Question

Gil,

2002 E39 530i automatic. 180k miles.

I have the oil pressure checked with a pressure gauge and it is 58 psi(w/in specs). I have change the following 1) pressure gauge 2) oil level sensor and 3) cleaned IDC valve.

Warning light comes on when the RPM is <1000, goes away if the RPM is 1500 or more. I’ve put the shifter to neutral and stepped on the accelerator and the light goes away(RPM increased to >1500). I could have an oil pump problem but the way it behaves it looks like a sensor/connection problem??

Which is my next question, should I take out the intake manifold and expose the wiring and connector to the pressure gauge? Is there any less cumbersome way to check this wiring?

Bently manual says check wire all the way to dash board. Which I find mind-boggling.

This E39 lover wants to know.

Vic Taasan, MD

Answer

Hello Mr. Taasan, I have a few follow-up questions, is that measurement taken from the port where the oil pressure sender is located? Also, is it with the engine at idle and the engine at operating temperature? What kind and grade of oil are you using, it has to be synthetic 5W40, if you use 5W30 it can cause an issue. The Bentley manual is correct, if there is an issue with the wire the only way to test it is to do a continuity test between both ends of the wire.

Here are a few things to check. Make sure that the inside of the oil filter housing (where the oil filter goes) is clean and has no remnants of old oil filters. Also make sure that the oil filter housing cap has no cracks, the seal is good, it should be replaced every oil change, and that the inner post, the part that the center of the oil filter fits around is not damaged or missing.

What are the oil change intervals that you have been using? Time and mileage, please. Have you seen the oil when the oil change is done? I’m wondering you there are metal shavings in the oil. Please let me know and I can assist you further. Thank you.

Gil Neves