Red Oil Light Flash on Shutdown

Weste46 · 11-13-2012, 02:40 PM

I've had this happen every once in a while, its a simple, quick flash, right on shutdown. I looked it up, and found one thread on it. The thread happened to be made by the previous owner of my vehicle..

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FenderGuy05 · 11-13-2012, 02:57 PM

Is it red or orange? I've had an orange flash, meaning oil is at or below minimum level. Red would indicate that there's a loss in oil pressure I believe, but on shutdown I'm not sure if it has another meaning.

scarede46er · 11-13-2012, 03:07 PM

Your oil pressure sensor is going bad. Repair ASAP.

trizzuth · 11-13-2012, 03:35 PM

Nah, this never happened to me and is not a sign of the sensor going bad I believe.

Direct indication of the sensor going bad is that it comes on in orange immediately after start up, even though the oil level is good, stays on for about 20 seconds and then goes off. This will happen each and every time you turn the car off and start it again, and that is the indication that the sensor is bad. Never heard or read anything about it being red and indicating the same thing..

scarede46er · 11-13-2012, 03:36 PM

Trizuth: That is the oil level sensor. There is a separate oil pressure sensor.

Zell · 11-13-2012, 04:09 PM

Oil level and oil pressure share the same light. Red is for pressure, amber is for level. Oil pressure takes priority over oil level if both are giving signals at the exact same time. This sounds like an oil pressure sensor problem.

Lusticles · 11-13-2012, 05:26 PM

When my sensor went bad it started doing that. Then as time went on it would rapidly ignite on and off for a few seconds every now and then.

scarede46er · 11-13-2012, 06:45 PM

Yes, Zell. Thank you, but I am aware of that. However, the light is fed via two different sensors. One is the thermal oil level sensor. While the other is the oil pressure sensor. The part number for the pressure switch is 12611710509 or 126175688480. The part number for the level sensor is 12617508003. OP needs the former.

trizzuth · 11-13-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarede46er

Trizuth: That is the oil level sensor. There is a separate oil pressure sensor.

Ahh, that is what I get for reading to fast.. Thanks for that, where does this oil pressure sensor live?

Weste46 · 11-13-2012, 07:06 PM

Okay great, so its not a mystery like all my other problems are. XD is this a threat to my engine, or can I get around to it this winter?

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Weste46 · 11-13-2012, 07:13 PM

Also, it seems like he went after it and failed to fix the issue.. I also have the same traction control light turn on with shutdown occasionally, just like the PO said in his thread. Here is is: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1648854

I also have a limp mode issue right now that has gotten progressively worse since receiving the vehicle. Possible relations?

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scarede46er · 11-13-2012, 07:16 PM

The presence or absence of the sensor itself is not critical to your engine. Assuming you aren't leaking or burning oil, you will not even notice the sensor. However, IF the pressure DOES drop, you will get no warning whatsoever. Bye bye engine. So yes, in theory, you do not NEED to fix the sensor. But you need to fix it asap. It is a 30 min diy, or that's how it seems. And it's dirt cheap, especially as compared to other BMW parts. Use furiousmethod.com to get the best price for the OEM part only. I think it is located somewhere near your VANOS. I am not sure.

Weste46 · 11-13-2012, 07:17 PM

Also, I found the leak he never did. It doesn't hit the ground, and leaks about 1 quart every 2k miles, from the area around the exhaust side cam position sensor, but I replaced the cam sensor o-ring and it did not stop the leak. The VCG was done by him as well.. so not that. Is there a relationship there??

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scarede46er · 11-13-2012, 07:23 PM

The oil pressure switch should not cause a limp mode if it goes bad. Have you had the codes read? I suggest you invest in a BMW Scanner 1.4 from ebay. 30 bucks well spent.

scarede46er · 11-13-2012, 07:24 PM

I think there is a huge thread on the forum about oil leaks. I suggest you read that. It is one of the most comprehensive guides ever. Has the oil filter housing gasket ever been changed?

Weste46 · 11-13-2012, 07:27 PM

My limp mode issue is being addressed, that's here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=951425
Any help would be wonderful on that!

The oil filter housing gasket is fine for now, but I don't believe it's been done. I checked it though, it's fine for right now.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX

11-13-2012, 02:40 PM	#1
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Red Oil Light Flash on Shutdown I've had this happen every once in a while, its a simple, quick flash, right on shutdown. I looked it up, and found one thread on it. The thread happened to be made by the previous owner of my vehicle.. Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

11-13-2012, 02:57 PM	#2
FenderGuy05 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Daly City Posts: 675 My Ride: 2002 BMW 325i View My Garage	Is it red or orange? I've had an orange flash, meaning oil is at or below minimum level. Red would indicate that there's a loss in oil pressure I believe, but on shutdown I'm not sure if it has another meaning. __________________

11-13-2012, 03:35 PM	#4
trizzuth Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Paul Pierceland Posts: 4,458 My Ride: gobbles oil like a B View My Garage	Nah, this never happened to me and is not a sign of the sensor going bad I believe. Direct indication of the sensor going bad is that it comes on in orange immediately after start up, even though the oil level is good, stays on for about 20 seconds and then goes off. This will happen each and every time you turn the car off and start it again, and that is the indication that the sensor is bad. Never heard or read anything about it being red and indicating the same thing.. __________________

11-13-2012, 04:09 PM	#6
Zell Wears carbon fiber boxers Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: In a van down by the river Posts: 3,682 My Ride: 330Ci ZHP 6sp View My Garage	Oil level and oil pressure share the same light. Red is for pressure, amber is for level. Oil pressure takes priority over oil level if both are giving signals at the exact same time. This sounds like an oil pressure sensor problem. __________________ E46Fanatic's resident mathemagician

11-13-2012, 05:26 PM	#7
Lusticles Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Annapolis Posts: 2,728 My Ride: 325Ci View My Garage	When my sensor went bad it started doing that. Then as time went on it would rapidly ignite on and off for a few seconds every now and then. __________________ number one Audi Fan

11-13-2012, 03:07 PM	#3
scarede46er Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 738 My Ride: 2001 BMW 325i ZSP View My Garage	Your oil pressure sensor is going bad. Repair ASAP.

11-13-2012, 03:36 PM	#5
scarede46er Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 738 My Ride: 2001 BMW 325i ZSP View My Garage	Trizuth: That is the oil level sensor. There is a separate oil pressure sensor.

11-13-2012, 06:45 PM	#8
scarede46er Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 738 My Ride: 2001 BMW 325i ZSP View My Garage	Yes, Zell. Thank you, but I am aware of that. However, the light is fed via two different sensors. One is the thermal oil level sensor. While the other is the oil pressure sensor. The part number for the pressure switch is 12611710509 or 126175688480. The part number for the level sensor is 12617508003. OP needs the former.

11-13-2012, 07:06 PM	#10
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Okay great, so its not a mystery like all my other problems are. XD is this a threat to my engine, or can I get around to it this winter? Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

11-13-2012, 07:13 PM	#11
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Also, it seems like he went after it and failed to fix the issue.. I also have the same traction control light turn on with shutdown occasionally, just like the PO said in his thread. Here is is: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1648854 I also have a limp mode issue right now that has gotten progressively worse since receiving the vehicle. Possible relations? Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

11-13-2012, 07:16 PM	#12
scarede46er Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 738 My Ride: 2001 BMW 325i ZSP View My Garage	The presence or absence of the sensor itself is not critical to your engine. Assuming you aren't leaking or burning oil, you will not even notice the sensor. However, IF the pressure DOES drop, you will get no warning whatsoever. Bye bye engine. So yes, in theory, you do not NEED to fix the sensor. But you need to fix it asap. It is a 30 min diy, or that's how it seems. And it's dirt cheap, especially as compared to other BMW parts. Use furiousmethod.com to get the best price for the OEM part only. I think it is located somewhere near your VANOS. I am not sure.

11-13-2012, 07:17 PM	#13
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	Also, I found the leak he never did. It doesn't hit the ground, and leaks about 1 quart every 2k miles, from the area around the exhaust side cam position sensor, but I replaced the cam sensor o-ring and it did not stop the leak. The VCG was done by him as well.. so not that. Is there a relationship there?? Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series. Last edited by Weste46; 11-13-2012 at 07:18 PM.

11-13-2012, 07:23 PM	#14
scarede46er Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 738 My Ride: 2001 BMW 325i ZSP View My Garage	The oil pressure switch should not cause a limp mode if it goes bad. Have you had the codes read? I suggest you invest in a BMW Scanner 1.4 from ebay. 30 bucks well spent.

11-13-2012, 07:24 PM	#15
scarede46er Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 738 My Ride: 2001 BMW 325i ZSP View My Garage	I think there is a huge thread on the forum about oil leaks. I suggest you read that. It is one of the most comprehensive guides ever. Has the oil filter housing gasket ever been changed?

11-13-2012, 07:27 PM	#16
Weste46 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 488 My Ride: 2001 330ci View My Garage	My limp mode issue is being addressed, that's here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=951425 Any help would be wonderful on that! The oil filter housing gasket is fine for now, but I don't believe it's been done. I checked it though, it's fine for right now. Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX __________________ Rule of Thirds: Three Pedals, Three Liters, Three Series.

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