Yellow Oil Light

dillard · 04-21-2004, 01:30 PM

This may sound like a stupid question... which means it probably is...

What does the yellow oil light mean?

Mine comes on every once in awhile but goes off. I checked the oil and the level seems fine.

Any tips?

4open · 04-21-2004, 02:25 PM

Hey. they actually talk about the oil light in either the manual or service manual. check it out. if it comes on and goes out....that means you're about a quart low. otherwise, it means you need to change it. -O-

notE46 · 04-21-2004, 07:05 PM

yellow oil light = oil level low

red = oil pressure low

add 1/4 of a quart and see if it goes away. also i find that many people do not check the oil level correctly. it should be checked when the engine is warm. after shutting of the engine on a level surface, wait 5mins then check the level. wipe off the initial reading, then put the stick back in.

dillard · 04-27-2004, 03:51 PM

I added oil and the yellow light still comes on.

Does anyone know of any other reason for a yellow oil light other than oil level?

Does a yellow oil light leave a code on the OBC?

Thanks

notE46 · 04-27-2004, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dillard

I added oil and the yellow light still comes on.

Does anyone know of any other reason for a yellow oil light other than oil level?

Does a yellow oil light leave a code on the OBC?

Thanks

how much did you add? I know with the 330i I had to add a whole quart.

dillard · 04-28-2004, 02:03 PM

My dip-stick read ok (middle) and I still added a full quart.

I think it has something to do with manually re-setting my oil service interval.

I plan to swing by the dealer to ask their advice.

Thanks

323iguy · 04-29-2004, 10:18 PM

had the same problem. if your oil level is not low you need a new sensor. and by the way my manual says yellow means oil level at the minimum and to pull over righ thten and there

dillard · 06-25-2004, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 323iguy

had the same problem. if your oil level is not low you need a new sensor. and by the way my manual says yellow means oil level at the minimum and to pull over righ thten and there

Dealer suggested the same. New sensor installed was estimated at $800. I think I will live with the 5 sec oil light and watch my oil level closely.

Thanks

Dev · 06-25-2004, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dillard

New sensor installed was estimated at $800.

XX · 06-25-2004, 08:55 PM

every day, and almost every start up, my yellow oil light comes on for about 5 seconds. dipstick is fine.

$800 for a sensor? jhc!

ditto above, i'll live with the yellow light!

323iguy · 06-26-2004, 01:33 PM

WHAT? 800 $ ? thats insane find a good mechanic that isnt your dealer to do it. and just have them do it when you need your oil changed cuz they need to open the oil pan anyway to do it and get a new gasket it shouldnt be more than like 300 bucks for all that

Surk01 · 06-30-2004, 12:10 PM

Did all the pre-lim checks as you>>Had exactly same thing happening when I bought my e46 328... dealer replaced oil level sensor=fixed!! (yellow light)

Try sourcing the sensor aftermarket.... https://www.ultimatebmwparts.com/

imagine the mods $800 could buy you!!

vnspaceboy · 08-05-2005, 02:11 PM

I got the same problem with my 330ci. The yellow oil light comes on once and awhile. I check my oil level every week. I still get the same problem.

04-21-2004, 01:30 PM	#1
dillard Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 738 My Ride: 2004 M3 Cabrio View My Garage	Yellow Oil Light This may sound like a stupid question... which means it probably is... What does the yellow oil light mean? Mine comes on every once in awhile but goes off. I checked the oil and the level seems fine. Any tips? __________________ Proud owner of '04 M3 Convertible:

04-21-2004, 02:25 PM	#2
4open Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 87 My Ride: 04 330i performance View My Garage	Re:oil light Hey. they actually talk about the oil light in either the manual or service manual. check it out. if it comes on and goes out....that means you're about a quart low. otherwise, it means you need to change it. -O-

04-21-2004, 07:05 PM	#3
notE46 Where am I? Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: CA Posts: 1,807 My Ride: M Coupe View My Garage	yellow oil light = oil level low red = oil pressure low add 1/4 of a quart and see if it goes away. also i find that many people do not check the oil level correctly. it should be checked when the engine is warm. after shutting of the engine on a level surface, wait 5mins then check the level. wipe off the initial reading, then put the stick back in. __________________ '87 325iS Sold but not forgotten. '08 MINI Cooper S Mellow Yellow '00 M Coupe Dakar Duck '02 330ia

04-27-2004, 03:51 PM	#4
dillard Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 738 My Ride: 2004 M3 Cabrio View My Garage	I added oil and the yellow light still comes on. Does anyone know of any other reason for a yellow oil light other than oil level? Does a yellow oil light leave a code on the OBC? Thanks __________________ Proud owner of '04 M3 Convertible:

04-28-2004, 02:03 PM	#6
dillard Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 738 My Ride: 2004 M3 Cabrio View My Garage	My dip-stick read ok (middle) and I still added a full quart. I think it has something to do with manually re-setting my oil service interval. I plan to swing by the dealer to ask their advice. Thanks __________________ Proud owner of '04 M3 Convertible:

04-29-2004, 10:18 PM	#7
323iguy 99 323 with a few dents Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: boston Posts: 514 My Ride: 99 323i, 96 328conv. View My Garage	i had the same problem. if your oil level is not low you need a new sensor. and by the way my manual says yellow means oil level at the minimum and to pull over righ thten and there

06-25-2004, 08:55 PM	#10
XX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: California Posts: 57 My Ride: '01BMW330Cic View My Garage	every day, and almost every start up, my yellow oil light comes on for about 5 seconds. dipstick is fine. $800 for a sensor? jhc! ditto above, i'll live with the yellow light! __________________ davidw 2001BMW330Cic

06-26-2004, 01:33 PM	#11
323iguy 99 323 with a few dents Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: boston Posts: 514 My Ride: 99 323i, 96 328conv. View My Garage	800? WHAT? 800 $ ? thats insane find a good mechanic that isnt your dealer to do it. and just have them do it when you need your oil changed cuz they need to open the oil pan anyway to do it and get a new gasket it shouldnt be more than like 300 bucks for all that

06-30-2004, 12:10 PM	#12
Surk01 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 123 My Ride: 99 Steel BluE46 328i View My Garage	Oil light Did all the pre-lim checks as you>>Had exactly same thing happening when I bought my e46 328... dealer replaced oil level sensor=fixed!! (yellow light) Try sourcing the sensor aftermarket.... https://www.ultimatebmwparts.com/ imagine the mods $800 could buy you!! Last edited by Surk01; 06-30-2004 at 12:12 PM.

08-05-2005, 02:11 PM	#13
vnspaceboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: houston Posts: 17 My Ride: 330ci View My Garage	Yellow Light!! I got the same problem with my 330ci. The yellow oil light comes on once and awhile. I check my oil level every week. I still get the same problem.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: