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Thread: Oil light

  1. #1
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    2001 BMW 330ci

    Oil light

    2004 330CI....the oil light comes on and off with stops, starts, etc. stick shows full?...just purchased the car and it is leaking a little oil. any suggestions?

  2. #2
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    Well if the level is showing good on the dipstick I'd start with the oil level sensor. Make sure not to overfill the engine, that's the most important thing

  3. #3
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    How many miles on the car? How many miles on the oil and filter? If you can't answer that latter question, I recommend you change the oil and filter. The needs to have the "BMW LL01" logo on the bottle. The filter must be made by Mann. The engine takes 7 quarts of oil.

  4. #4
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    Which color is the oil lamp red or yellow?

    Red means low pressure, I would stop driving the car.
    Yellow means low oil in the pan. Yes the E-46 is pretty bad for having them go bad after 10 years, buy a Hella one.
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  5. #5
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    2004 330 vert 2004 X5
    Quote Originally Posted by dworthy View Post
    Which color is the oil lamp red or yellow?

    Red means low pressure, I would stop driving the car.
    Yellow means low oil in the pan. Yes the E-46 is pretty bad for having them go bad after 10 years, buy a Hella one.
    Is it one sensor for both pressure and level? Or separate ones?

  6. #6
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    EXOTICS
    Quote Originally Posted by MarcoZandrini View Post
    How many miles on the car? How many miles on the oil and filter? If you can't answer that latter question, I recommend you change the oil and filter. The needs to have the "BMW LL01" logo on the bottle. The filter must be made by Mann. The engine takes 7 quarts of oil.
    I totally agree with Marco, I would only like to add that you replace all O-rings#4,#5,in diagram:
    http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_2201
    as the o-rings affect oil pressure.

  7. #7
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    Yes, please.
    The oil level sensor should be replaced if the light comes on and off frequently when driving.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by Junglenut View Post
    The oil level sensor should be replaced if the light comes on and off frequently when driving.
    Yes^ if the dipstick shows its full (which in my opinion is best way to check oil level since it isn't electronic) and it's blinking and stuff at stops or when taking of its most likely a defective oil level sensor. It's $50 so it's relatively cheap anyways. If you can get a high end scanner in there and test all modules and sensors.. but I'm assuming that just like me you don't have a $1000+ computer to test so I say start with the level sensor

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