Instruments - No Crank Caused by Faulty Oil Level Sensor

Group 12
Engine Electrical Systems

Bulletin Number
12 06 98

Woodcliff Lake, NJ
January 1999
Product Engineering

This Service Information bulletin supersedes S.I. 12 06 98 dated October 1998 which should be removed and discarded from your S.I. binder. This supersession adds E46 vehicles.

Changes to this revision are identified by asterisks.

SUBJECT:
No Start Caused by Faulty Oil Level Switch

* MODEL:
E39 (5 Series) with M52 engine, E46 (3 Series) Vehicles up to 11/98

Complaint:
The vehicle will not start (no crank). In addition the following may be observed: No transmission range display in the Instrument Cluster.

Charge indicator lamp flickers, or is permanently on.

Fault code 11 (Oil level switch) is stored in the Instrument Cluster (E46) Fuse 15 (E39) or fuse 30 (E46) is blown.

Cause:
A faulty oil level switch causes the fuse to blow, resulting in a loss of input to EWS from the Transmission Range Switch. Improved oil level switches were introduced into series production, November 1998. *

* Procedure:
Check fuse 15 (E39) or fuse 30 (E46). If blown, install a new fuse (7.5A), switch on the ignition and attempt to start the engine. *

If the fuse again blows, disconnect the Oil Level Switch at the plug connector.

Install new fuse, and attempt to start the engine.

If the engine starts, and the range display is restored in the Instrument Cluster, replace the Oil Level Switch. Refer to Repair Instruction 12 61 285.

Note:
To confirm a defective switch, use a DVM and check the resistance between the pins of the 3 pin connector. A good switch measures infinite resistance (Open circuit) between any 2 pins in the connector.

* Parts Information:

Part Number Description Qty

12 611 433 509 Oil Level Switch (E39) 1
12 611 433 596 Oil Level Switch (E46) 1 *

Warranty Information:
Reimbursable under the terms of the BMW New Car Limited Warranty.

Detect Code: 12 61 92 12 00

Labor Operation: Replacing engine oil level switch

Labor Operation Labor Allowance

* Main Work 1261 285 6 FRU(E39) 7 FRU(E46)

Associated Work +1261585 4 FRU(E39) 5 FRU(E46) *

Note:
The following explanations will spell out the correct use of the work times.

Main Work:
Use this labor operation number when the only repair performed is the listed warranty repair.

OR

+Associated Work:
Use this labor operation number when other repairs or services are performed along with the listed warranty repair.

Under no circumstances should both labor operation numbers be claimed.

Attempts to claim both times will result in an unnecessary delay in claim processing and payment.