How to reset oil change lights?

[altecw]

Hey, I'm sorry to ask this, but I wanted to make sure.

I have yet to actually change my B'mer's oil myself. Obviously, I haven't had the car too long (about 10 months... w/ the car active for maybe 3/4) the last time it needed doing, I was busy as hell, and it needed some wiring done so I just took it to the shop and had them do it.

But, for obvious reasons... that sucks. I've done plenty of oil changes on lesser vehicles, but never on my 3'er. My primary concern is the maintenance computer- I'd like to keep it happy, but I don't have any sort of BMW OBD tools. I read somewhere that you can reset it by connecting 2 of the terminals... but idk, sticking a paperclip in your BMW's computer seems kinda iffy. What do I need to make the little lights in the dashboard happy in 1000 miles.

Also- is 7k a good service interval for a '94 318? -That's what my mechanic put on the window sticker, and obviously what the car seems to want, but, idk- it seems rather long

[Thehemiman12345]

If you're worried about putting a paper clip in do this. Take two pieces of wire and put a fuse in between them. That way if you don't have to worry if you don't jump the right pins...

Changing the oil every 7k miles? If your running synthetic oil that sounds fine to me but on conventional oil not so much. With conventional the typical is 3000 miles but then again everyone has their own opinion...

[///M3Vader4dr]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...il+reset+light

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/sil.html

[EThirtySicks]

Here's a link that has a picture diagram as to which pins it is.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/ele...ce_lights.html


Hope this helps!

[bbancsov]

You don't have to be worried about doing the paper clip trick, i put it in the wrong hole many times and it didnt do any damage, when i put it in the right one, green ligths all the way woot!

[mkobernus]

I did the clip trick too. But my lights went to ALL the green lit, but not the yellow or red...

So better than before, since it was fully lit all the way. But not to the root, as it were...Partial reset?

[flyfishvt]

Using the paper clip for 3 or 4 seconds resets the oil change light. Doing it for 10 seconds or more resets both the oil change and the Service II lights.

[funkymarcus]

I did the clip trick too. But my lights went to ALL the green lit, but not the yellow or red...

So better than before, since it was fully lit all the way. But not to the root, as it were...Partial reset?

That's how it's supposed to work. Immediately after a reset, all of the green lights will be on, but no lights of any other color.

[altecw]

alright... well, there's an electronics supply store right nest to my local Advance... and tomorrows a saturday, so I s'pose I'll have to have a go.

Though I've been wondering, the owners manual doesn't really cover changes in service routines in a temperate climate such as mine (Northern Illinois... i.e. cold as fuck for 3 months) -I know my dad's merc. needed twice the normal oil changes in winter- any thoughts?

[mkobernus]

Just use the paper clip. Seriously. It is super easy.....

[CirrusSR22]

I used to reset the lights with a paper clip, but stopped after a while. I don't follow the lights for my maintenance anyway, so it became pointless. There's really nothing about it to "keep happy" since it's just a glorified timer and has no affect on the car itself.

I just pick my chosen maintenance intervals based on mileage and keep track of when they need to be done in a document file. I check it every once-and-a-while to see what's coming up next.

[altecw]

YES! It Worked! I changed the oil with Mobil 1, and reset the service lights with a piece of picture wire. I know the light is pointless, but it's a good reminder to check my maintenance schedule.

Thanks for the help everyone

[pinkin]

why cant i do this? lol my 97 328i had the paper clip in #7 and the #19 ground and nothing. man i suck. tried several times and no go...

[altecw]

why cant i do this? lol my 97 328i had the paper clip in #7 and the #19 ground and nothing. man i suck. tried several times and no go...

You have to have the key in Position 2- connect 19 to 7 for 5 seconds, disconnect, turn the key to 1, close the cap on the diagnostic interface whatchamajig then turn the key to 3, and your light'll be on

[bgyore]

Turning the key to 3 be starting the car? Correct?

[altecw]

Turning the key to 3 be starting the car? Correct?

No, position 4 is ignition, position 3 is "on". Unless I'm getting the positions confused and the "off" position isn't counted as pos. 1...

Er- in any event, the position I referred to as "3" is the one in which you'll be able to see the SI lights, but not actually engage the starter motor.

1 - off
2 - acc
3 - on
4 - ignition

Right?

[FauxFox]

No, position 4 is ignition, position 3 is "on". Unless I'm getting the positions confused and the "off" position isn't counted as pos. 1...

Er- in any event, the position I referred to as "3" is the one in which you'll be able to see the SI lights, but not actually engage the starter motor.

1 - off
2 - acc
3 - on
4 - ignition

Right?

I thought it was

0- Off
1- ACC
2- ON
3- Ignition

position 0 is just when you put the key in and don't turn it (hence 0)

Also, the paper clip thing doesn't damage anything

Unless you want to spend big bucks on a tool that does the same exact thing :|

be my guest.

[altecw]

I thought it was

0- Off
1- ACC
2- ON
3- Ignition

position 0 is just when you put the key in and don't turn it (hence 0)

Also, the paper clip thing doesn't damage anything

Unless you want to spend big bucks on a tool that does the same exact thing :|

be my guest.

Eh, I dunno- you're probably right, but I don't care enough to check my OM.

+1 for the paperclip, I looked into it, and the $30 tools just have sets of clips that connect the different sensor terminals to port 19 (ground). I used a piece of picture wire (screwed up 3 times before getting it right) and it didn't harm a thing.

[bgyore]

[QUOTE=EThirtySicks;16976067]Here's a link that has a picture diagram as to which pins it is.


This is really helpful thank you!