Check Engine Oil Lev warning problem

[SLOWBRA]

I've got a 2003 X5 4.4 with 66K miles that is throwing this warning on the dash. It dings and turns on after the car is turned off.

Here is what I have done thus far without success:
Checked the oil level and this is good (oil was recently changed after the replacement of the valve cover gaskets)
Replaced the oil level/condition sensor in the bottom of the oil pan ($175)

Do I need to reset the computer somehow or start looking at other possibilites for the light?

[rayxi]

Check the connector to the oil level sensor. See if any oil or dirt got into it and the contact is bad. Also inspect the wire for damage while you are at it.

[primetime]

How long has the light been on since your oil change? if its only been a few days the dash warning light should dissappear on its own after a few days of driving...

[JCL]

I am not clear why the oil level light would come on after you turn the engine off, but I do know that there is an anti-drainback valve in the oil filter housing, so that the oil does not all run down into the pan when the engine stops. I wonder whether that drain-back valve is functioning correctly?

It is also conceivable that you got a bad oil level sensor when the new one was installed.

[SLOWBRA]

Oil change was done ~4 weeks ago. The light has been on every since that day.

I replaced the sensor last night. After replacing it, I started the car in the garage and let it run for 2-3 minutes before turning it off. It did not throw a light that time. However, it has every since I started driving it today and turning it off.

Are you saying the warning light will clear itself? I'm only puzzled because it did NOT come on last night in the garage after immediately changing the sensor. It came on after driving it today and turning it off,which makes me think the sensor was not the problem.

[recklessspyder]

Maybe drain/rechange the oil to verify the correct amount was added. Don't know if you/BMW/indy did it. I guess if you did it, you would know.

[JCL]

Let's narrow it down. If I understand the problem correctly,.....

It isn't the change oil light we are talking about, it is the level light.
You can check the oil level with the dipstick, and know that the level is correct.
You appear to have had the check level light on continuously since the oil change and valve cover gaskets were done. Perhaps something happened during that service.
You have now replaced the sensor yourself, the oil level light went off right away after that procedure, but it is now coming back on, only after you shut the engine off (not when the engine is running).

Is that correct so far?

If you can connect this back to the oil change and valve cover repair, could you revisit that shop and ask them why the light is on after they worked on it?

[SLOWBRA]

Originally Posted by recklessspyder

Maybe drain/rechange the oil to verify the correct amount was added. Don't know if you/BMW/indy did it. I guess if you did it, you would know.

My friend, who was a BMW tech, did the oil change. Would this light come on if the oil was over filled?

[SLOWBRA]

Originally Posted by JCL

Let's narrow it down. If I understand the problem correctly,.....

It isn't the change oil light we are talking about, it is the level light.

It's the Check Engine Oil Level light

You can check the oil level with the dipstick, and know that the level is correct.

Yes, if anything it could be a tad high. The oil dipstick was replaced during the last service (the tab you pull the dipstick with broke recently). What I am not sure is if the new dipstick is exactly the same as the original or not (not even sure if that would matter, but worth mentioning). I will check with my friend (a former BMW tech) who did the service to confirm.

You appear to have had the check level light on continuously since the oil change and valve cover gaskets were done. Perhaps something happened during that service.
You have now replaced the sensor yourself, the oil level light went off right away after that procedure, but it is now coming back on, only after you shut the engine off (not when the engine is running).

Yes, it's been on since that time.

We changed the sensor, filled the oil, started the car in the garage for 2-3 minutes, and the shut it off. The light did NOT come on when shutting off the X5 the first time. Now, after driving it today a few times, the light comes on each time I turn off the car.

If you can connect this back to the oil change and valve cover repair, could you revisit that shop and ask them why the light is on after they worked on it?

My friend did the service and is assisting me in this process. I've not had a chance to speak with him today (he works odd hours with his new job and lives a good hour from me). He felt the sensor would resolve the light as they are known to cause problems with age.

I want to get more input from the group here to see what could be the culprit. I know I am baffled.

Thanks for the input thus far.

[JCL]

I have seen incorrect dipsticks used before. It would be worth validating how much oil is in the engine.