Gauge cluster light

[e30_steve]

My car has a light that is on all the time! I believe this is the engine oil service light. See image below.

I have checked my oil level and recently changed the oil. The light is permenently suck on. It has been draining my battery and driving me nuts.

Can anyone provide any insight as to why this light is stuck on?

Thanks

[AndrewBird]

Yes, that is the service indicator. As time goes on, the lights will progressively turn on until into the red, indicating it's time to change the oil.

I'm not sure why yours stays on constantly. It should turn off with the ignition. You might try resetting it and see if it turns it off. See here for how:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/sil.html

[e30_steve]

Ok thanks, I will try the reset tomorrow and see if that helps. Ya can't see the logic as to why the light is always on, even with the ignition switched off.

[Gregs///M]

The lights staying illuminated is sure sign of failing/dying SI board batteries.

[e30_steve]

Thanks, so can I just replace the batteries? Is this fairly easy to do? Or do I replace the whole Si board? I've seen you sell refurbished board on eBay.

[efficient]

sorry to thread jack but i just recently got my new si board re soldered by a member on here, replaced fuses like 10,12,21 and also replaced the light bulbs on the cluster but the bottom left side of my cluster still doesn't turn on just the brake lining and oil light come on . btw also my gas light doesnt turn on. any suggestions?

Untitled by clean3two3, on Flickr

Untitled by clean3two3, on Flickr

[Gregs///M]

This many illumination issues on one side, with new fuses and bulbs, is most likely failed solder joints or electrical trace cracks on the cluster main board. The main board is the one sandwiched between the two casings of the cluster.