e46 B3s - Amber Oil Light

bmw virgin · Post by **bmw virgin** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:48 pm

Hi Guys

Any ideas why the oil light comes on amber for about 10secs within a minute of starting up? It doesn't matter if the engine is hot or cold, it still comes on!

hap · Post by **hap** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 11:12 pm

Faulty sensor or due a top up as gone below min level
If haven't checked for while then cud b low

Post by **Charles** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 4:05 pm

As Hap has said ...

The engine oil sensor goes through a test cycle after start-up and if it goes out but then reappears about 30 seconds later then this suggests a faulty sensor - but in my case, it glowed red not amber.

That being the case, it is more likely to be a true warning about low oil level - but then again, you should get the amber light coming on when you switch off.

scalesg · Post by **scalesg** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 7:43 pm

Edit - Sorry, I misread as you say after start up

Info below is correct anyhow but doesn't help you

Amber oil light after engine switch off = check your oil level - This is straight from the BMW owners manual

I know as I had a leaky 330 as my last car

Red oil light whilst driving = Stop immediately and check oil level

Post by **Charles** » Mon Oct 24, 2016 11:32 pm

Before any of this, we need to know what the actual oil level is ...

bmw virgin · Post by **bmw virgin** » Sun Nov 20, 2016 12:36 am

The oil was a little low but I topped it up and covered 150mls shortly after. The oil light still behaves the same!

Post by **Charles** » Sun Nov 20, 2016 2:17 pm

bmw virgin wrote:The oil was a little low but I topped it up and covered 150mls shortly after. The oil light still behaves the same!

Then I believe that you have a faulty oil level sensor

hap · Post by **hap** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:02 pm

My light was acting strange topped up 500ml few days ago
Then today every time I start car does the correct sequence of red Amber goes off however it comes on while driving stays on for 10 secs and goes off and doesn't then reappear
Will check level when cold?
Normally light would come on after turning off of it's low on oil

bmw virgin · Post by **bmw virgin** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:07 pm

That's exactly how the oil light behaves on my car. Doesn't matter whether the oil is topped up or not. Will be interesting to see what causes it!

hap · Post by **hap** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:16 pm

Right Colin how long has yours done it? Presume your level is ok
It does feel like sensor has given up the ghost ?
Cheer

bmw virgin · Post by **bmw virgin** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 11:37 pm

Been doing it at least 3 months. Happens every time I start up, whether the engine is hot or cold. I don't think the amount of engine revs affects it either.

I'm no expert but it does make you think it could be a sensor issue.

hap · Post by **hap** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 12:16 am

Have You costed a replacement at all ?

Bertroex · Post by **Bertroex** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 12:21 am

When I had my E46, it was about 28 quid IIRC...

Kind regards,

Bert

Post by **Charles** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 12:42 am

bmw virgin wrote:Been doing it at least 3 months. Happens every time I start up, whether the engine is hot or cold. I don't think the amount of engine revs affects it either.

I'm no expert but it does make you think it could be a sensor issue.

As I said before, this is an indication that the sensor has failed.

Been there, seen it and replaced the faulty part!

hap · Post by **hap** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 7:11 pm

Is it a quick fix Charles and how much
Mine still doing it ahhhh