Oil pressure sensors affected by climb/altitude?

[caseyjay]

Hello, I drove up to a ski station yesterday in France - first time in my E53 3.0d. Journey was about 20 mins covering 18km, rising about 1100m, culminating around 1800m (6000ft) above sea level, average 6% incline.

As I pulled over short of the top on the level, I got a "Stop engine! Oil Press" warning. After a few mins rest, on the final climb all ok but as levelled off same warning.

When I shut off, I then got the check oil level warning.

I left it for an hour then checked the oil level and all ok. Started up for the descent and did not see either warnings at all. No problem since.

Can the altitude affect sensor readings and this is a glitch or a sign of something more serious to attend to?

thx

[wpoll]

I've seen this warning once too, when at sea level. The oil level was fine and I've never seen the message again.

Others have had similar experiences. One owner found that replacing the aux. fan cleared his persistant oil level warning but I'm not sure there is a connection.

If the oil level is actually fine, and the warning doesn't come back, don't worry about it.

[caseyjay]

Originally Posted by wpoll

If the oil level is actually fine, and the warning doesn't come back, don't worry about it.

thanks, I also often get a brake/tail bulb warning when all lights are fine so guess some of the electrics/sensors can be sensitive...

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by caseyjay

thanks, I also often get a brake/tail bulb warning when all lights are fine so guess some of the electrics/sensors can be sensitive...

The intermittent brake/tail light warning is due to the brake/tail bulb contacts overheating due to poor connectivity. Check you bulb holders (remove them from the tail light fitting) and check for heat damage. Also check the actual tail light assembly too.

This is a well documented problem with the X5. Solder on the contacts is a cheap and common repair but it's not always effective.