Yellow Oil Light

[dellop]

About 30 seconds after my car (01 325xi) is running, the yellow oil light will come on for about another 15 seconds then turn off. I checked my oil level and it was right in the middle between min and max. I added enough to put it to the max, but it still occurs. It started doing this a few weeks ago and only does it just after starting the car.

Any ideas?

[325isBaby]

could be a faulty oil level sensor if this is not just the normal light check that occurs.

[dellop]

Update-
When I switch the ignition on, but the car is not running, there is no light at all being displayed for oil. But if I let the car sit without running, what about 15 seconds, the red oil light will eventually light (just like the battery and such, as expected i think). Then the yellow light is not displayed after the car is started.

Is this normal behavior? That, if I start the car right away, it takes a minute or so for the oil sensor to engage and therefore is testing itself while the car is running?

[441tech]

Sounds like the oil level sensor to me.

[BMWJNKY]

We have seen this issue at the shop I work at a few times with the E46's. Usually a new oil level sensor/switch fixes the problem.

[dellop]

Would that be the Oil Levelling Sensor (found at the bottom of the oil pan)?