Oil light randomness?

AlpWhitE46 · 02-03-2011, 03:24 PM

I got my oil done maybe 3-4 weeks ago...

Note though, about 6-8 months ago i got my vanos fully done from dr vanos, but to this day i still dont know the guy doing it put everything correctly, as from time to time the car will start a bit odd..

anyways since that oil change... every now and then when i start the car, the oil lamp will turn on (yellow) and stay on for 15 seconds and off it will go...

wtf?

Ceeker · 02-03-2011, 03:35 PM

Don't worry bout it; do you have sufficient oil pressure? car performs normally? then I wouldn't give it much concern until your vanos craps out and then take it back to the doc.
maybe it's just the oil pressure switch. could be when he redid the vanos may have touched something by mistake..Keep in mind it is pretty cold out so the pressure takes a bit of time to build up.

dbworld4k · 02-03-2011, 03:48 PM

Faulty oil level sensor. Very common E46 problem. Mine has been doing this since I've owned it but I'm too lazy to change out the sensor. That, and it's ~$200 for that stupid part.

Michel · 02-03-2011, 03:51 PM

if it were oil pressure, the light would be red, not yellow. Its your oil level sensor as Anuk said... make sure your oil actually isn't low though.

Seyar · 02-03-2011, 03:59 PM

I had the same problem and as they said its your oil level sensor, nothing to worry about.

AlpWhitE46 · 02-03-2011, 04:06 PM

ok cool thanks, oil can't be low i just got it changed

thanks guys

doogee · 02-03-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpWhitE46

ok cool thanks, oil can't be low i just got it changed

thanks guys

E36's don't even have oil level sensors

Unless you're talking about your e46?

AlpWhitE46 · 02-03-2011, 06:01 PM

E46, the E36 has been stored away

Axxe · 02-03-2011, 06:29 PM

Check the oil level first. Could actually be low. Don't assume that because you just had an oil change that it's topped up.

bmdbley'sBro · 02-04-2011, 06:15 PM

Rear main seal ?

hope not

new member · 02-05-2011, 11:01 PM

I love when non E46 owners try to guess the problem, lol.

Yellow oil light stays on for 10-15 sec after start up = faulty oil sensor. New one costs around $150

Yellow light at shut off = you actually are low on oil, not significant, but low. It could also be a possibility that you havent warmed up your oil before shut off and it hasnt come back down fast enough.

Yellow light while driving = you're low on oil. If it comes up when driving, means you're burning/loosing oil.

Red oil light when engine is on = low or no oil pressure. Oil pressure sensor is SEPARATE from oil level sensor just so you know.

Pierce330 · 02-06-2011, 01:43 AM

Mine just started doing it as well...right after my last oil change...not an issue...

Ceeker · 02-06-2011, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by new member

I love when non E46 owners try to guess the problem, lol.

Yellow oil light stays on for 10-15 sec after start up = faulty oil sensor. New one costs around $150

Yellow light at shut off = you actually are low on oil, not significant, but low. It could also be a possibility that you havent warmed up your oil before shut off and it hasnt come back down fast enough.

Yellow light while driving = you're low on oil. If it comes up when driving, means you're burning/loosing oil.

Red oil light when engine is on = low or no oil pressure. Oil pressure sensor is SEPARATE from oil level sensor just so you know.

Hey, I'm just learning like everyone else.. thanks. :-)

3SERB · 02-06-2011, 01:16 PM

Rocco replaced my oil sensor at the last oil change. Its a two minute job and I think it was around 100 or maybe even less. Pretty useful thing to have working properly in my opinion.

BmW1819 · 02-06-2011, 01:18 PM

dbworld4k is 100%
ever e46 will need to change this sensor sometime in it's life lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

Faulty oil level sensor. Very common E46 problem. Mine has been doing this since I've owned it but I'm too lazy to change out the sensor. That, and it's ~$200 for that stupid part.