Hi All. I have had my Mini for about a year now and it has been a bumpy ride. The issues the car has had I blame on the previous owner and not BMW as it is obvious the car was mistreated, and I blame the dealer who sold it to me for I believe they with held information form me (that is a whole other story).


Since I have had the car the oil pressure gauge has not worked. It's a stock gauge that came on the MC40 (a feature all cars should have). I am now having issues with the oil light coming on during idle (see my other post). I figure it would be nice to have a working gauge so I can tell if it is a pressure issue (most likely the pump) or an electrical issue (a short or possibly a bad sending unit). One of my concerns is the gauge is tied into the sending unit and will not show accurate data.


The gauge does move a little when I turn the car on so I believe it is getting power. There is also a possibility the previous owner unplugged it for some reason and did not rewire it correctly.


My first plan of attack is to make sure there is current in the correct places so I can rule out the gauge itself.


Does anyone have a wiring diagram or know where to get a wiring diagram of the gauge? Or can another MC40 owner do me a solid and take a picture so I can see the wire colors and pins they are attached to, or possibly take note of where they are plugged in and raw up a quick diagram?


Would anyone recommend hooking up an aftermarket gauge?


Thanks for any help.

 

The Aux Oil Gauge added to the MC40 is an Oil Temperature Gauge, more than likely it is the Temperature Sensor that is bad or missing. The sensor replaces the normal oil pan drain plug. So the recommendation is from under the car double check the wires connecting to the sensor and if that is in place and no obvious signs of wear then I would swap out the sensor, http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2004-C...ical/ES197241/ for $47.79.

I have a hand drawn wiring diagram at home and I'll do an image of it and post it for you tonight or tomorrow morning.

Motor on!

 

+1 on checking to see if the old drain plug sensor is there ? Bet someone unplugged it or tossed it away and went back to the stock drain plug.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82940004581/



Here is the sealing ring also.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/32411093596/

 

Ya, last time I changed my oil that was not their. I will have to purchase a new one. I am really hating the previous owner.


Thanks.

 

I have actually decided to take out the stock gauges and add a oil pressure gauge and possibly a boost gauge.

 

My hand drawn wiring was just for the back of the gauges.

If I add the Boost and Oil Pressure Gauges, I would use the nacelle pod mount for the tach.

Motor on!

 

Install instructions for the NLA lower gauge set : 82940415253


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82940415253/




Install PDF

Attached Below

 

Thanks. That is a huge help.


I have to ask, what is the advantage of an oil temperature gauge?

 

The stock oil cooler is fine for 90+% of folks...no temp guage needed.
A few folks that do lots of track time would install an aux oil cooler....and in good weather the oil could be run too cold to get the moisture out...
But most folks would just run the stock cooler, and just change their oil after an auto-x/track day....syenthic oil is great stuff, and too cool is more of a concern than too hot unless you have a highly MODIFIED MOTOR....
Folks love guage...they look cool...
An oil temp guage, just like an volt guage is easy....so both are common.
An oil psi guage is harder to install, but more useful, but harder to diy, so more rare. Heck...a real radiator temp/coolant temp and oil psi guage are/were my choice on my car...came with the factory chrono pack from 2005+...
If I had kept it, a boost guage would have been next....

 

I'm thinking of keeping the stock gauges and adding oil pressure and boost gauges. Not sure where the best place to mount them is. Need to do some research on mounting options.

 

have to ask, what is the advantage of an oil temperature gauge?

As compared to an oil pressure gauge I'd say an easier install.

Most temp' g's are using an electric pickup and all you need to run from the motor to the dash is a wire.

On the other hand most oil pressure g's are what one call's mechanical and involve running a fluid line to the back of the g' ... typically a plastic tube
http://www.autometer.com/2-oil-press...que-beige.html

This tube is harder to run vs a wire because it does not like sharp turns (kinks) and if it comes loose ...... look out baby, you've got oil streaming out at regular car pressure .... 20 psi .... more? (My 79 DOES have an oil p' gauge ..... the center 3 dial Minis all did. Speedo with fuel level and assorted idiot lights, oil p' and water temp)

Why isn't there an electrical sensor for oil p'?

Well ACTUALLY THERE ARE . http://www.delcity.net/store/Gauge-L...FU6RHwod7YsAyA

is there a pickup for a MINI? dunno ....

 

Welcome on the PDF.

 

Just a head up limited stock we got the old NON Chrome version in stock. ON Sale also.

Limited quantities, after this these too are NLA.


82940303934

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/82940303934/

 

Limited amounts left.