Yellow oil light on dash

[Dave Slayter]

Hi
I've just bought my second Z3 (3.0 litre) to replace my soon to be sold black 2.8. Really lovely and drives amazing with 70k on. I notice the yellow oil light (at bottom of dash) comes on for 5-10 seconds when first start engine and then goes off and doesn't come on again (until next start car). The 'red' oil light at top of dash goes straight off. Neither lights show when driving.

I've checked oil level and is fine. Car just had oil change. Should I worry? Oil pressure sensor change needed? Anyone had same with theirs? Ideas and advice appreciated. Dave

 

[Stevo7682]

Hopefully one of the zed 4 owners will be along soon to confirm but I have seen this same issue on a 3 series and it turned out to be a fault with the oil level sensor.
Stephen.

 

[t-tony]

Has this issue only appeared since the last oil change Dave, or was it the reason for the oil change maybe before you bought the car? Oil level sensor is an issue I have only ever come across once and that was on a Merc. Vito.

Tony.

 

[Sean d]

Hopefully one of the zed 4 owners will be along soon to confirm but I have seen this same issue on a 3 series and it turned out to be a fault with the oil level sensor.
Stephen.

It's a z3 pal

 

[mwpe]

It will be the sensor in the sump, I have had it happen twice on E46 325ti's with the M54 engine. Very easy to change but you need to drain the oil so best live with it until the next oil change.

 

[Stevo7682]

It's a z3 pal

Wasn't sure as obviously didn't read the 1st line still same prognosis

 

[Mint]

On my 2.2 (same M54 based engine as my 3.0) when the oil level is a bit low the yellow oil light flashes when I switch off. Just telling me she needs a drink

 

[mwpe]

On my 2.2 (same M54 based engine as my 3.0) when the oil level is a bit low the yellow oil light flashes when I switch off. Just telling me she needs a drink

It is meant to do that but when it comes on after start up and then goes out it is usually the sensor. Both times when I have had it, sensor replacement has fixed it.

 

[Dave Slayter]

Has this issue only appeared since the last oil change Dave, or was it the reason for the oil change maybe before you bought the car? Oil level sensor is an issue I have only ever come across once and that was on a Merc. Vito.

Tony.

Not sure. I didn't notice on test drive. But as light goes off initially and pops back on for 5 or so secs I could habe missed it. I asked for oil change as condition of sale. Dave

 

[Dave Slayter]

It is meant to do that but when it comes on after start up and then goes out it is usually the sensor. Both times when I have had it, sensor replacement has fixed it.

Hi. That is good to know. So I can possibly stop stressing so much about my new wheels? Dave

 

[Dave Slayter]

Hi. That is good to know. So I can possibly stop stressing so much about my new wheels? Dave

Hi, which sensor do you replace? Isn't there an oil level sensor and an oil pressure sensor? Dave

 

[mwpe]

It's the oil level sensor, item 14.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CN52-EUR-08-2000-Z3-BMW-Z3_30i&diagId=11_6219.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=bmw+m54+oil+level+sensor

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Same happens om my 330 m54, have lived with it for over three years. Just keep an eye on the oil level, some m54s drink oil like no other engine I've known before. Except the two strokes, of course.

 

[colb]

Just changed mine on my E85 Z4, had fault code flag up showing Thermal Oil level Sensor, new one fitted when I changed the oil and cleared code with BMW Scanner 1.4. Ran scan yesterday and code clear at the moment. I think its settled down but will be monitoring how it behaves and keep an eye on the level using the dipstick.