E30 Zone

I've just reset the 'Inspection Light' on my '85 E30 but now the 'Oil Service' light is on permanently.

Before the 'Inspection Light' was on permanently but the 'Oil Service' light only started coming on intermitently over the last couple of weeks.

Is it the SI batteries and if so what can I replace them with?

Oh, the oil level is fine BTW.

Sounds like the batteries, you need to replace them with lithium batteries available from Maplins
I think.

There are two different types of SI board fitted to E30s. One sort is fitted with 3 volt non rechargeable lithium batteries, which don't normally give problems.
The other sort of board has rechargeable 1.2 volt NiCd batteries, which have a life of less than ten years usually, and cause problems because 1) They go short circuit and affect the power to other instruments, and 2) They leak corrosive chemicals which corrode the SI board, rendering it scrap. As long as you replace the NiCd batteries before they develop a serious leak, then the board can be restored to life.

If mine is fitted with the non-rechargeable type won't they need replacing anyway because they are flat, the car being 22 years old now?

Chuffy wrote:If mine is fitted with the non-rechargeable type won't they need replacing anyway because they are flat, the car being 22 years old now?

If your car has lithium batteries, the SI board isn't 22 years old. The lithium board was introduced later in production, but a lot of early cars will have had them fitted as a replacement.
The lithium batteries are only used for memory back up, and don't actually do anything when the board is connected by the wiring loom to the car battery, so as long as the car hasn't been laid up for long periods, the batteries should be fine.
Did some rough calculations once, and the board should be able to run solely on the batteries for 5+ years.
Replacement boards come with a removable link to switch the board on or off.

you must reset the service lights twice, once to turn off the yellow/red lights (inspection lights) and turn them to green, then reset again to turn of the oil inspection light...... did you do that before you begin pulling your dash apart!!!

either use reset tool or open the engine code socket cover, short pins 11 and 7 with a (fused) link (thats my way yes i know there are other ways people) , turn ign on but dont start, wait 7-10 secs, red/yellow lights go green, turn of ign, turn back on wait 7-10 secs ..oil inspection light goes out..... if not then as above SI batteries
mrlee

Thanks chaps.
Yes, I used the 'short out the pins' method. First time I only did it the once and the inspection lights went off altogether (no greens left on). Drove it for a bit then stopped. When I started the engine again the 'oil service' light came on. I then tried the shorting it twice method but it made no difference.

But hey, get this!!
While writing this I thought I'd just go out and start it and see what happens.
Well.....now there is no 'oil service' light on BUT....the word 'Inspection' is lit up again, but none of the LEDs, just the word 'Inspection'??

Is this definitely looking like a battery job???

BTW Brian, the car is an '85 and was laid up for about 6 months before I aquired it. Are you saying there is a possibilty mine has no batteries at all?

Your SI board definitely will have batteries, but I can't tell from here whether they are lithium or NiCd, or what condition they are in.
I'm not entirely convinced that there's anything wrong at all. As well as the green LED countdown arrangement there's also a straightforward timer that lights the inspection light and a clock symbol light every 12 months.
Is the clock symbol lit?

Brian are you sure there is a simple timer?

Demlotcrew wrote:Brian are you sure there is a simple timer?

A simple twelve month timer. Works the clock symbol in the middle, and puts the inspection light on as well.
That's what it says in the handbook and in my experience as well.

I know what you mean by the clock symbol but I have never seen it on mine.

Chuffy wrote:I know what you mean by the clock symbol but I have never seen it on mine.

It's lit by a filament bulb, and might have burnt out.

The clock symbal indicates that the brake fluid is due to be changed

lessmith wrote:The clock symbal indicates that the brake fluid is due to be changed

Every other time it comes on, possibly. Along with the coolant.