Low oil light, but not low on oil??

[XCSEDAN]

ok, so last night, i pulled into my mates driveway which is EXTREMELY steep with the nose pointed up.
the "engine oil low" warning came up on the dash, so i rolled down the driveway and onto the flat, and the warning went out.
now every time i start the car, or turn it off, the low engine oil warning comes up, but not while i'm driving.
how do i reset this, i have checked the oil and its 5mm down from full.
no oil pressure warning, so thats good.

i know i can disconnect the battery, but i am not doing that every time i pull into his new driveway.
is there any other way around it?

[shogun]

Fill the oil up a bit more, at least to the upper third of the points between low and high. And clean the level sensor and the plug contacts close to the oil pan.
There are TWO level contacts.

static contact
dynamic contact

In case the oil level is sufficient, the static contact is closed.
Via the ground signal the check control gets to know that the level is o.k.
The dynamic contact is open, the control voltage flows against ground.
In case the oil level goes under the dynamic switch point, a message comes.
That the oil flowing into the oil pan when engine is switched off does not delete the alarm, the fault is stored with terminal 30.
It will only be deleted, when the static contact reports a message/signal, that the engine oil is filled up to static level.

The wires to the static contact are also checked for wire problems.
After ignition is switched on, a oil level warning will come. After starting to drive, but latest after 20 seconds this warning will disappear.

The wires go thru the pipe in engine room together with the thick wire from alternator to B+ pole. Right next to the B+ pole is the connector for these wires, check there, maybe the connector is brittle/broken.

[XCSEDAN]

mate you are a legend, where is the level indicator?
ill pour 1l in tomorrow.

im using Motul 15w-50, what do you think of that as an oil grade?

[shogun]

of course in the oil pan at the lowest possible level
http://bmwfans.info/parts/catalog/E3...l_indicator-2/

15W50 should be no problem.

copied from 2009:
Update: 'Oil Level Sensor' message
Shogun was right - it was the connector - thanks Shogun!

Looked at the connector that connects to the oil level sensor. Peeled back the rubber protector and found that two of the wires were not attached to the connector. Soldered them to their respective connection points in the connector. Checked for continuity on the other end. One was not showing connectivity. Likely a broken wire.

Routed new wire thru the metal tube that the original set of wires live. Clipped the offending original wire from both end, soldered the new wire. Tested for connectivity on all three pins - have connectivity! Reconnected connector on both ends and turned key - voila! No more "Oil Level Sensor" warning!

Just thought I'd write this up in case a new connector cannot be located.

----------------------------
Subject: Great, the connectors you can get from Bosch
Author: shogun Posted on: 2009-04-20


this plug is used in many places on your car, BMW does not have it, they just sell the oil level sensors complete for >$120. I bought from Bosch Germany the plug for 2 pins, and for 3 pins, the rubber around it, and the pins.
I bought about 10 pieces each and a big box of pins (smallest size was 50 or 100 pieces).

oil dipstick
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q...20dipstick.jpg

indicator and warning lights
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q...%20Instrument%

check control priorities
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q...iority%202.jpg

[XCSEDAN]

awesome dude, but i fixxed it, i parked it on a downhill slope this afternoon for a new hours, and now its all fixxed.
the oil level is exactly the same, and i did put a litre of oil in this morning before leaving and it made no difference. id say the sensor is dirty, when i reseal the sump ill go over the level sensor, and i'll double check all the connections tomorrow
if it weren't for you mate id constantly be scratching my head!

any idea what bearings the alternator takes?

[shogun]

M60 engine Bosch alternator bearing I do not know. But you can find it here
http://www.woodauto.com/default.aspx
Why do you want to change them? I never had probs with alternator bearings. Just replace the voltage regulator and you will be fine.
In case you need a voltage regulator for the M60 alternator, I have still some Hella brand on stock

Some info on alternator changing

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...M60-alternator
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...r-Removal-Help

[XCSEDAN]

i'll send you a PM mate