Need Advice: Check Engine Oil Level
 

Has anyone had an issue with the "Check Engine Oil Level" coming on. I have put about 1500 miles on my 03 4.6is since purchasing. The SES came on a few days ago. Ran the diag and no codes came up so I had it cleared and it didn't come back on. A few days later the Check engine oil warning came on, so I had the oil changed as I didn't know when it was last changed before I purchased. However, the warning still comes on whenever I park/turn the car off. I manually checked the level however and it looks fine. Please advise if you have experienced such a problem before.

Thanks,
Moses

could be a bad sensor if the oil isn't low

I have had the same issue. I had it looked at and they replaced the oil sensor. A day later is started doing it again. I told BMW, but decided to wait until my regular maintenance appointment to get it fixed (again). I check the oil level with the dip stick periodically and the level is good. My appointment is on January 26th. I'll let you know if they fix the problem.

I own a 2003 3.0i with about 74,000 miles.

Thanks! I look forward hearing the prognosis.

I do think it is a problem with the sensors, but if anyone else has any further info it would be greatly appreciated.

Can someone also confirm what level their interior oil indicator is generally at. Is it normally at the halfway mark/210 (I think it is)

Yes, having faulty oil level sensor is a common problem in BMW's. It's an easy DIY.

care to elaborate (on the DIY) that is?

Part is #9 on this diagram. It's on the bottom corner of the oil pan so it's easily accessible. Just swap it out on your next oil change.

1. Remove oil pan bolt to drain oil and remove oil filter as per normal oil change.
2. Unplug the electrical connection to the sensor. Make sure you don't get any oil on it.
3. Remove the 3 hex nuts and pull out the old sensor.
4. Clean the area around the hole before you put the new sensor in. Make sure you use the new gasket that comes with the sensor.
5. Tighten the 3 hex nuts and reconnect the plug.
6. Install the new oil filter, replace oil pan bolt with new washer and refill with new oil to complete the oil change.
7. Take it for a short run and then check for leaks around the sensor.

My mechanic wants to charge me 149.99 to replace he sensor while they are doing my oil change ($90 for the oil change). Does this sound about right?

Engine model? Year of vehicle? Put it in your profile, it saves asking.

That is reasonable if it includes the price of the part (based on the cost of the sensor for my 2003 3.0). If it is just labour, it seems high to me, as the oil is already out and the vehicle is in the air.

I changed my sensor myself today and it STILL does it. The harness to the sensor looks good too.

I am having some of the same issues with mine. Originally My warning came up intermittently when I shut off the car. Then it progressed from frequently to pretty much every time. I changed the sensor when I did my last oil change. Now the warning comes up everytime I drive the car somewhere around 10 minutes into a drive. I broke down and took it to my Stealership for a diagnostic. They flashed a new program into the information system.
The problem has not changed at all and the dealership is now ignoring me because I told them it was Bullshit that I paid them $300 for what amounts to absolutely nothing.
Does anybody on this board know anything about this system?

A little.

Here is some background info:

The sensor utilizes a low voltage signal. It is therefore subject to error if there are any bad connections, corrosion in the plugs, etc. The wiring can get damaged and this can do it. Your problem appears to be temperature-related, so that suggests to me that it could be a connection problem.

There was a problem with some models relating to the light coming on after the engine was switched off. There was a service bulletin about it. I don't know your year or model (you should put it in your sig or profile), but that may be the software update that your dealer did. The update was to the lighting control module. There was another problem with faulty sensors.

See this post from Weasel with the service bulletin:

http://www.xoutpost.com/733146-post14.html

You don't note exactly what work your dealer carried out. You should have an invoice with full details of what they did. That may relate to this service bulletin, and it is worth reviewing the documentation.

As to next steps, in my experience it doesn't help to blow up at your dealer. You have found that confrontation has led to them ignoring you. Not too surprising. I would calmly explain to them that the problem persists, and that I would like their suggestions on next steps. That could include checking the switch, checking the wiring, confirming that you haven't added anything to the oil and damaged the switch, etc.

If you don't want to deal with that dealer any more, fine, find another one. You will be starting again, and writing off the $300, but you may find it less stressful. Or start following the wiring yourself, from the connection to the switch, anywhere that the wiring is subject to heat from the engine. It can be a laborious job.

Good luck.

Jeff

Thanks JCL that is great information.
My X5 is an 03' with the 4.4i.
I replaced my sensor with a cheaper model from Pelican, not the Bosch direct replacement. I am wondering if I could have even gotten a bad sensor.

On the dealership issue, I never raised my voice or tone with them. I explained to the service writer that the net-result of my money spent was absolutely nothing and that the customer experience for that is very unsatisfying.
I am an auto broker myself and I fully understand the challenges of keeping customers happy and balancing that with doing what you can.
My irritation with him/them comes from his telling me "I'm going to talk to my service director and find out what steps to take next and I'll call you back."
When a week passes with no call, I called him again. He had a little more info but no solution yet. He gave me the exact same blow-off and I haven't heard back since.

I think everyone would agree that the dealer service departments should be the absolute experts in the vehicles and systems, and where they aren't they should have access to someone who is, even if that means a call to Germany.
I have a real problem with the shoulder shrug followed by, "I guess we could try replacing the harness next??"

OK, I understood that it had come to you yelling B***t at him.

Yes, they should be the experts, but that doesn't mean that they know what to do next. They tried something that doesn't appear to have worked.

If I wasn't getting satisfaction with the service advisor, I would (politely but firmly) go right up the line until I found someone that did want to help me. If I didn't find such a person at that dealership, I would find another shop.

If they wanted to replace the harness next, I would ask them what assurances they could provide that it would help, given the history to date. I would also keep the subject open of them making a policy settlement with you for the money you spent that didn't appear to fix the problem. You may not get all of it back, but they made a profit on it.

I have the same problem and I have changed sensor but it did not help at all. I am sure it is not the sensor but the software problem. Does anyone have the solution or do the "reset" some where to solve the problem?

I had this issue. I changed the sensor and the error persisted. Then I pulled the battery cables overnight and the issue/warning went away.
I have an ODBII reader and clearing the codes that way didn't do anything.
I would recommend disconnecting the battery overnight as a good next step.

Oil error masssage
 

Thanks, I did it, the error had gone forever.