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E46 oil light

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rpennington View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: E46 oil light
    Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 5:18pm
Hi
My oil light shows yellow for a few seconds after starting the engine then goes out. It doesn't show straight the way but only when the engine is started & running on idle it shows after a few seconds.

I mentioned this to my local dealer when it went in for a service & they said it could be the oil level sensor at fault,I have also googled it & have read on bimmer that is what the problem is. If it was showing red it would be the oil pressure sensor/switch. Is this diagnosis correct?.
I have looked on eBay & by entering the part number from realoem it brings up quite a few with prices starting at about £15 is that too cheap or should it be more.

All help & advice would be much appreciated.

Regards
Rich
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Fishwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Apr 2017 at 10:11pm
You do not say if you have checked the oil level on the dipstick . . .
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2017 at 7:18am
Originally posted by Mike Fishwick Mike Fishwick wrote:

You do not say if you have checked the oil level on the dipstick . . .
sorry mike,yes I did check the level & it is correct.

Edited by rpennington - 23 Apr 2017 at 7:20am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NickDE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2017 at 11:33am
According to the owners manual red is oil pressure, and yellow is oil level. So if you get yellow, but the oil level on the dipstick is full it certainly sounds like the level sensor giving a bad signal. 
A cheap sensor off ebay would probably be ok - I usually avoid the very cheapest parts on offer or ones not from the UK/Germany. You could also phone your local BMW dealer, sometimes genuine parts are cheaper than ebay.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2017 at 12:23pm
Hi nick
It is always good to know what Is read online is nearly always right. At least with what I read I was 100% correct with the differences between yellow & red warning,so with that & what Bmw dealer told me & what you have said is pointing me in the right direction.

I looked at those I'd spotted on eBay again that were between the £15 - £25 mark. Their location was showing as being in the uk but when you clicked on sellers info it was an address in China & some did advertise 2 year warranty, but like you I do tend to steer clear of the cheaper stuff.

Thanks for your help.

Regards
Rich
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Apr 2017 at 10:18am
Ouch Ouch £169 from main dealer Cry
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DAVE P Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Apr 2017 at 2:32pm
I think a decent one from Hella can be had for about £40 off ebay?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Apr 2017 at 2:49pm
Originally posted by DAVE P DAVE P wrote:

I think a decent one from Hella can be had for about £40 off ebay?

hi dave

I have found one on ebay by hella with a 2 year warranty from a car parts supplier. I think they were in Poland though. That was about the £40 mark.

regards
rich


Edited by rpennington - 24 Apr 2017 at 2:51pm
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Apr 2017 at 6:31pm
Does anyone know who makes the sensor for Bmw?
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote davebrindlee36m3 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Apr 2017 at 6:14pm
probabably made in china looking at the profits bmw make per annum..LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2017 at 8:18pm
I have been looking around & has anyone heard of or used pro parts or c3bmw for any parts?

Rich
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 May 2017 at 6:05pm
Update on supplier & price

I phoned motormec this morning & got a price of about £68 for the oil sensor made by Hella. Unfortunately they don't have any in stock at the moment. Just glad it's nothing major so I can still use the car.
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DJ Syxx Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2017 at 10:49am
Originally posted by rpennington rpennington wrote:

Ouch Ouch £169 from main dealer Cry


Jesus they have gone up considerably. I remember when I swapped mine out I paid £110 that was with discount back in 2011!

Note you will have to do an oil change to swap it out Smile
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2017 at 11:10am
Originally posted by DJ Syxx DJ Syxx wrote:

Originally posted by rpennington rpennington wrote:

Ouch Ouch £169 from main dealer Cry


Jesus they have gone up considerably. I remember when I swapped mine out I paid £110 that was with discount back in 2011!

Note you will have to do an oil change to swap it out Smile

Hi DJ

Thanks for the reply. That's one reason why i am looking at an Hella one purchased from else where. I know that it more than likely won't have the bmw emblem on it, but atleast i know it will be made by the company who make them for bmw. So in a way it will still be oem. 

I have not long had the car serviced by bmw, hence the reason for not swapping it out at this stage.

regards rich

P.S. How do you put the pic into your signature?


Edited by rpennington - 17 May 2017 at 11:11am
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dteagles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2017 at 11:19am
I have used C3 extensively but not for some time, Kirby and Simon are recommended.

Think about what you can do for the club, not what it can do for you...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike Fishwick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2017 at 4:39pm
Seems like an expensive substitute for a dipstick!  More unnecessary junk which only costs you money in the long term. 

Another good reason not to by a new car with no dipstick.

If people will accept rubbish, and pay over the odds for it, they will get . . . rubbish, even overpriced rubbish with a BMW badge on it.  The same goes for the absence of spare wheels and toolkits.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2017 at 8:12am
Originally posted by dteagles dteagles wrote:

I have used C3 extensively but not for some time, Kirby and Simon are recommended.


Hi Darren
Thanks for the reply. I had never heard of C3 until I was doing some searching. How did you find their service?. Not heard of Kirby & Simon.

Rich
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
2014 F30 335d xdrive msport plus pack
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote dteagles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2017 at 1:16pm
service was great, Simon and Kirby run the business and used to be regulars at the car club track days

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 May 2017 at 4:59pm
Thanks Darren, I'll bear those guys in mind.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DJ Syxx Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2017 at 4:45pm
Originally posted by rpennington rpennington wrote:

Originally posted by DJ Syxx DJ Syxx wrote:

Originally posted by rpennington rpennington wrote:

Ouch Ouch £169 from main dealer Cry


Jesus they have gone up considerably. I remember when I swapped mine out I paid £110 that was with discount back in 2011!

Note you will have to do an oil change to swap it out Smile

Hi DJ

Thanks for the reply. That's one reason why i am looking at an Hella one purchased from else where. I know that it more than likely won't have the bmw emblem on it, but atleast i know it will be made by the company who make them for bmw. So in a way it will still be oem. 

I have not long had the car serviced by bmw, hence the reason for not swapping it out at this stage.

regards rich

P.S. How do you put the pic into your signature?


Just make sure it is a genuine hella part as I've heard stories of people buying a non bmw one and they have failed within a year.

To put the pic in my signature I uploaded it to a photo sharing site, I use flickr, then copy and paste the "IMG" code. I resized the photo also so it doesn't take up page space.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpennington Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 May 2017 at 3:23pm
Cheers DJ for the reply.

I was only looking at ones made by hella.

I'll have a look into the signature pic to see what I can come up with.

Regards
Rich
1999 E46 323i se Saloon - sold
2011 E90 325d msport - sold
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