Checking oil level with bimmerlink

Hi folks ! I'm wondering how to check engine oil level with my bimmerlink app since my oil pan drain plug is stripped and some oil is dripping from it. I have an E92 M3 since last week and i'm still unable to read the oil level with the BC button. A clock appears for a couple of secs and then disappear even if i'm on a leveled surface with operating température. I've tried almost everything lol. Thanks a lot guys i appreciate your help !

Personally I would drain all oil (both sumps/drain plugs) and fill with new, to make sure it has a proper amount, and then secondly start to work with the sensor issue.

Good luck!

You can check your static oil level with INPA. Pretty awesome when doing oil changes and knowing the exact amount.

At any rate, you could have an issue with the sensor itself or other items on the bus.
Good luck.

Thanks a lot my friend ! My dad told me that he has ISTA ! I will check with this software since my bimmerlink app is kind of limitated !

INPA...not ISTA.

I haven't found the routine yet in ISTA. Doesn't mean that it doesn't exist...just sometimes it's buried. Maybe it's in there.

Good thanks ! I saw that we can read the oil level with ISTA too ! If it doesn't work i'll try with INPA !

Maxgre1987 wrote

Good thanks ! I saw that we can read the oil level with ISTA too ! If it doesn't work i'll try with INPA !

I'll need to dig into this some more. I tried searching and couldn't find it initially. But if you say it exist in ISTA...then i'll def need to investigate that more!

I haven't checked my M3's oil level with Bimmerlink, but AI says it's possible:

Connect your OBD adapter, navigate to the Dashboard/Sensor Values tab, and add "Engine Oil Level" to your live gauges. The app will display your raw, unfiltered oil level in millimeters (typically ranging between 70 mm and 95 mm, depending on your specific engine).

Thanks you very much guys i appreciate it !

RocketyMan wrote

You can check your static oil level with INPA. Pretty awesome when doing oil changes and knowing the exact amount.

At any rate, you could have an issue with the sensor itself or other items on the bus.
Good luck.

Can you tell me the exact path in INPA to see those oil level values please ! I've downloaded the version 5.0.6 since ISTA is way too demanding regardless of my laptop.

Thanks man !

Surely Ista (as well as other apps) must take the level from the (same) sensor hence you'd still have an issue reading.
Reading with an extarnal meeter (for instance tryed Carly) gives a faster reading from the sensor while the cars system wants to joggle it around for a bit.

Maxgre1987 wrote

Can you tell me the exact path in INPA to see those oil level values please ! I've downloaded the version 5.0.6 since ISTA is way too demanding regardless of my laptop.

Thanks man !

Yeah I can. I took screenshots on my laptop and I can post a walkthru to help you out.

Helmsman wrote

Surely Ista (as well as other apps) must take the level from the (same) sensor hence you'd still have an issue reading.
Reading with an extarnal meeter (for instance tryed Carly) gives a faster reading from the sensor while the cars system wants to joggle it around for a bit.

Not sure what you mean by this.

INPA has capability to read this info from the DME--it's no problem. ISTA might have it, I just haven't found it yet if it exist.

RocketyMan wrote

Not sure what you mean by this.

INPA has capability to read this info from the DME--it's no problem. ISTA might have it, I just haven't found it yet if it exist.

Still the same level sensor in the end of the line, or is there any other way to fetch that data?

Helmsman wrote

Still the same level sensor in the end of the line, or is there any other way to fetch that data?

The oil level sensor is connected to the DME via the LIN bus.
Power, ground, bit-serial-data.

Since this is not an OBD requirement, it only makes sense that proprietary software is used to evaluate it.

(I think this is what you mean to ask.)

RocketyMan wrote

The oil level sensor is connected to the DME via the LIN bus.
Power, ground, bit-serial-data.

Since this is not an OBD requirement, it only makes sense that proprietary software is used to evaluate it.

(I think this is what you mean to ask.)

Cheers mate. Didn't wonder about anything really but suggested to the OP that regardless what tool used to measure the oil level (incl via DME) the only sensor available to fetch data from is the one oil sensor. Which led me to suggest drain and fill to ensure there is proper amount of oil should he not be able to get a trust worthy reading.

Helmsman wrote

Cheers mate. Didn't wonder about anything really but suggested to the OP that regardless what tool used to measure the oil level (incl via DME) the only sensor available to fetch data from is the one oil sensor. Which led me to suggest drain and fill to ensure there is proper amount of oil should he not be able to get a trust worthy reading.

Oh yeah. I see.

Yeah the DME is the only module that broadcasts this message.

But good point. When I completely drain the oil from my car and fill to exactly 9.5 quarts, I can see this without starting the car. I'll post my How-to for the OP soon.

OP, here is my DIY write up checking this via INPA.

https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=32895713#post32895713

Fantastic thanks a lot ! I've found out that my engine is overfilled by a little.

A Little update here ! I'm still unable to read my oil level with the BC. Even with the oil temperature at 90° car sitting on a leveled surface in neutral. The clock is always turning for a couple of secs and always disappear after. Interesting fact is that with INPA all my values are OK. And the oil level fluctuates among conditions. There's a communication for sure between the DME and the oil sensor. My oil level is more than fine though. At least i know that i'm not in a lack of oil. But it's kinda weird.

Maxgre1987 wrote

A Little update here ! I'm still unable to read my oil level with the BC. Even with the oil temperature at 90° car sitting on a leveled surface in neutral. The clock is always turning for a couple of secs and always disappear after. Interesting fact is that with INPA all my values are OK. And the oil level fluctuates among conditions. There's a communication for sure between the DME and the oil sensor. My oil level is more than fine though. At least i know that i'm not in a lack of oil. But it's kinda weird.

I did find a way to view the oil level via ISTA. It's not as glamorous as INPA, imo. But it will work. So I'll need to update my DIY.

In your case, since the sensor is on the BSD/LIN system of the DME, I would suggest investigating the other items on that network. I would think there is potential that if one of the other components isn't functioning properly that it could compromise the oil level sensor as well.
It might be worth disconnecting the single alternator wire and/or the IBS wire. Isolate the network to see if the reading will come thru the KOMBI.

RocketyMan wrote

I did find a way to view the oil level via ISTA. It's not as glamorous as INPA, imo. But it will work. So I'll need to update my DIY.

In your case, since the sensor is on the BSD/LIN system of the DME, I would suggest investigating the other items on that network. I would think there is potential that if one of the other components isn't functioning properly that it could compromise the oil level sensor as well.
It might be worth disconnecting the single alternator wire and/or the IBS wire. Isolate the network to see if the reading will come thru the KOMBI.

I know i can check with INPA if the communication between the Kombi and the DME is fine.I also know that the sensor separatly reads the oil level and the corrected level when hot. I'm Glad i have INPA cause i would not know how much oil is the engine. The oil change was perform 1 month ago.