M60 oil level sensor / sender versions

[m60power]

Per the BMW ETK, my 9/93 build date 740 shows two part numbers for the oil level sensor that mounts to the bottom of the oil pan, for cars up to 9/94 build date. The differences are apparently the height of the sensor.

12611704468, Length = 87mm

or

12611747119, Length = 95mm

My car has the 95mm 1 747 119 sensor, which is NLA. The ETK says this one is superseded by the 87mm sensor (12611704468), but that it is nonexchangeable retrospectively with the 95mm variant for my car.

Does anyone know what the difference is with these in terms of fitment or functionality?

Interestingly enough, if you pull up a post 9/94 build date M60 car it only shows the 87mm (12611704468) sensor and specifies that it only applies to a lower oil pan that is a different part number than the one on my car. Maybe the oil pan design is the difference?

[shogun]

the 95mm version is also installed on my M70. What is the problem? Always too low oil level? Checked the connector which goes to the cluster? On my 750 next to B+ pole http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/h...LED%20PLUG.jpg
Here some info
Der Oelstand Sensor ist mit 2 Schaltkontakten ausgefuehrt. -der statische Kontakt, -der dynamische Kontakt. Bei ausreichendem Oelstand ist der Schaltkontakt statisch geschlossen, ueber das Massesignal erkennt die CC dass der Oelstand ausreichend ist. Der dynamische Kontakt ist geoeffnet, die anliegende Ueberwachungsspannung fliesst gegen Masse. Unterschreitet das Oelniveau den dynamischen Schaltpunkt, erfolgt eine Fehlermeldung. Damit das ansteigende Oelniveau nach Abstellen des Motors den Fehler nicht loescht, bleibt die Fehlermeldung mit Kl. 30 gespeichert. Geloescht wird die Fehlermeldung erst dann, wenn vom statischen Kontakt gemeldet wird, dass das Motoroel bis zum statischen Niveau nachgefuellt wurde. Die Zuleitungen zum dynamischen Kontakt werden ebenfalls auf Unterbrechnung ueberwacht. Nach Einstellen der Zuendung wird ein Oelstandsfehler angezeigt. Bei Fahrtbeginn verloescht der Text bzw nach 20 Sekunden.Kabelstecker ueberpruefen, 1 x unten an der Oelwanne der vom Sensor, so ca. 20 cm von der Oelwanne weg, und der kommt dann oben raus Fahrerseite aus dem dicken Rohr mit dem Anlasserkabel zu +Pol. Der Stecker ist direkt neben dem +Pol. Bezogen auf den M70 Motor.

The oil level sensor is equipped with 2 switching contacts. -The static contact, the dynamic contact. When the oil level is sufficient, the switching contact is statically closed, the CC recognizes via the ground signal that the oil level is sufficient. The dynamic contact is open, the applied monitoring voltage flows to ground. If the oil level falls below the dynamic switching point, an error message is generated. So that the rising oil level does not clear the error after the engine has been switched off, the error message remains stored with terminal 30. The error message is only cleared when the static contact signals that the engine oil has been topped up to the static level. The supply lines to the dynamic contact are also monitored for interruption. After setting the feed, an oil level error is indicated. When starting the engine the text disappears or after 20 seconds.check the cable connector, 1 x at the bottom of the oil pan of the sensor, so about 20 cm away from the oil pan, and then comes out of the top driver's side from the thick tube with the starter cable to +Pol. The connector is right next to the +pole. Refers to the M70 engine.
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And here now a pdf how to repair the oil level switch: The oil level switch float is magnetic on its bottom side. If this side comes too close to the sensor, the message 'check oil level' appears.
The switch is installed from below in the small oil pan of the M70 and is therefore almost completely in the engine oil. This oil can enter the float chamber through 2 openings in the housing and lifts the float.
Over the years, deposits form at the bottom of the chamber, which on the one hand stick to the float and thus give it more weight, and on the other hand can also "stick" the float to the bottom.
If you want to attempt a repair, you can choose between 2 options.
1. chemical.
Dip the oil level switch in something that dissolves oil and oil deposits (sludge) to the point that the stuff can run out of the small openings. Will certainly have to be repeated several times.
The float should audibly click when the housing is tilted, leaving the impression of a free moving component.
Mechanical and chemical
First of all: The upper part of the housing cannot be turned! It is fixed with 2 grooves on the inside! Pic: The housing is opened. To do this, the lid must be removed from the very top. The lid is a thin aluminum sheet that is fixed with a very small protruding and bent edge of the upper part of the case. The perfectionist bends up this bent edge with the finest tools and simply removes the lid. The rustic DIYer pries out the lid and destroys it in the process. In my opinion, this is no big deal. Under the lid, a, shall we say, soldering point. This is the end of the rod on which the float moves up and down inside the housing. The solder dot is to be melted and the solder ideally sucked off. While the solder is liquid and the rest of the housing is really very hot, the (hot!) top part must be pulled upwards off the bottom part. It is at this point that the thought of buying a new oil level switch comes to the fore . If you are not irritated by the adversity, you have free access to the float and the float chamber after separating the housing halves.
Mark the bottom of the float. This is magnetic and allows the sensor to react to the underside of the oil level switch. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

[m60power]

The switch itself works fine, but unfortunately the harness and connector has crumbled apart from what I assume to be age and road debris impact over the years... After pulling back the dust boot it seems the design of the connector is such that it's not really replaceable; the wire terminals are sort of permanently embedded in the connector housing.

I started trying to find a used one with a good harness to cut the wire off of and solder it to my oil sender, but haven't had much luck so I started looking into replacing it (unfortunately they are quite expensive). That's when I ran into the part number issue...

[shogun]

I replaced the plug , Bosch 1928402452: 3 pin plug to replace Oil Level Sensor plug at Battery Post. If it has failed.
· Male flat pins for this plug: Hella B 187, 050-1.00 mm2, 2.8 x 0.8 mm
see here pics when I replaced the alternator cable and this plug http://twrite.org/shogunnew/fixes/electricalpower.html
in the net search for Male Junior Power Timer Terminal: 1928402452, 1-963748-1, 828905-1, 1280703022, Genuine Male Bosch 3 Way Junior Power Timer With Terminals, Boot & Cable Seals
Or just make a new harness with plugs and pins available locally.

realoem shows 12611704468, Length = 87mm can replace 12611747119, Length = 95mm on your car
12611704468 Oil-level sensor L=87MM From: 04/18/1994 To: - ,Supersedes: 12611747119 09/16/1991 — , Exchangeable retrospectively, 12611720420 09/09/1987 — 06/14/1994, Exchangeable retrospectively, 12611718520 06/01/1987 — 09/15/1987. Part 12611704468 was found on the following vehicles: E34 03/1992 — 06/1996, E32 03/1991 — 04/1994, E31 12/1992 — 05/1999
Part 12611704468 was found on the following E32 vehicles:
7' E32, 730i, Sedan, M60, MANUAL, EUR, (GD11) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 730i, Sedan, M60, AUTO, EUR, (GD21) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 730i, Sedan, M60, AUTO, EUR, (GD22) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 730iL, Sedan, M60, MANUAL, EUR, (GD51) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 730iL, Sedan, M60, AUTO, EUR, (GD61) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 730iL, Sedan, M60, AUTO, EUR, (GD62) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 740i, Sedan, M60, AUTO, EUR, (GD41) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 740i, Sedan, M60, AUTO, EUR, (GD42) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 740i, Sedan, M60, AUTO, USA, (GD43) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 740iL, Sedan, M60, AUTO, EUR, (GD81) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 740iL, Sedan, M60, AUTO, EUR, (GD82) : Oil pan/oil level indicator
7' E32, 740iL, Sedan, M60, AUTO, USA, (GD83) : Oil pan/oil level indicator

GD83-USA-09-1993-E32-BMW-740iL
06 Oil-level sensor L=87MM up to 04/1994 12611704468
06 Oil-level sensor L=95MM up to 04/1994 12611747119
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=11_4663

[m60power]

Thanks for the info about the plug and terminals.

As for the applicability to my car, realoem does list it for the 09/1993 US 740iL, but when I click the link for the 95mm (12611747119) part number it shows the 87mm version is not exchangeable:

119Capture.JPG

But if I go to the 87mm (12611704468) part number it shows the 95mm 747119 part number is exchangeable:

468Capture.JPG

So not sure what to believe. Also regarding the oil pan thing I just noticed this on the realoem page for my 9/93 car:

panCapture.JPG

That lower oil pan part number is the later version (which isn't the one on my car), and it says only in conjunction with the 87mm sender...

[shogun]

the M60 I do not know in detail, there a M60 specialist has to chime in. If you can get hold of used ones of both versions you could compare. Maybe easiest + cheapest is you just replace the wire loom.

[m60power]

the M60 I do not know in detail, there a M60 specialist has to chime in. If you can get hold of used ones of both versions you could compare. Maybe easiest + cheapest is you just replace the wire loom.

Yeah I'm leaning towards replacing the wire loom. I don't want to throw away a perfectly working sensor, but I do want to make sure I can replicate the OE mounting design of the wire harness in the way that it nicely attaches to those oil pan clips and fits into the sensor's cover plate channel. That Bosch plug connector part number you posted looks like it has the slot on the body that'll fit the oil pan clip, but its housing is a lot shorter than the fully encased plug design of the connector on the sender so I may need to extend the wires of the harness a little bit.

[moroza]

I might have one. I also have notes on how I deleted mine without throwing a CCM warning. The wiring diagrams (for an E34 anyway) are wrong; X20/1 and sensor/3 is WS, not BL/WS; X20/2 and sensor/1 is BL/WS, not BL/GE. I spliced the BR ground straight to the WS, and to the BL/WS through a 1kohm 5W resistor.

[blckstrm]

Mine kept giving me a low oil warning, so I replaced it. Real OEM doesn't tell you what your car has, but a call to a dealer will. They can look up the correct one and my recollection is that they can get both even though the one shows NLA.

Worth a call in the morning vs the wiring job you're looking at.

[m60power]

I might have one. I also have notes on how I deleted mine without throwing a CCM warning. The wiring diagrams (for an E34 anyway) are wrong; X20/1 and sensor/3 is WS, not BL/WS; X20/2 and sensor/1 is BL/WS, not BL/GE. I spliced the BR ground straight to the WS, and to the BL/WS through a 1kohm 5W resistor.

Good info. Did you actually remove it from the oil pan and cap the hole somehow, or just leave it in unplugged? Yeah let me know if you have one that you want to get rid of.

Mine kept giving me a low oil warning, so I replaced it. Real OEM doesn't tell you what your car has, but a call to a dealer will. They can look up the correct one and my recollection is that they can get both even though the one shows NLA.

Worth a call in the morning vs the wiring job you're looking at.

I called the local dealer and they confirmed 12611747119 is the correct version (which is also the one that's in my car), and they said there are none left in the US dealer network or Germany. Also, according to the dealer the 12611704468 (87mm) version is not compatible with my car, and only an older part number, 12611720420, would work in its place (this one has been NLA for a very long time).

Also for others that may come across this thread - I thought it was odd that Realoem doesn't even list the oil pan part number that's installed on my car for the oil sensor compatibility, and one thing I didn't think to check when I first posted was what comes up under an early build date 540i; well it turns out realoem actually lists both oil pan versions under the 540i and clearly shows the 95mm sensor is for one pan, and the 87mm sensor for the other oil pan:

e34m60sensor.JPG

[moroza]

Just left it there and unplugged. I definitely have at least one, not sure if it works.

[m60power]

Forgot to provide an update to this thread - I ended up repairing my oil level sensor's wire harness with a new Bosch plug that shogun recommended (p/n 1928402452), and it worked perfectly with the mount bracket and chassis-side harness connector. It's a 3 pin male junior power timer connector; I ordered a Bosch one off Ebay that was a kit which came with the wire terminals and the silicone plug seals for each wire too. I reused the connector boot from my old harness. I didn't want to spend a fortune on the proper AMP / TE Connectivity / Tyco crimping tool and dies, so I bought a couple cheapo open barrel crimp tools from amazon in the correct crimp type profile for the terminal's wire crimp tabs and one for the wire seal crimp tabs. They did the job just fine.

One thing of note is that the short ends of the plug housing's mounting slot each have a little tab sticking up in the center of the slot's channel, so I had to cut that out on one end so the bosch plug housing could slide all the way home into the bracket clip on the oil pan.

No more 'oil level sensor' warning in the check control!

[dimonlexx]

Hi guys,
let me update the thread.
I decided to replace my old oil pan with new one on my m60. And I found that new oil pan has a bit different form. But the main issue is that it requires 87mm oil sensor. But I have 95mm sensor. The question is: can I use my old sensor with new oil pan? My only fear is that it won't be possible to install new oil pan with a bit longer oil sensor.
Maybe smbd had an experience here

[m60power]

Hi guys,
let me update the thread.
I decided to replace my old oil pan with new one on my m60. And I found that new oil pan has a bit different form. But the main issue is that it requires 87mm oil sensor. But I have 95mm sensor. The question is: can I use my old sensor with new oil pan? My only fear is that it won't be possible to install new oil pan with a bit longer oil sensor.
Maybe smbd had an experience here

I honestly have no idea. I would take measurements comparing the mounting height of the 95mm sensor relative to the lower oil pan's gasket flange for both oil pan variants, and also measure clearance to whatever is directly above the top of the sensor in the engine. Even if it does physically fit, there's also the question of if the low oil level warning will be incorrect when using the 95mm tall sensor in the updated oil pan. I suppose there are two outcomes to this - either the low oil warning is triggered when the oil isn't actually low, or worse, the oil level is too low but the sensor doesn't trigger the low oil warning.

The good news is the 87mm sensor is still available to purchase if the original 95mm sensor doesn't work.

[dimonlexx]

I honestly have no idea. I would take measurements comparing the mounting height of the 95mm sensor relative to the lower oil pan's gasket flange for both oil pan variants, and also measure clearance to whatever is directly above the top of the sensor in the engine. Even if it does physically fit, there's also the question of if the low oil level warning will be incorrect when using the 95mm tall sensor in the updated oil pan. I suppose there are two outcomes to this - either the low oil warning is triggered when the oil isn't actually low, or worse, the oil level is too low but the sensor doesn't trigger the low oil warning.

The good news is the 87mm sensor is still available to purchase if the original 95mm sensor doesn't work.

thanks for your answer! Yes, I'll measure if my old level sensor fit, but nobody can ask about mistakenly error. And yes, 87mm sensor is available, but price doesn't make me happy )
In two weeks I have some free days to change oil pan. So, I'll back with the result of my investigation

[dimonlexx]

Hi again! It was discovered that the old (long) sensor fits to new (low) oil pan. At the same time I have no errors about low oil level. I will control oil level to be sure it is ok and compare it with sensor warning

[m60power]

Hi again! It was discovered that the old (long) sensor fits to new (low) oil pan. At the same time I have no errors about low oil level. I will control oil level to be sure it is ok and compare it with sensor warning

Awesome, that's great to know! Thank you for the update!

[shogun]

Just for info, Part number: 12611747119 length = 95MM oil level sensor is apparently NLA, but if you google search with the p/n there are still some available worldwide, used and new old stock, wide price range from $50 used one to >$400 new