BMW 1 Series Oil Sensor Issues & Warning Light Mystery

Had the same issue on my 2013 BMW 3 Series diesel. Initially thought it was just the sensor like you, but turned out the wiring harness connecting to the oil level sensor was damaged. The insulation had worn through, causing intermittent connectivity problems and those exact warning lights. Got it sorted at the garage last month. They had to replace the entire wiring harness and connector assembly, not just the sensor. It was a bit tricky as they needed to drop the oil pan to access everything properly. While not a catastrophic problem, it definitely needed immediate attention to prevent any potential engine damage from running with uncertain oil levels. If you're getting multiple warnings simultaneously, it's likely the same electrical connection issue rather than a sensor fault. Just make sure they check the wiring thoroughly when you take it in. The connector pins might also need cleaning or replacement. My advice, get it checked soon. Running with faulty oil monitoring isn't worth the risk to your engine.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Good to know I'm not alone with this issue. Sounds like we had pretty similar symptoms, and the wiring harness explanation makes a lot of sense. By the way, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been working properly since they fixed it, or have you noticed any other issues popping up? Just want to know what I might be in for when I take mine to the shop.

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up since you asked. The total repair only came to 95 €, much cheaper than I expected after all that worry! Turned out it was just a dodgy cable connection to the oil level sensor that needed fixing. The mechanic sorted it out pretty quickly actually. I've had zero problems since the repair, all those annoying warning lights disappeared completely and the oil level readings are working perfectly now. Such a relief! The sensor's giving accurate readings and everything's working just as it should. Looking back, I probably stressed more than I needed to about it. Sometimes these BMW electrical gremlins seem scary but end up being fairly straightforward fixes. Your symptoms sound identical to what I dealt with, so hopefully you'll have the same straightforward solution. Just make sure whoever looks at it checks those connections first before jumping to replace the whole sensor, could save you some cash! Let us know how you get on with yours.

Just got back from the mechanic and wanted to update everyone. Took your advice and found a reputable shop that specializes in BMWs. You were spot on, it was the wiring harness! Had some wear and tear causing those unusual warnings. The mechanic showed me the damaged wiring, and I could actually see where it had worn through. Cost me about 120 € for the complete fix, including labor. They sorted it in about three hours, replaced the worn sections, and cleaned up all the connections. The dashboard is now clear of warnings, and the oil level readings are working perfectly. Such a relief it wasn't anything more serious! Really glad I asked here first, saved me from jumping to conclusions about needing a whole new sensor system. Thanks again for sharing your experience. It really helped me go in there knowing what to expect and ask about. Now I can finally drive without stressing about those warning lights!