"Stop Engine Oilpress" Message at low RPM

[Bdc101]

Also note that I reinstalled the engine fan yesterday (the engine-driven fan) after leaving it off all winter like I always do. I also broke the radiator shroud and removed it yesterday, which is why I disconnected the aux fan connector. I wonder if I might have damaged the oil pressure sensor wire during that work? But even if I did, why would it only trip the low-oil-pressure alarm at idle speeds? Anything over even 1,000 rpm or so, the alarm light goes away.



I also should note that it gave me the "Check Engine Oil Level" message a couple of times as well.



Could either a faulty oil level sensor or oil pressure sensor be tripping BOTH the oil pressure and the oil level alarms?

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

Also note that I reinstalled the engine fan yesterday (the engine-driven fan) after leaving it off all winter like I always do. I also broke the radiator shroud and removed it yesterday, which is why I disconnected the aux fan connector. I wonder if I might have damaged the oil pressure sensor wire during that work? But even if I did, why would it only trip the low-oil-pressure alarm at idle speeds? Anything over even 1,000 rpm or so, the alarm light goes away.

Idle is when your pressure drops the lowest. The BMW sensors are set real low, so if they're working properly and they go off, you basically have no oil flow.

I also should note that it gave me the "Check Engine Oil Level" message a couple of times as well.

Could either a faulty oil level sensor or oil pressure sensor be tripping BOTH the oil pressure and the oil level alarms?

They're totally separate sensors, so I wouldn't expect them to interfere that way. They also work completely differently. The oil pressure sensor is just a switch.

The only way that I would feel at all good about driving through this is if I hooked up an oil pressure gauge and confirmed that pressure is actually good. But it's probably less work to just change the warning sensor and see if that solves the problem.

[Bdc101]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

Idle is when your pressure drops the lowest. The BMW sensors are set real low, so if they're working properly and they go off, you basically have no oil flow.

I agree, that is why it seems like it can't be a broken or unplugged sensor. Perhaps it could be something like the sensor is plugged up with gunk, but why would that happen all of a sudden?

They're totally separate sensors, so I wouldn't expect them to interfere that way. They also work completely differently. The oil pressure sensor is just a switch.

Also agreed, but then why did I not get a low oil level light until after the car had warmed up and was throwing low oil pressure codes? (Especially since the oil is all the way to the top of the normal range on the dipstick.) The two problems have to be related.



One thing I was wondering, I made sure the big rubber O-ring on the oil filter housing is installed, but could the little O-ring in the middle cause oil to pool in the housing or something?I also used this Mann filter part number which I believe I've used before. If they sent me the wrong oil filter could it cause this problem? P/N 11427512300



I am trying to think how something could cause both of these problems at once here. Low oil pressure isn't something that could cause a low oil level at the same time, unless the engine was out of oil, which it's not.

[nick325xit 5spd]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

I agree, that is why it seems like it can't be a broken or unplugged sensor. Perhaps it could be something like the sensor is plugged up with gunk, but why would that happen all of a sudden?

Plugged up or just slightly less sensitive.

Also agreed, but then why did I not get a low oil level light until after the car had warmed up and was throwing low oil pressure codes? (Especially since the oil is all the way to the top of the normal range on the dipstick.) The two problems have to be related.

Oil pressure is generally MUCH higher with cold engine (cold oil). It's not just a couple psi. If it throws the error cold, then your oil pump has lost prime and probably needs to be replaced.

One thing I was wondering, I made sure the big rubber O-ring on the oil filter housing is installed, but could the little O-ring in the middle cause oil to pool in the housing or something?I also used this Mann filter part number which I believe I've used before. If they sent me the wrong oil filter could it cause this problem? P/N 11427512300

I am trying to think how something could cause both of these problems at once here. Low oil pressure isn't something that could cause a low oil level at the same time, unless the engine was out of oil, which it's not.

I would replace the sensor and then report back. The range of possible causes for this issue are too wide to address without figuring out if the sensor is working.

[Clavurion]

Originally Posted by Bdc101

One thing I was wondering, I made sure the big rubber O-ring on the oil filter housing is installed, but could the little O-ring in the middle cause oil to pool in the housing or something?

Check those o-rings. If one of them has failed part of the oil pressure is lost directly back to sump.