[Sky_Line]

Hi all,

I have a 98 E320 with 106,000 miles. Recently the "Oil Level Sensor Defective" warning pops up sometimes when I start the car.. It' wont show up every time I start, and I m still able to check the oil level after re-insert the key and turn to position 2.

I m wondering if this is just an electronic issue, or really a defective sensor that caused the problem..

I got a quote from a MB specialist in town, they charge $480-ish just to install a new oil level sensor.. Is it about the right price, or do you think it's a rip-off?

Any input is truly appreciated.

Sky

 

[CurtB]

I have the same issue on my '98 E430. Turning off the engine and restarting makes it go away so I haven't done any investigation.

 

[jeremy156]

Have you checked the battery? I had the same problem on mine before I changed the battery. After that I have never seen the warning again.

 

[MBTECHNICIAN]

Sounds like a bad sensor. Where do you live? i do work at home.

Hi all,

I have a 98 E320 with 106,000 miles. Recently the "Oil Level Sensor Defective" warning pops up sometimes when I start the car.. It' wont show up every time I start, and I m still able to check the oil level after re-insert the key and turn to position 2.

I m wondering if this is just an electronic issue, or really a defective sensor that caused the problem..

I got a quote from a MB specialist in town, they charge $480-ish just to install a new oil level sensor.. Is it about the right price, or do you think it's a rip-off?

Any input is truly appreciated.

Sky

 

[wuzoo]

Hi

this is long post, but without wanting to be dramatic, it could save you $$$$!!

I had ExactlY the same problem with my v6 e240. I phoned my local benz stealership and the master tech typically said "never heard of that".

It transpired that a gasket on my transmission had failed. I did not know this for a -long time- as no oil dropped on my driveway. However I occasionaly got the defective oil sensor message.

When i did see oil on my driveway, i got my indy to check the car and ultimately he replaced a transmission gasket. Cost was £70 ($130). From memory, he had to remove all of the 'lifetime' transmission fluid to enable correct fitment of the new gasket.

The car did have to go to benz to have the trans oil level checked. It transpired that my indy could not check the transmission oil level himself as he did not have the MB 'special' tool for checking the trans oil level. MB checked my trans & diff oil level, for free, but i think that was a favour. MB also wanted to replace the lifetime trans oil at a cost of some £200 ($370) . My indy reckoned this was pointless- he simply recycled the 'old' oil (14k old).

Anyway, i dont want to scare you, but i have read that some w210 owners, have had transmission oil escape & 'wick' up the transmission computer wires into the trans computer itself, causing the trans computer to fail. cost to repair and replace is BiG wonga $$$$

btw, my indy, said that the gasket fails if you drive like a knob. The trans gets uber warm and the gasket goes 'pop'.
Thats what the benz tech told my indy when he enquired about this problem.

In sum and at a guess!

If your wondering what the cause of this error message is, i would humbly suggest, that it -could- be leaking oil from your trans, which is in someway effecting the transmission electronics

Im obviously no w210 guru. But thats my experience.

 

[Mark Cummins]

Hi all,

I have a 98 E320 with 106,000 miles. Recently the "Oil Level Sensor Defective" warning pops up sometimes when I start the car.. It' wont show up every time I start, and I m still able to check the oil level after re-insert the key and turn to position 2.

I m wondering if this is just an electronic issue, or really a defective sensor that caused the problem..

I got a quote from a MB specialist in town, they charge $480-ish just to install a new oil level sensor.. Is it about the right price, or do you think it's a rip-off?

Any input is truly appreciated.

Sky

Seems High as Its NOT that Big of a Job..Drain the Engine Oil..remove the Lower oil pan then replace the oil level sending unit...Done Several

 

[steve-p]

Have you checked the battery? I had the same problem on mine before I changed the battery. After that I have never seen the warning again.

Same here. I would get this message about once a month. The battery seemed fine, but in a spell of cold weather, it suddenly failed. I fitted a new battery and I've never had that message since (about 6 months since the battery replacement).