'OIL PRESS SENSOR' warning message

[Jim E]

In the last few weeks, I occassionaly get this message in my check control. It has happened at startup and shutdown. Has anybody experienced this? Is it definately a bad sensor, or could there be other wiring problems from the sensor to the computer? Also, is this sensor located at the bottom of the oil pan, attached with three small (10mm?) bolts, with a wire running from it? An insight would be appreciated.

Jim E. Kent, WA
'89 535im

[Martin in Bellevue]

Oil pressure is measured by a sensor at the top back of the head on an m30. The sensor at the bottom of the sump, captured by a ring with 3 nuts, is for oil volume.

Some on the board have reported that parking uphill will cause this volume sensor to report low oil volume.

[Dick Schneiders]

It was also intermittent and happened mostly when yours is. It was a bad oil pressure sensor and was very inexpensive and easy to replace. Cost around $20 and took less than an hour, but I am quite slow. As mentioned, the sensor at the bottom of the pan is the oil *level* sensor and it is quite a bit more expensive and not your problem right now.

Dick Schneiders


In the last few weeks, I occassionaly get this message in my check control. It has happened at startup and shutdown. Has anybody experienced this? Is it definately a bad sensor, or could there be other wiring problems from the sensor to the computer? Also, is this sensor located at the bottom of the oil pan, attached with three small (10mm?) bolts, with a wire running from it? An insight would be appreciated.

Jim E. Kent, WA
'89 535im