Can anyone help with grafting this e38 oil level plug on to my e36 to e30 converted loom ?
i was hoping the colours would be the same but that would be to easy . I know the brown is the earth but it is the other two i am unsure of and struggling to find wiring diagrams .
e38 oil level sensor plug
e36 oil level sensor plug
e38 to e36 oil level plug
Moderator: martauto
- fixedwheelnut
- E30 Zone Regular

- Posts: 909
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: South East London
What engine is the E38 sensor from and what engine is the E36 loom? The fact the earth wire in the E36 plug is in pin 1 makes me wonder if it is actually the oil level sensor plug? as they are usually pin 2
Here is an M50 sensor diagram next to an E30 M20 diagram The pin numbers on the plug have the same function.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3YG75ut4eTcDxy8W9
Here is a pin out for M60 to E30 if it helps
https://www.rtsauto.com/wiring-harness- ... onnectors/
Here is an M50 sensor diagram next to an E30 M20 diagram The pin numbers on the plug have the same function.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3YG75ut4eTcDxy8W9
Here is a pin out for M60 to E30 if it helps
https://www.rtsauto.com/wiring-harness- ... onnectors/
-
shedrool83
- Old Skooler

- Posts: 4395
- Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Dundee Scotland
fixedwheelnut wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:49 pmWhat engine is the E38 sensor from and what engine is the E36 loom? The fact the earth wire in the E36 plug is in pin 1 makes me wonder if it is actually the oil level sensor plug? as they are usually pin 2
Here is an M50 sensor diagram next to an E30 M20 diagram The pin numbers on the plug have the same function.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3YG75ut4eTcDxy8W9
Here is a pin out for M60 to E30 if it helps
https://www.rtsauto.com/wiring-harness- ... onnectors/
Your are correct after speaking to Dan it wasn't a plug for the oil sensor my e36 loom doesn't have a oil level sensor .
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
There shouldn't be much of a problem adding the oil sensor wires to an E36 loom, especially if you already have a plug that fits the sensor, but is the E38 oil sensor compatible. At some point BMW moved away from a simple float switch arrangement, and moved to a weird system based on (IIRC) thermal conductivity.
Can't make oot the exact colour of the wires on your E38 plug, but one looks like it might be green/white, which indicates a 12 volt + supply, and, in turn, suggests the later type of sensor.
Can't make oot the exact colour of the wires on your E38 plug, but one looks like it might be green/white, which indicates a 12 volt + supply, and, in turn, suggests the later type of sensor.
-
shedrool83
- Old Skooler

- Posts: 4395
- Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Dundee Scotland
After speaking to Dan about this an few weeks back it would seem the sensor is the later type Brian , so i gave up on the idea .Brianmoooore wrote: ↑Sat Jan 23, 2021 10:40 amThere shouldn't be much of a problem adding the oil sensor wires to an E36 loom, especially if you already have a plug that fits the sensor, but is the E38 oil sensor compatible. At some point BMW moved away from a simple float switch arrangement, and moved to a weird system based on (IIRC) thermal conductivity.
Can't make oot the exact colour of the wires on your E38 plug, but one looks like it might be green/white, which indicates a 12 volt + supply, and, in turn, suggests the later type of sensor.


