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Help with chin scratcher
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- Newbie
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- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:39 pm
Help with chin scratcher
Hello everybody. Been a lurker on this forum for a while, and enjoy it almost as I enjoy the car.. Thought it was time for my first post. Please excuse the story leading up to the question. (or just skip to bottom)
I've had the car almost 3 years now and I recently rediscovered something that kind of gave me pause when I first bought the car. When I found the car listed I immediately fell in love. Called to schedule a drive that day. The drive was great, no noticeable issues, sounded amazing, all the little things worked. But me being the "there is always a catch" kinda guy I gave the car a good visual inspection, and upon opening the hood I immediately noticed a broken wire in the area right next to the oil filter housing, well, on it specifically. (this is on a 35si) The dealership was great and immediately took it to the shop to fix the wire, while they verified with my bank. They brought the car back from the shop and I checked it again and they fixed the wire in question. At this point I was excited and anxious for many reasons, (it was a rough week anyway, and was in a big city, got lost on the way to the dealership, not looking forward to drive home) so didn't look THAT close as to what the wire went to. Been happy with the car all this time, no issues other than dead battery that was original with the car back in 2011.
Now flash forward three years. My brother-in-law pasted away last year, and has always done my oil change for me. (I've always been panicky under a car, but with the Z4 more so, as it sits so low.) Anyway, I found a set of ramps that the Z4 can actually drive up and that I feel comfortable to get under, I hate jacks. Well, when I got to the oil filter I noticed and remembered the wire. Curious I looked a little closer to see where and what it goes to. It appears to go to some sensor, possibly oil pressure? Now what puzzles me is that almost every sensor I have ever seen has at least two wire leads to it, possibly more. Upon closer inspection the back of the connector looks to have had the spot for two wires, but there is no evidence there was ever a second wire that had broken off, nor did I find any broken wire further back in the engine bay. And even more strangely thinking back on it, if it was indeed oil related there was never a check engine or oil light during my 30min+ test drive when I first bought the car, so it must not be critically important.
Does anyone know what specifically this is for? Is it / has always been a single wire? Is it grounded through the engine some how?
I've had the car almost 3 years now and I recently rediscovered something that kind of gave me pause when I first bought the car. When I found the car listed I immediately fell in love. Called to schedule a drive that day. The drive was great, no noticeable issues, sounded amazing, all the little things worked. But me being the "there is always a catch" kinda guy I gave the car a good visual inspection, and upon opening the hood I immediately noticed a broken wire in the area right next to the oil filter housing, well, on it specifically. (this is on a 35si) The dealership was great and immediately took it to the shop to fix the wire, while they verified with my bank. They brought the car back from the shop and I checked it again and they fixed the wire in question. At this point I was excited and anxious for many reasons, (it was a rough week anyway, and was in a big city, got lost on the way to the dealership, not looking forward to drive home) so didn't look THAT close as to what the wire went to. Been happy with the car all this time, no issues other than dead battery that was original with the car back in 2011.
Now flash forward three years. My brother-in-law pasted away last year, and has always done my oil change for me. (I've always been panicky under a car, but with the Z4 more so, as it sits so low.) Anyway, I found a set of ramps that the Z4 can actually drive up and that I feel comfortable to get under, I hate jacks. Well, when I got to the oil filter I noticed and remembered the wire. Curious I looked a little closer to see where and what it goes to. It appears to go to some sensor, possibly oil pressure? Now what puzzles me is that almost every sensor I have ever seen has at least two wire leads to it, possibly more. Upon closer inspection the back of the connector looks to have had the spot for two wires, but there is no evidence there was ever a second wire that had broken off, nor did I find any broken wire further back in the engine bay. And even more strangely thinking back on it, if it was indeed oil related there was never a check engine or oil light during my 30min+ test drive when I first bought the car, so it must not be critically important.
Does anyone know what specifically this is for? Is it / has always been a single wire? Is it grounded through the engine some how?
- tintoverano
- Member
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- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:33 pm
Help with chin scratcher
oil pressure sensor, just one yellow wire to the DME, see below
you seem to be safe
you seem to be safe
mSport 23i
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
- tintoverano
- Member
- Posts: 666
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:33 pm
Help with chin scratcher
from here
mSport 23i
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
Help with chin scratcher
I would assume a generic connector has been used, but in this case the circuit is completed by earthing through the body?
- tintoverano
- Member
- Posts: 666
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2019 4:33 pm
Help with chin scratcher
if I understand the drawing correctly (I'm not qualified), the sensor opens the circuit when conditions are met, and then the connecting transistor emits an ON signal
the open circuit thingy doesn't need ground, I guess
the open circuit thingy doesn't need ground, I guess
mSport 23i
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
Coding Help, Stubby, Remap, K&N filter, Cruise Ctrl, Reverse cam, Instrument Cluster Color, UR front brace, CDV delete, Android on CIC, Roof Module, LSD
- MACK
- Lifer
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- Location: Manchester
Help with chin scratcher
+1
This would be my interpretation aswell
Silver 05 3.0i SE
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)
White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)
Mods inc - F/L Xenons Clear Ind Rear Lights M Sport Seats & Wheel Eibach/B4 3.64 DIFF (SOLD)
White E89 20i M Sport
Mods inc- B12 kit, M3 Arms, 18" Zito 935's with PS4's, Decat & Remap, Switchable Exhaust Flap (SOLD)
- Stevepj
- Member
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2016 12:15 pm
- Location: Stockport
Help with chin scratcher
The sender earth's through the engine block and it's earthing connections.
Turn on the ignition and power is supplied through DME, warning light etc to the sender where the contacts are closed making a circuit and the oil pressure warning light will be illuminated.
Start the engine and oil under pressure enters the sensor, opens the contacts and the light goes out.
Basically it's an on/off switch for the oil pressure light.
Turn on the ignition and power is supplied through DME, warning light etc to the sender where the contacts are closed making a circuit and the oil pressure warning light will be illuminated.
Start the engine and oil under pressure enters the sensor, opens the contacts and the light goes out.
Basically it's an on/off switch for the oil pressure light.
So this is where I write about the car? 2003 E85 2.5i, sterling grey, red leather, 106s with Goodyear Eagle F1s, factory xenons, folding mirrors, cup holders, retrofit cruise control, Bilstein B4's all round. And a whippy!
- Crazy Harry
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 12:32 pm
- Location: Breckland Norfolk
Help with chin scratcher
Here we go - back to school physics. It doesn't matter if the switch is before or after the lamp the circuit still works.
In this example the power goes from the + volts (positive) side of the battery; through the lamp; then to the sensor then to the engine which is the 0 volts (negative) side of the circuit and is connected back to the 0 volts terminal of the battery. With no oil pressure the switch is closed and the lamps lights. Start the engine the oil pressure pushes the switch, the circuit is broken and the lamp goes out. Saves a lot of wires when the engine/ bodywork act as the return leg!
In this example the power goes from the + volts (positive) side of the battery; through the lamp; then to the sensor then to the engine which is the 0 volts (negative) side of the circuit and is connected back to the 0 volts terminal of the battery. With no oil pressure the switch is closed and the lamps lights. Start the engine the oil pressure pushes the switch, the circuit is broken and the lamp goes out. Saves a lot of wires when the engine/ bodywork act as the return leg!
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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Help with chin scratcher
There are a lot of people violently agreeing on this thread
Must be bringing us all back to 'earth'.
Must be bringing us all back to 'earth'.
- buzyg
- Legend
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Help with chin scratcher
Someone get me a shovel.
Welcome to the forum OP, hope we havn't scared you off just yet.
- Crazy Harry
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- Smartbear
- Lifer
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- Location: a barn in Somerset
Help with chin scratcher
I thought he was a little shortCrazy Harry wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:54 pmI see what you there - nice little electric pun to get us all connected.
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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Help with chin scratcher
Watt?Smartbear wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2020 2:25 pmI thought he was a little shortCrazy Harry wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2020 12:54 pmI see what you there - nice little electric pun to get us all connected.
Rob
- buzyg
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Help with chin scratcher
Sorry but a I just can,t can't Resist a reply to that one. I think that is Ample for now.
Ohm my lord there must be a law against this kind of stuff.
- Smartbear
- Lifer
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- Location: a barn in Somerset
Help with chin scratcher
I think it’s megga
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold