Jendon2
Active Member
73 cs ..My oil light comes on intermittently ? Just had the oil changed 4wks ago started coming on just this week.. have not seen any oil spots?
should I just add oil?
thanks
should I just add oil?
thanks
73 cs oil light comes on intermittently ?
- Thread starter Jendon2
- Start date
Did you check oil level on dipstick, is it low? How many miles since full? Any smoke?
MMercury
Well-Known Member
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You neglected to mention under what circumstances the light is illuminated. For example, idle, corners, grades, engine speed and engine operation temperature.
Per other's suggestion, first concern is sufficient oil in the sump. Second concern is whether the oil is correct viscosity, e.g., 20W50. Third consideration might be whether the oil pressure gauge is functioning correctly. After that . . . its time to roll up your sleeves.
IMHO, oil light means pressure, not level
so, once you check that the level is correct, should you check other problems
if it is intermitent my first idea is to check the electric conections in the gauge and in the pressure sender
if all this is ok then the problem can be, the oil pump, the conducts (obstructions) ..., the type of things that would mean opening the engine, so check the conections first
After checking wires and all else is ok, before tearing into the engine replace the sender.
Jendon2
Active Member
Oil light on and off
Where is the oil sensor .. Does anybody have a picture or diagram?
So I can check it
Also how do I check the oil gauge wiring,can I get to it under the dash.
Thanks
Where is the oil sensor .. Does anybody have a picture or diagram?
So I can check it
Also how do I check the oil gauge wiring,can I get to it under the dash.
Thanks
MMercury
Well-Known Member
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The oil pressure sender switch is located at the rear of the cylinder head - virtually next to the firewall. It is not uncommon for one to fail or leak, but as was stated before, ensure that you have: enough oil by carefully reading the dipstick and that the oil was/is the proper viscosity. Although unlikely, thinner viscosity oil in a high mileage or worn engine may lead to reduced oil pressure, thus triggering the sender/low oil pressure light.
hth
Let's try again
oil change recently, problem shows up.
Find your receipt and look to see what weight oil. As MM says correctly, it is terribly important that a thicker oil be used. Something with a 40 or 50 in the description.
As Chris says, check the oil level. If you're engine is two quarts low, that can cause your problem and others too.
Change oil consequences can be that when the filter assembly was taken off that parts were not assembled correctly. This can cause a by passing of the oil and a loss of pressure , leading to the warning light symtom. Sorry to say, this is a pain to go check, but a necessary evil.
The oil sender on the cylinder head is a switch. They can go bad. they are cheap- about $7 bucks. Make sure the markings on the switch say SW, unless your car has a real oil guage. That sender is larger and has two wires.
Find the sender and check the wire. Clean it if you're so inclined. But with just the ignition switch on take that wire and ground it. If your light goes out, it's not the wire or guage. Replace the $7 buck sender. No, don't wire it to ground- that's not cricket.
Now all the rest aside- if it were me, I would purchase a cheap oil pressure guage at any auto parts store, install it where that sender is and start the car. That's the only way you know for sure what pressure you've got.
:idea:Shadetree approach- open your oil cap. If you see oil squirting around, chances are you don't have an oil pressure problem as that's the last place that get's oil. ( I did say diminished chances.)
oil change recently, problem shows up.
Find your receipt and look to see what weight oil. As MM says correctly, it is terribly important that a thicker oil be used. Something with a 40 or 50 in the description.
As Chris says, check the oil level. If you're engine is two quarts low, that can cause your problem and others too.
Change oil consequences can be that when the filter assembly was taken off that parts were not assembled correctly. This can cause a by passing of the oil and a loss of pressure , leading to the warning light symtom. Sorry to say, this is a pain to go check, but a necessary evil.
The oil sender on the cylinder head is a switch. They can go bad. they are cheap- about $7 bucks. Make sure the markings on the switch say SW, unless your car has a real oil guage. That sender is larger and has two wires.
Find the sender and check the wire. Clean it if you're so inclined. But with just the ignition switch on take that wire and ground it. If your light goes out, it's not the wire or guage. Replace the $7 buck sender. No, don't wire it to ground- that's not cricket.
Now all the rest aside- if it were me, I would purchase a cheap oil pressure guage at any auto parts store, install it where that sender is and start the car. That's the only way you know for sure what pressure you've got.
:idea:Shadetree approach- open your oil cap. If you see oil squirting around, chances are you don't have an oil pressure problem as that's the last place that get's oil. ( I did say diminished chances.)
Honolulu
Well-Known Member
Back in my days of air-cooled VWs, it was not uncommon for a high-mileage engine to have the oil light dimly come on or flicker when the engine was hot. We ignored it then, just noted that there was wear, and maybe kept the idle rpm up a little bit.
But with the BMW, the consequences could be rather more costly. Not will be, could be. So read and follow the excellent advice above and report back. I'd guess that if you can't determine the viscosity of oil in the car, change it and change the filter. From the sound of things, you're not familiar with your engine. The advice you get here, and physical familiarity you get by doing some minor work, will give you perspective, which is a good thing.
But with the BMW, the consequences could be rather more costly. Not will be, could be. So read and follow the excellent advice above and report back. I'd guess that if you can't determine the viscosity of oil in the car, change it and change the filter. From the sound of things, you're not familiar with your engine. The advice you get here, and physical familiarity you get by doing some minor work, will give you perspective, which is a good thing.