New to the BMW world, need help

[Onimaru]

Well I just recently Became the proud owner of a 1985 BMW 325e.

The car has been running great all the guages have been working well and even the little Diag panel lights have been correct. Just recently I went for a fairly long drive to the new store I am going to be working at, when I got back all seemed well no problems nothing. I worked through my shift and when I left for home I noticed my Engine Oil light was on. I checked my oil and it was a bit low, just barely above the lower mark. so I put oil in, and figured ok cool its fixed. (worked when my low beam light was on, replace low beam, light went away) To my dismay when I started my car the Engine oil light was still on. I don't know much about BMW's other than they seem to be very strong long lasting cars. (I am a Honda geek... was my first car). If anyone might know what my problem is and can offer some help that would be great


Thanks in advance

[KC Ron Carter]

Two engine oil lights.

On the overhead panel is the known as the check panel, is the oil quantity.

On the instument cluster is the oil pressure light.

If the oil pressure light is on you need to get a new sensor or test with a mechanical guage to verify the engine has oil pressure.

Later,

[phaques]

If it's the one on the overhead panel, you can do a fairly simple continuity test with a test meter - I just had exactly the same problem last night, so I'm happy to walk you through it if you need.

[Onimaru]

Yeah its the light on the over head panel. I would really appreciate a walk through for it. You can either e-mail me or post it here that would be great.

Thanks for the Info

Oni

[phaques]

Okay...on my 1988 325is, the wiring harness for the oil level sensor is just to the rear of the alternator, and the sensor itself is mated to the oil pan almost directly below the harness. First, make sure you actually have full oil by checking your dipstick. Then disconnect the harness (access here is tough, and putting the thing back together was not easy), and orient the side of the fitting that comes from the sensor so that you can see the male electrical contacts. the plug has three plastic slides or runners on it, one at the center on one side and two at the ends on the other side. Orient the plug so that the side with the two runners is down (I'm going to try and attach a drawing to this post so this might make more sense). In this orientation, from left to right the contacts are 1,2, and 3. with the car off, there should be no continuity between contacts 1 and 2, and there should be continuity between 2 and 3. There should not be continuity between 1 and 2 with the car off OR running, unless the oil is actually low. If you have continuity, then the sensor is bad.

[phaques]

Okay, here is the image of that plug, and its orientation as I describe it...

Gawd, it's so biiiiiiig....I'm new at this feature!

[Onimaru]

Heh Thanks for the Help Now i will know what to look for should it happen again. But it fixed itself. when I got in the car and turned the power on to roll up my window the light was off, and its been fine since. Guess it just needed some time to register.

But once again thanks for the info I printed them out and will add to my book of how to fix things.

Many Thanks
Oni

[jase007]

I printed them out and will add to my book of how to fix things

I created 3-ring binders for my cars / trucks to collect "how-to-do" articles, parts diagrams and receipts and it is a great time saver. Don't have to turn on computer, find bookmark again, re-read, print out, take to the garage, etc... When I do take it in to the shop I leave the book in the car for the mechanic to review maintenance, trouble-shooting, etc... what I have done.

Short Story:

I recently replaced the head gasket on my wifes 1990 Volvo 740GLE (16 valve - twim cam) and then sold the car to a guy for his daughter going to college. I gave him the 3-ring binder with receipts, hand written notes and repair procedures, downloaded schematics - parts diagrams, parts lists and suppliers, etc... I heard from him the other day and he thanked me for including the information as it has motivated him to dig into doing some of the maintenance items on the car himself (so he could spend more $ on his daughter's "college experience" ) It has also prevented him from getting jacked on unecessary repairs "suggested" by the dealer.

Jason

[phaques]

Yes - this is a great idea. I have always kept ring binders with receipts for work done, and a log of stuff done not covered by receipts. But the addition of the diagrams and how to stuff is great. Hate getting grease and gear oil on my keyboard...

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Excellent idea about the binders. When I bought my old 320i, the previous owner was nice enough to include a huge blow up of the electical schematics, (He was an electrical engineer, go figure) This came in quite handy fixing a few of the problems that had cropped up.