Oil Temp Gauge Acting Up.. Picture attached. Advice anyone?

badhbtz · 12-10-2009, 12:57 PM

The Arrow points to the item I am referencing.. This Oil temp gauge sometimes shows the temp accurately.. and sometimes it looks like this in the picture.. Dead.. Like its not active. Im sure its the sensor but there are a few to contend with. Does anyone know which sensor is linked to this puppy?

Thanks!!!

badhbtz · 12-10-2009, 02:58 PM

Comeon Fanatics!! 20 People have viewed and nobody cares to help?

Help a brother out now..

dino71 · 12-10-2009, 03:02 PM

I dont end a M3 but I think your temperature sending unit is probably broken. Its usually threaded into the oil pan..maybe? I know there are sending units for oil pressure but I guess they have them for temperature too. I would call the dealership and ask them is a sending unit exists for your car. I hope this helped.

Custom3 · 12-10-2009, 03:07 PM

oil temp sensor?

lucky m3 owners get a oil temp guage there....we get a f*cking useless mpg guage

api · 12-10-2009, 07:28 PM

My first question is, you list that your location is Michigan but you have a Euro Tach. This does not seem standard on a US car. Why is this?

If you have a swap I would check to see if you might have a loose connection in the back of the cluster. If that is good I would check your sensor to see if that has gone bad.

johnm · 12-10-2009, 08:10 PM

The oil temp sensor is on the RHS of the oil filter. The control module is under the glove box- it's common with the oat display. Was it cold out when you took the picture or is the oat acting up too? If so you may have a problem with the module. F23 and F31 are involved. If it's just oil temp it's most likely the sensor or wiring. Second choice'd be a problem within the cluster.

Cheers
JM

mredwin25 · 12-10-2009, 10:25 PM

the oil temp sensor is located on the oil pan, not on the filter housing, it is very common for it to fail on the M3. Look at the pic it is item #12, PM me I have a spare one in my spare parts box.

Click image for larger version

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azndrunk74 · 12-11-2009, 01:08 AM

yup oil temp sensor, i have the same issue. it's especially annoying because performance and MPG drops too.

badhbtz · 12-11-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by api

My first question is, you list that your location is Michigan but you have a Euro Tach. This does not seem standard on a US car. Why is this?

If you have a swap I would check to see if you might have a loose connection in the back of the cluster. If that is good I would check your sensor to see if that has gone bad.

I do live in Michigan.. This is a Euro Spec M3 very rare.. It came in thru Canada.

Im just looking for some help on how to remedy the sensor

badhbtz · 12-11-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mredwin25

the oil temp sensor is located on the oil pan, not on the filter housing, it is very common for it to fail on the M3. Look at the pic it is item #12, PM me I have a spare one in my spare parts box.
Attachment 341122

Sent you a PM!! thanks guys!

badhbtz · 12-11-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnm

The oil temp sensor is on the RHS of the oil filter. The control module is under the glove box- it's common with the oat display. Was it cold out when you took the picture or is the oat acting up too? If so you may have a problem with the module. F23 and F31 are involved. If it's just oil temp it's most likely the sensor or wiring. Second choice'd be a problem within the cluster.

Cheers
JM

Thanks for the info! i will check all these items!

mredwin25 · 12-11-2009, 08:37 AM

pm's replied

johnm · 12-12-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mredwin25

the oil temp sensor is located on the oil pan, not on the filter housing, it is very common for it to fail on the M3. Look at the pic it is item #12, PM me I have a spare one in my spare parts box.
Attachment 341122

You sure that's not the level sensor (thermal level sensor to be precise)? ETM shows the level sensor in the sump and the temp sensor in the filter block.

Cheers
JM

///M3PO · 05-06-2010, 02:23 PM

Hey guys,

Relatively new M3 owner here, but I am encountering the same problem. I searced the forum for a little more info but this was about the most useful thread I could find.

I ordered a new oil leveling sensor from Autohaus and just had the oil changed and new sensor installed earlier today and the guage still does not inidicate the temp(plus i get the yellow light staying on ~10 seconds after ignition) after a spirited drive back from the shop. I'm gonna go ahead and assue the shop tech knew what he was doing and installed it properly. Any idea what my next step could be?

roysefus1 · 06-08-2010, 03:36 AM

Im having the same problem so maybe we could work together.

M Shark · 06-08-2010, 08:26 AM

I might have this problem in the future so I'm bookmarking this page. LOL!

sick.boy1986 · 06-08-2010, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M3PO

Any idea what my next step could be?

Try searching m3forum.net, if you don't find anything, post there.

wtm1417 · 06-08-2010, 04:47 PM

Yeah as mentioned above this is a common issue for e46 m3's. I had to change mine several months ago and it wasn't too hard. Next time you need to change your oil just drop the plastic skid plate in front, and then the metal skid plate behind it. Then you will see the oil leveling sensor held in by 1 torx bolt i think. Just swap it out after you drain the oil. Took less the 45 min. I think if you search oil leveling sensor you will find more info.

roysefus1 · 06-10-2010, 11:35 AM

do the codes have to be cleared after installing the new oil temp sensor?

azndrunk74 · 06-10-2010, 09:06 PM

^^^ nope

12-10-2009, 02:58 PM	#2
badhbtz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 63 My Ride: E46 M3 View My Garage	Comeon Fanatics!! 20 People have viewed and nobody cares to help? Help a brother out now.. __________________ 01' M3 - 6puck ceramic/LW Fly

12-10-2009, 03:07 PM	#4
Custom3 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dirty Jersey Posts: 5,327 My Ride: HellRot 330CI View My Garage	oil temp sensor? lucky m3 owners get a oil temp guage there....we get a f*cking useless mpg guage __________________

12-10-2009, 07:28 PM	#5
api Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 205 My Ride: 03 M3 6-spd View My Garage	My first question is, you list that your location is Michigan but you have a Euro Tach. This does not seem standard on a US car. Why is this? If you have a swap I would check to see if you might have a loose connection in the back of the cluster. If that is good I would check your sensor to see if that has gone bad. __________________ MODS: 03 M3, 6MT, PSS9, AFE Intake, El Diablo Exhaust, Turner Motorsports Rear Adjustable Camber Arms, PowerFlex bushings, 18'x9' square setup & one driver that grins ear to ear everytime he is driving it Last edited by api; 12-10-2009 at 07:30 PM.

12-10-2009, 08:10 PM	#6
johnm Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia, Hobart Posts: 318 My Ride: TiAg M3 View My Garage	The oil temp sensor is on the RHS of the oil filter. The control module is under the glove box- it's common with the oat display. Was it cold out when you took the picture or is the oat acting up too? If so you may have a problem with the module. F23 and F31 are involved. If it's just oil temp it's most likely the sensor or wiring. Second choice'd be a problem within the cluster. Cheers JM __________________

12-10-2009, 10:25 PM	#7
mredwin25 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 93 My Ride: E46 M3 E90 325i View My Garage	the oil temp sensor is located on the oil pan, not on the filter housing, it is very common for it to fail on the M3. Look at the pic it is item #12, PM me I have a spare one in my spare parts box. __________________ E46 M3 Imola/Imola AA ASA Supercharger Prototype Kit, Headers, Intake, RE rasp pipe, ZCP OEM wheels, Vogtland Springs, Konis, TMS sways.

12-10-2009, 12:57 PM	#1
badhbtz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 63 My Ride: E46 M3 View My Garage	Oil Temp Gauge Acting Up.. Picture attached. Advice anyone? The Arrow points to the item I am referencing.. This Oil temp gauge sometimes shows the temp accurately.. and sometimes it looks like this in the picture.. Dead.. Like its not active. Im sure its the sensor but there are a few to contend with. Does anyone know which sensor is linked to this puppy? Thanks!!! Attached Thumbnails __________________ 01' M3 - 6puck ceramic/LW Fly

12-10-2009, 03:02 PM	#3
dino71 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 122 My Ride: 2003 BMW 330i View My Garage	I dont end a M3 but I think your temperature sending unit is probably broken. Its usually threaded into the oil pan..maybe? I know there are sending units for oil pressure but I guess they have them for temperature too. I would call the dealership and ask them is a sending unit exists for your car. I hope this helped.

12-11-2009, 01:08 AM	#8
azndrunk74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 455 My Ride: LSB vert View My Garage	yup oil temp sensor, i have the same issue. it's especially annoying because performance and MPG drops too. __________________ LSB\|Cinnamon\|Hardtop\|VCSL GTS3 Diffuser\|VCSL Bumper\|VCSL Single Sided CF Bootlid\|AA Gen 3\|UUC SSK\|VOLK Mercury Silver TE37\|Bilstein PSS9\|GC RSM\|Euro Cats\|Headers\|Avic Z3 NAV\|

12-11-2009, 08:37 AM	#12
mredwin25 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami Posts: 93 My Ride: E46 M3 E90 325i View My Garage	pm's replied __________________ E46 M3 Imola/Imola AA ASA Supercharger Prototype Kit, Headers, Intake, RE rasp pipe, ZCP OEM wheels, Vogtland Springs, Konis, TMS sways.

05-06-2010, 02:23 PM	#14
///M3PO Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 6 My Ride: 2004 M3 View My Garage	Hey guys, Relatively new M3 owner here, but I am encountering the same problem. I searced the forum for a little more info but this was about the most useful thread I could find. I ordered a new oil leveling sensor from Autohaus and just had the oil changed and new sensor installed earlier today and the guage still does not inidicate the temp(plus i get the yellow light staying on ~10 seconds after ignition) after a spirited drive back from the shop. I'm gonna go ahead and assue the shop tech knew what he was doing and installed it properly. Any idea what my next step could be?

06-08-2010, 03:36 AM	#15
roysefus1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Troupsburg, NY Posts: 20 My Ride: Mercedes C-Class AMG View My Garage	Im having the same problem so maybe we could work together.

06-08-2010, 08:26 AM	#16
M Shark Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: in my car Posts: 376 My Ride: '04 M3 View My Garage	I might have this problem in the future so I'm bookmarking this page. LOL! __________________ _____________________________________________

06-08-2010, 04:47 PM	#18
wtm1417 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: VA Posts: 16 My Ride: LSB E46 M3 View My Garage	Yeah as mentioned above this is a common issue for e46 m3's. I had to change mine several months ago and it wasn't too hard. Next time you need to change your oil just drop the plastic skid plate in front, and then the metal skid plate behind it. Then you will see the oil leveling sensor held in by 1 torx bolt i think. Just swap it out after you drain the oil. Took less the 45 min. I think if you search oil leveling sensor you will find more info.

06-10-2010, 11:35 AM	#19
roysefus1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Troupsburg, NY Posts: 20 My Ride: Mercedes C-Class AMG View My Garage	do the codes have to be cleared after installing the new oil temp sensor?

06-10-2010, 09:06 PM	#20
azndrunk74 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bay Area Posts: 455 My Ride: LSB vert View My Garage	^^^ nope __________________ LSB\|Cinnamon\|Hardtop\|VCSL GTS3 Diffuser\|VCSL Bumper\|VCSL Single Sided CF Bootlid\|AA Gen 3\|UUC SSK\|VOLK Mercury Silver TE37\|Bilstein PSS9\|GC RSM\|Euro Cats\|Headers\|Avic Z3 NAV\|

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