BMW Oil Level Sensor Reset. Will It Help Solve the Issues?

BMW is one of the brands that truly represents the best in German car engineering. Its cars are known for their luxurious design, good performance, and top-of-the-line tech. However, for people new to its products, its advanced features can sometimes be hard to figure out at first, especially if they are already exhibiting some signs of problems such as those related to the oil level sensor.

Engine sensors problems highlights

• DIY repairs:possible
• Tools needed:scanner,basictools
• Commonreasons:sensor problems, electric supply issues, software glitches
• Time to repair:1 - 2.5 hours
• Price for parts:$50 - $250
• Can you drive?In most cases, yes
• Alternative solutions:bypassing, driving in limp mode, roadside assistance

Check the Oil Level and Quality First

Before anything else, let us address the primary reason why there is an oil level warning in your dashboard in the first place. Basically, this indicates that the engine oil of your BMW car is already below the recommended limit. Therefore, you should make sure that it is filled within the acceptable level using the recommended oil by its manufacturer.

See to it that the oil is also changed within the recommended intervals of its maker. This is to ensure that it is free from debris or contamination that can negatively affect its viscosity. Doing so will allow it to lubricate all the moving parts of your auto effectively.

You can use the oil dipstick to check the level and quality of your oil, which should only take you a minute or two. Ideally, it should be near but not over the maximum marking. If it's close to the minimum marking or below it, that's a sign that it should be refilled.

Likewise, pay close attention to the quality of the oil in the dipstick. If it looks too dark, too thick, and it is emitting a strong smell that can be likened to rotting cheese, that's an indication that you should have the oil in your reservoir changed with a fresh batch.

Ways of Resetting the Oil Level Sensor

If the oil level in your Bimmer is within the acceptable limit and quality, yet you are still getting the oil level warning in your dash, then it's time to try resetting the oil level sensor. Here is a quick rundown of the steps needed to do this:

1. Using the BC Button

The easiest way to reset your oil level sensor is through the BC (Board Computer) button found in the turn signal lever of your BMW. Here's how you can go around the problem:

• Make sure your car is parked on an even surface and turn off its engine.
• Locate the BC button in your turn signal lever. It is positioned at the tip of the lever with the appropriate marking.
• Press and hold the BC button while turning on the ignition with your car key. Do not turn it all the way up to prevent the engine from starting. If your BMW is equipped with a push-to-start feature, press only the start button and avoid engaging the brake pedal so your engine will not crank.
• Continue holding the button until the message "Oil Level Reset" appears on your screen.
• Confirm your action using the BC button if you are prompted to do so.
• Release the button and turn off the ignition.

This is a quick remedy if the problem is limited to a minor glitch in the system of your car. However, if the problem persists, then proceed with the other methods listed in the next parts of this list.

2. Shutting the Power Supply of the Battery

Disconnecting the battery in old BMW models, particularly those produced before 2005, can effectively reset its onboard diagnostic system. This is a great way to clear any errors in its dashboard if there are no other factors causing them apart from a glitch in the system.

Cars made after 2005 or those fitted with more advanced onboard computers are already capable of storing data even when the power supply has been completely cut off. Therefore, the error will likely remain even after reconnecting the battery, and this will only leave the various configurations in the electrical devices in your vehicle going back into their default configurations. Nonetheless, it's still worth a shot with no other alternatives at hand.

Here's how you can do this:

• While your vehicle is parked and the engine is off, detach the negative (-) and positive (+) cables of your battery in this given order. Starting with the positive cable might result in battery arcing or sparks that may trigger a fire in your engine bay.
• Keep it that way for at least 15 minutes but no longer than 30 minutes.
• To effectively drain the remaining electrical charge going around the system of your vehicle, you can also utilize a jumper cable to connect the battery cables.
• Reconnect the battery cables after the recommended time has lapsed.
• Turn on the ignition of your vehicle until the indicators in its dashboard are lit, and turn it off once more.
• Restart your engine and the oil warning should be gone by now.
• Let your car idle for at least 15 minutes and observe if the problem reappears.

3. Using an OBDII Scanner

If you have a fault code activating the oil level sensor warning, resetting it should not be too difficult with an OBDII scanner. For you to successfully complete the process, just refer to your device's manual or follow the prompts it gives you along the way.

The procedure depends on the model and brand of your device. Luckily, newer models of these products tend to be more user-friendly nowadays than the older ones, so it should not be rocket science to operate them.

Do note that this solution only applies if the error in your dashboard cannot be explained by anything other than a minor glitch in your car's computer or a fault code that just won't go away.

4. ECU Flashing

When all the alternatives enumerated here have proven to be futile, you might want to consider having your engine control unit (ECU) reflashed. This is a last-ditch effort to tackle any software-related problems that may be falsely activating the various oil-level warnings in the dash.

This is a more complex method that should only be turned to if you have access to a computer with compatible ECU software for your BMW and the technical know-how to comprehend its basic operation.

If All Else Fails...

When you have tried every remedy listed above yet the problem persists, then there may be other factors that are responsible for the oil level sensor warning in your system. The most likely scenarios that you can expect from here are leaks and damage in the sensor itself.

The oil level sensor is a critical component in BMW cars. It is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the correct oil level in the engine. This is important because the engine needs the right amount of oil to function properly. Too much or too little oil can cause serious damage to the engine.

The symptoms of an oil level sensor problem include the oil level warning, the check engine light turning on, the oil pressure light turning on, and the car's engine stalling. If this is not addressed immediately, more serious problems can occur, such as engine damage.

If the oil level is constantly low, the mechanic will have to check for leaks. Once the source of the leak is detected, which is usually found in the hoses, oil lines, gasket, and seals, it may either be repaired by simply applying a new seal or gasket. If the damage is severe, the hoses and oil lines will have to be changed, too.

Likewise, if the issue is with the sensor itself, then it should either be cleaned if it's just dirt build-up preventing its proper operation or replaced if the part has already been damaged beyond repair. It's a good idea to check the quality of its wirings and connectors as well to ensure that it is getting enough power supply to support its function.

Furthermore, the charging system of the car, composed of the battery, alternator, and voltage regulator, should be evaluated for possible faults that may be affecting the sensors. If any of them is already malfunctioning, then you may likely have to replace the problematic part.

In some cases, parts of the engine may need to be replaced if they have been damaged beyond repair by mechanical or electrical problems caused by the faulty operation of the oil level sensor.

Conclusion

The oil level sensor is a common source of error codes in BMW cars. By resetting it through the BC button, you can often clear these error codes on the go and keep your car running smoothly again in no time.

If that fails, proceed with the other methods shown here. However, if the problem persists, be sure to bring your car to a mechanic or BMW service center for immediate diagnosis and repairs because there might be a more serious mechanical or electrical issue triggering the problem.