Oil level sensor - How to replace molded plug

[Just Scott]

The male plug of my oil level sensor completely disintegrated.

So I pulled one out of a junkyard car and it did exactly the same thing. Every time I touched it to clean it up before installing, more pieces of the plug fell off. It is now pretty much useless too.

Options I see:

1. Its a molded plug, so I don't see replacing it with a stock piece. Some say you can find them from Mouser, but not when I contacted them.
2. The replacement part is at least $122 from BMS - which is crazy.
3. Another option is to cut the plug and harness and wire in an aftermarket weatherpack or similar connector.
4. Or I could just jam the male wires into the plug and wrap the thing with electrical tape.

What do you think?

[Mr. Burns]

what do you mean disintegrated?
they parts can be brittle, are you sure you're removing the plug properly?

[AndrewBird]

Get the part number from here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1113&mospid=47309&btnr=12_1512&hg=12&fg=31

And order one from the dealer. Should be #3 I believe.

[Just Scott]

Definitely removing the plug correctly

The plugs apparently get brittle with age. The one in my car now had nothing left, just the pins hanging out of the harness side connector.

I'll look into that part posted, gotta have the 3-pin male side to work.

Thanks

[Just Scott]

Found this on EFI express for $12.50 plus shipping.

If you are careful, you won't need to use the crimps. Carefully break the old plug apart with a pair of pliers or something and reuse the crimps after you bend the lock tabs up a bit.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner

[Just Scott]

Received and installed this plug tonight in about 20 minutes.

The steps are pretty easy

1. Finish removing the old molded plug from the wire ends - leave the factory crimps in place
2. Pull off old boot
3. Lubricate the inside of the boot with some dish soap and insert a tube - I used a bic pen body
4. Thread the wire end into the tube and slide the boot on
5. Slide the wire seals over the factory crimp connectors
6. Make sure the crimp connector lock tabs are pushed out
7. Orient the wires in the correct order
8. Push the wires into the new housing until they click
9. Push the wire seals up into the new plug
10. Push the new boot up onto the plug
11. smile....

[wojtek79]

I must have removed close to 50+ oil pans since I have been dealing with BMW's and have never had that happen to me.

[Just Scott]

All three in my possession are like this. Parts car, daily driver and the junkyard part.

Must be a southern thing.

[benyen soljax]

Found this on EFI express for $12.50 plus shipping.

If you are careful, you won't need to use the crimps. Carefully break the old plug apart with a pair of pliers or something and reuse the crimps after you bend the lock tabs up a bit.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner

This is a lifesaver! My 22 year old electrical connectors disintegrate when you look at them, and then I looked at the price of a new sensor :shock:

I will be taking this rebuild boot and doing it myself thanks.

[Jdesign]

I just did the pan gasket on mine, same thing, crumbled to bits! Glad to know I don't need a whole new sensor!

[benyen soljax]

does anyone know what the wire colors were for each pin on the sensor side? My connector fell apart before i could see which wire was for which pin :(

[fitswell]

hope this helps someone

[fitswell]

Last night I found the sensor side male connector had disintegrated on my late model. Although this connector is used at TPS and near the diagnostic plug, neither of those make good candidates for a transplant. Now the sensor is $250 - ouch!

[shawshankNG]

Get the part number from here:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=1113&mospid=47309&btnr=12_1512&hg=12&fg=31

And order one from the dealer. Should be #3 I believe.

This is the female part.
The male part is being a pain in the ass to find.

Mine broke too.

[shawshankNG]

Found this on EFI express for $12.50 plus shipping.

If you are careful, you won't need to use the crimps. Carefully break the old plug apart with a pair of pliers or something and reuse the crimps after you bend the lock tabs up a bit.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner

Wild that 7 years later, the price is still the same on the same website. I've traipsed all over the internet looking for the connector but I just had to Google search EFI Express and voila

https://shop.efiexpress.com/products..._connector_kit

I'll see what I can get done tomorrow with any same connector from any part of the wiring harness. Else, I'll have to order and wait.