My oil level warning light on the dash no longer works at all.
The problem started when I came back from a 2 week holiday in October, during which time the car was not driven.
When I got back, I started the car in the morning and the Oil light came on. I turned it off and topped up with some oil, and made sure the level was perfect. The light then went out and I started driving as you normally do when all's well.
Ever since then, I've noticed that the light doesn't come on at all.
It should illuminate when the key is in the first position in the ignition, but it doesn't light at all.
In the past 2 months, it's only come on once when having the key in the first position.
I check the oil regularly, and the level is fine.
What can this be?
Thanks
Oil Light Not Working
Moderator: martauto
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

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- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Blown bulb, broken wire, broken switch.
Pull the connector off of the oil pressure switch and use a piece of wire to earth the pin in the plug. Light should be on with ignition on.
Pull the connector off of the oil pressure switch and use a piece of wire to earth the pin in the plug. Light should be on with ignition on.
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BenHar
- E30 Zone Addict

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- Location: Reigate, Surrey
The oil LEVEL light is in the overhead check panel (if fitted) and does not come on with the ignition.
The oil PRESSURE light is in the instrument cluster and should come on with the ignition.
You should never let the oil level get so low that the oil pressure light comes on when running.
However oil pressure switches are known to fail, so check this, as Brian says.
Ben
The oil PRESSURE light is in the instrument cluster and should come on with the ignition.
You should never let the oil level get so low that the oil pressure light comes on when running.
However oil pressure switches are known to fail, so check this, as Brian says.
Ben
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German-Whips
- E30 Zone Camper

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- Location: Berkshire
Ok, It's the oil PRESSURE light, the one on the instrument cluster.
"Pull the connector off of the oil pressure switch and use a piece of wire to earth the pin in the plug. Light should be on with ignition on."
So doing this test will mean that the oil pressure switch is faulty, providing the light does come on with ignition on?
"Pull the connector off of the oil pressure switch and use a piece of wire to earth the pin in the plug. Light should be on with ignition on."
So doing this test will mean that the oil pressure switch is faulty, providing the light does come on with ignition on?
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jimbom30cab
- Tech 1 freak
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- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: in the garage
When the oil pressure builds up it closes the switch and the current then flows from the battery through the switch to earth, making the circuit
If the connector terminal is earthed with some wire it also makes the circuit, bulb comes on.
If this happens it proves the switch is knackered.
If the bulb still doesn't work then there is another break in the circuit such as a blown bulb or damaged wire.
If the connector terminal is earthed with some wire it also makes the circuit, bulb comes on.
If this happens it proves the switch is knackered.
If the bulb still doesn't work then there is another break in the circuit such as a blown bulb or damaged wire.
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German-Whips
- E30 Zone Camper

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Now the final question, where is this switch located?
Doesn't mention it's location on the Wiki
Doesn't mention it's location on the Wiki
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Cloggy Saint
- Old Skooler

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German-Whips
- E30 Zone Camper

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Thank you!Cloggy Saint wrote:If it's an M20 then it's just below and to the right of the oil filter.

