a few times but its still the same - oil warning light is still on with the check panel. do i have to wait a bit fot the sensor to fill back up with oil?
after flushing, i could hear something moving around inside when turned over...
after flushing, i could hear something moving around inside when turned over...
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poolnoodle
- E30 Zone Squatter

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- Location: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
I have the same problem when parking my car for more than half hour or so on a steep grade. It disappears after a while of being level again so have never worried too much
'83 Bronzit 323i (mmmm, chrome)
'74 Polaris 2002 (mmmm, retro)
'89 Delphin 535i (mmmm, waft waft)
'74 Polaris 2002 (mmmm, retro)
'89 Delphin 535i (mmmm, waft waft)
if im not mistaken, the oil pressure switch only has an effect for the dash/pod oil light, and not the oil light on the check module.... the oil light on the check module is due to a faulty oil level sensor which is the one on the passenger side ontop of the sump...
no2lurch
how long did you soak it for and what did you use mate? i left mine over night, and yep your right, you will hear the float moving when turned upside down !
have you tried to check your oil level when engine is cold? where does it show on the dipstick
no2lurch
how long did you soak it for and what did you use mate? i left mine over night, and yep your right, you will hear the float moving when turned upside down !
have you tried to check your oil level when engine is cold? where does it show on the dipstick
Yeah u could be right. When mine was acting up it was just the dash light that was coming on.if im not mistaken, the oil pressure switch only has an effect for the dash/pod oil light, and not the oil light on the check module.... the oil light on the check module is due to a faulty oil level sensor which is the one on the passenger side ontop of the sump...
Good to hear it's all sorted anyway.
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Brianmoooore wrote: Repeat several times, renewing the petrol if it gets too dirty.
How's the wiring connector? mine started playing up a few months ago just after a service and I found it had got water and corrosion in the connector... Dunno how the water got in there as it's tucked away behind the alternator, but cleaning it all out has fixed the problem.




