Oil Warning Light

JaimeC

New member
I have a 2013 C650GT with a shade over 4,000 miles. All service is up to date. Over the past month or so while idling at a traffic light, I've looked down to occasionally see the Oil warning light lit up. The first time I saw that, I panicked and pulled over to the side, made sure I was on level ground, hoisted it up onto its centerstand and checked the oil. The level was fine; precisely between the MIN/MAX marks on the dipstick. I checked it three times to be sure.

Once I putted away, the light never came back on for the rest of the day.

I still see it occasionally. The pattern is always the same: I'll have been riding for awhile, and when I'm sitting at a stop light I'll look down to see the oil light on. The oil level is perfect every time. Once the RPMs come back up, the light goes out and rarely (if ever) comes back on again during that ride.

Has anyone else seen this? It SOUNDS like a "software glitch" but I wanted to see if anyone else has seen this behavior.
 
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justscootin

Member
I noticed you said that you put it on the side stand. You should check it on the center stand. Also at idle you dash tire pressure censor system will change over to oil and it should read ok as mine does.
 

JaimeC

New member
I was THINKING "Centerstand" but for some reason typed "Sidestand."

In any event, people generally don't HOIST a bike up onto it's sidestand. I'll edit that to avoid confusion.

In any event, it's not the oil display I'm seeing. It's the bright yellow warning triangle with the word "OIL" appearing in the display. I normally display the ambient temperature when I'm riding.
 

trekguy

New member
At 8100 miles, and all up-to-date service by the dealer, mine does the exact same thing. I once brought it in to my dealers service dept. and the tech who did my first oil change ($$$) checked it out and said the oil was exactly in the middle of add and full. He said he would send BMW an email to see if it is a software glitch, and I have not herd anything since. Its running fine.
 

JaimeC

New member
Glad I'm not the only one, then. Let me know if you hear anything because I'd hate for the light to actually signal a problem and I'd gotten into the habit of ignoring it...
 

FloridianRobert

New member
Jaime,

I have 2,700 miles on my 650GT and I have experienced the same issue. When idling, the warning triangle will illuminate yellow and the screen will show "oil pressure low". (At least, I believe this is the verbiage as I am doing this from memory on a Monday morning...) I too checked the oil and found in within normal range. It must have something to do with a sensor tripping in periods of low rpm's. My dealer was unaware of the problem and told me to check back with them during the next service period as there might be more information on this issue.

So far, so good but the lights do come on sporadically during times of idling.
 

Skutorr

Active member
Oil pressure warning lights come on when pressure drops below the MINIMUM for safe riding. At idle there is essentially no load on the motor, but for the light to come on is disconcerting to say the least. Your multi-grade that you are running is a 10w-40, if I remember correctly. That's a 10-weight oil stock with viscosity stabilizers added to allow it to maintain oil pressure under high-heat conditions "as if" it were a straight 40 wt. oil.

WELL BEFORE your oil change interval is reached, the additives have begun to break-down, or have completely done so. Therefore, your oil has reverted to acting like a straight 10 wt. That's for MID WINTER USE in a cold climate; you oil is just a step above the viscosity of WATER and your idle pressure is LOW!

The Cure? ALWAYS run a PREMIUM multi-grade with the better additive package; I'd do a 15W-50 semi-synthetic MOTUL. Acts like a 50-wt HOT, flows like a 15-wt cold.
 

JaimeC

New member
Actually, we're running (if we're following BMW's specification which is rather explicit) 15w-50 oil...
 

bill steele

New member
If your running there Castrol oil it breaks down quickly Vs. Dino oil or the synthetic blend I agree with Skutoor about the Motul oil blend it is one of the best oils out there I have used the Motul oil with great results. The Castrol oils have a problem with sludge in engines
 

FloridianRobert

New member
Oil pressure warning lights come on when pressure drops below the MINIMUM for safe riding. At idle there is essentially no load on the motor, but for the light to come on is disconcerting to say the least. Your multi-grade that you are running is a 10w-40, if I remember correctly. That's a 10-weight oil stock with viscosity stabilizers added to allow it to maintain oil pressure under high-heat conditions "as if" it were a straight 40 wt. oil.

WELL BEFORE your oil change interval is reached, the additives have begun to break-down, or have completely done so. Therefore, your oil has reverted to acting like a straight 10 wt. That's for MID WINTER USE in a cold climate; you oil is just a step above the viscosity of WATER and your idle pressure is LOW!

The Cure? ALWAYS run a PREMIUM multi-grade with the better additive package; I'd do a 15W-50 semi-synthetic MOTUL. Acts like a 50-wt HOT, flows like a 15-wt cold.

Skutorr, thanks for the great advice. I hadn't thought about this issue from the approach you gave it. To be honest, I am not all that well versed in engines and mechanics. I'm thankful for those of you that are! I will be draining what is in there and trying this Motul 15W-50. Thanks to all of you for being consistent with your advice and comments.
 

JaimeC

New member
I think I've discovered the pattern that recreates this problem at will. Take the scooter for a nice long ride. Park it. Let it sit for approximately one half hour, then fire it up and go for another ride. Every time I've followed this pattern, the oil light will come on the upon the second ride frequently when I'm idling at a traffic light.

For some strange reason, it does not happen during the first ride of the day. And if the scooter has been sitting in the office parking lot for several hours, it doesn't happen. But if the scooter is parked for approximately one half hour (about the time it takes to eat lunch at a fast food restaurant, for example), it happens almost every time. The light will go out as soon as the revs climb when you pull away from the stop.
 

JaimeC

New member
It's the BMW oil, and it's done this pretty much from Day 1 (even right after the 600 mile oil change).
 

bill steele

New member
I would try different oil and filter and see what happens, if you still have the same problem than have them change the pressure sensor and also check the oil pump.
 

JaimeC

New member
It's still under warranty. I'm just going to have them check it at the 6K service. Why spend money if I don't have to?
 

Dale

New member
When I got my GT I had 120 miles the first 120 miles to get home and I was riding as if I stole It. After I got home every time I would stop the light would come on or flicker. Quantity was good I would have it looked at during the 600. I have had experience with the sensor failing in BMW cars.

Had the shop check the sensor and wiring no problem noted, the oil was changed to Amsoil 10W-40, 3k plus miles and the light has not returned or flickered so what Skutor and bill steele are saying may be true. I do not have much faith in Castrol dino juice.
 

qualt

New member
Well it appears that BMW has not corrected the problem yet.

Last week I bought a 2014 C 650 GT and while on a ride today the same thing happened to me. A yellow warning triangle with the word "OIL" appearing in the display. The bike has 180 miles on it and also all of the same fluids it came with from the dealer, therefore I doubt if the oil is the wrong type or viscosity.

The light came on at the end of a warm day (75 deg), mostly non-stop 80 mile ride so the oil was well up to operating temperature. I had just descended a long 5 mile grade and was sitting at a traffic light for a few (maybe two) minutes.

I also checked the oil level on the center stand and it was fine, 1/2 way between full and add.

Therefore, whatever was causing the problem has not been corrected on the 2014 models yet.

I will try to contact the local dealer tomorrow (BMW San Diego) and post what they tell me.
 
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SteveADV

Active member
The oil sensor is obviously extremely sensitive. Did not see the warning after my 600 mile check. Had a different dealer do my next oil change and did see it after that. Rev the engine and it disappeared. 700 miles later I do not see it at all. Oil level has always been ok. I guess I would rather have it overly sensitive than not sensitive enough. Maybe BMW feels the same way.
 

Scorpion56

Member
That's exactly what happened to me today. My 650GT now has 350 miles on it. I was at a light after being on the bike for an hour and saw the light. Like you, I pulled off to the side and checked it. Like yours, the oil level was about 60% of the way "between the lines". The light went out immediately before I even got off the road to check, and at the next stop a few miles later, I checked the oil on the instrument panel and got an OK. Just for good measure, I "topped off" the oil while the engine was still warm. I was on a slight incline when at the light but there was obviously enough oil in the bike. So far, I've loved riding this new bike, but it's going to have to earn my trust.
 

qualt

New member
I can live with it if I know it is a common false alarm and it really isn't caused by a true mechanical problem. And yes I too would rather it be overly sensitive than not sensitive enough. Moreover, if we can turn the warning light off by just revving the engine slightly than it is even more tolerable.

On the other hand, since BMW is suppose to be a premium motorcycle company then they should correct the malfunction..........although our engines aren't made by BMW they are made in China; ok, ok, Taiwan. And to be fair, yes Taiwan does make some pretty good quality stuff.
 
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