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BMW 330 Forum : “yellow oil warning light”

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Tony1472
06/14/2008, 7:25AM
About: 2001 BMW 330ci
yellow oil warning light

when starting my car after about ten seconds the yellow oil warning light comes on, this stays on for about ten seconds and goes out, the oil is not low, this happens every time without fail, so it seems like a programming problem, if any one could help i would be very greatful, its getting on my nerves ha ha, thanks!

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littlehorn
06/14/2008, 7:27AM

Sounds like this is supposed to be happening.  Most of the lights come on when you start the car as a self-test.  If you feel it is lingering too long you might want to have the oil pressure sensor checked out by a BMW dealership but it doesn't sound out of the ordinary to me.

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Raheem9
06/15/2008, 4:12PM

I have come across the same problem a couple of times and it was the oil level sensor in the sump that was to blame.

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Danny1530
06/26/2008, 1:51PM

If the car still under warranty..bring it back to the dealer and ask for a oil sensor change. It is not uncommon this happen in in all M54 engine, it burns oil according to the dealer's services manager said. Sometimes my yellow oil light came on and i added half quart of Castro Syntec and it would be gone for about another 6000 miles. It is normal.

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Alam10
04/20/2009, 8:53PM

They usually take 1 quart every month, check the oil level and add more if its low. If you still have the light on after adding more oil, you might have a bad Oil Level Sensor. Here is a DIY to change it, cost $100 and you can save money if you can DIY

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=600818

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sassy_1
06/18/2009, 10:10AM

I own a 2001 330xi and have consistantly added a quart of oil every 500 to 800 miles. no leaks or smokey exhaust.  Normal??

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Chase257
06/18/2009, 11:34AM

no, def not normal.  go get a bottle of heartland oil stop leak and add that.  it will take care of your problem.  

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TitaniumCranium
10/05/2009, 2:12PM

This is a well known issue with BMW e46 vehicles, and many others that use the same oil level sender. This usually occurs after you have had your oil serviced when they left the key in the ignition turned to ignition position 1. The sender uses a current through a thin wire to determine if the system requires more oil. The oil in turn cools the sender but when no oil is present at all, the sender wire burns out.

When you start your engine the light is off for about 6 seconds then turn on for between 10 and 15 seconds and the goes out. That when you know the sender is bad.

The few above that said oil level sender is bad are correct.

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Maestro_1549
10/15/2009, 6:20PM

THE OIL COULD BE TO THIN OR TO THICK CHECK AMBIENT TEMP AND ADJUST IN SOUTH AFRICA IT IS HOT WE USE CASTROL LLO1

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Monza_128
11/04/2009, 11:57PM

Hmm, listening to this I definately have a messed up sensor I've been ignoring for 200,000KM on the 323. :-( Another BMW Warranty dodge, and given that it was ONLY BMW serviced before this started, ... guess who did it!

Anyhow, neither my 323 or 330 burn a significant amount between oil changes (I usually do about half the recommended interval). The only oil burner I've had was a 1995 318is 4 banger (still only 1 quart every 5,000 KM).[ I ditched it for other reasons.] I figure I do over 15,000 KMs on less than a quart. My old '86 325e that I sold to a buddy, which now has about 500,000 KM on it, still doesn't burn more than a quart between intervals.

? I guess some of you are having bad luck ?

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