Yellow Oil Light Lights Up for 5 seconds.

[tuckster]

Hi all-

Hope you all had a happy holiday season. We're all being drenched out here in Northern California and I'm driving like there's a governor set on the car at 55. Last year I hydroplaned and did a 360 on the freeway from the fast lane all the way to the slow lane, hit nothing, and ended up with nothing but a mild heart attack (or it felt like that). So everyone be careful driving out there.

I do have a question: I have a 2000 323i and recently I took a speed bump a bit faster than I should. It didn't bottom out, but right after that, the yellow oil light came on. It stayed on for about 5 seconds and then turned off after driving a bit.

Since then, everytime I start the engine and drive, it turns on for about 5 seconds then switches off.

There's nothing else abnormal about the car at all in terms of drivability. So what could this be?

I figure I'd tap the expertise I've seen on this board. Thanks.

 

[jonaphn]

it's not raining THAT bad out here, but i would rather it not be raining at all.

is the oil light the only light that is coming on? no SES or check engine?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Hi all-

Hope you all had a happy holiday season. We're all being drenched out here in Northern California and I'm driving like there's a governor set on the car at 55. Last year I hydroplaned and did a 360 on the freeway from the fast lane all the way to the slow lane, hit nothing, and ended up with nothing but a mild heart attack (or it felt like that). So everyone be careful driving out there.

I do have a question: I have a 2000 323i and recently I took a speed bump a bit faster than I should. It didn't bottom out, but right after that, the yellow oil light came on. It stayed on for about 5 seconds and then turned off after driving a bit.

Since then, everytime I start the engine and drive, it turns on for about 5 seconds then switches off.

There's nothing else abnormal about the car at all in terms of drivability. So what could this be?

I figure I'd tap the expertise I've seen on this board. Thanks.

Top off with some synthetic 5w-30 motor oil, the bump likely made the slightly low oil level set off the sensor. There is nothing wrong with it, it just needs a little oil. If the quart of oil does not help, then it might be a bad sensor.

 

[tuckster]

Thanks!

I checked the oil level and it seemed fine. I'll add just a bit just in case. If it doesn't go away, I'll have to assume it's the sensor.

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[eddo]

I have exactly the same problem. No check engine lights, but the yellow oil light comes on for a few seconds everytime after starting the car and just goes away. It's been 2 oil changes and the car is always topped with oil. Just kinda left it since it hasn't caused any issues yet.

 

[tuckster]

Thanks for all the responses. Yes, the rain isn't all that bad. I've been in worst in Texas. But we all forget when we live out here for too long.

To answer your question: no other lights comes on. No Check Engine light. No nothing. It's just the yellow oil light.

I can't figure it out. It's like eddo said - the oil level seems to be fine and it doesn't cause any issues.

 

[Andre]

Tuckster,
Mine will come on occasionally when my oil level is midway between the low and high marks. Half a quart will cure it.

 

[330i and like it]

There has been a recall on the oil light coming on 2001, 330i's, I am sure it covers yrs too

 

[christyles]

oil sensor got jogged.