Re: 1985 325e oil light

["John Y. Hung" <jhung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Ed,

I had a similar problem with my 1986 325e, coupled with a leaky oil pan.
When I pulled the oil pan off, I decide to clean the oil level switch
(soaked it in gasoline).  There was a lot of crud in the pan, probably due
to a combination of high miles and irregular maintenance by previous owner.
It took a few minutes after I refilled the engine for things to work
correctly again, but I've not had any problems since.

John Hung
Auburn, AL


>Group:
>
>I have a 1985 BMW 325e with an oil light that comes on at the overhead
>console.  It comes on approximately 5 minutes after driving the car.  This
>is not the oil warning light on the dash, but rather the oil light that goes
>through the check system.  The car has 32,000 miles and has always had the
>oil serviced before the required intervals.  I have changed out the battery
>board (old NiCads were corroded) and replaced the oil pressure switch
>($10.00, easy attempt) with no help.  The oil level is full, and I have no
>reason to believe that the pressure is low (i.e., clogged pick-up screen).
>That leaves me to the oil level switch in the pan, or, the wiring.  One BMW
>service rep said that the wiring can get brittle from the heat, but after
>examining the wiring to my pressure switch, I found it to be in perfect
>condition with even the rubber boot being clean and supple.  Have any of you
>had any experience with this, or can you offer any insight?
>
>Thank you,
>
>Ed Fisher
>edwd@domain.elided

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