Oil Service Light Reset Without Tool!!!

MMMMMM 3 · Sat, Apr-16-2005, 11:17:13 PM

I got ticked off when two of my local BMW dealerships told me they don't reset oil lights for home oil changes.

So I did a little digging on the internet and found this site...

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/ele...ce_lights.html

This guy explains how to make a reset tool with $5 worth of parts.

I took it one step further and made it work with a 6" piece of copper electrical wire (the kind you have running through the electrical conduit in your house). Unbelievable but true, it worked on my '99 M3!!!

On the 20 pin data ports, the sequence is important other wise it won't work (trust me it took me a few tries):

1) Put key in and turn to position 2 (Ignition - where all the dash lights come on but the starter is not engagaed).

2) Under the hood. Open you data port and use the piece of wire to make a connection between pins 7 - Service Interval Pin, and pin 19 - Ground (see the link above for a pinout diagram and table). Hold the wire there for over 3 seconds for an Oil reset. Hold the wire there for over 11 seconds for an Inspection reset.

3) Put the data port cap back on.

4) Turn the key to position 0 (off).

5) Turn the key back to position 2 (Ignition) and the lights should all be green.

And by not buying a reset tool, you just paid for you next oil change!!!

///Motorsport3 kID · Sat, Apr-16-2005, 11:40:08 PM

this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen

**ArtM3** · Mon, Apr-18-2005, 06:58:21 PM

I know you can do it on a e46 with only the cluster buttons & the key...I'm sure there is a similar procedure for the e36...

I'd be very hestitant about shorting electrical connections to the ecu out...

you might let all the magic smoke out of the wires...lol

MMMMMM 3 · Tue, Apr-19-2005, 03:00:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtM3

I know you can do it on a e46 with only the cluster buttons & the key...I'm sure there is a similar procedure for the e36...

I'd be very hestitant about shorting electrical connections to the ecu out...

you might let all the magic smoke out of the wires...lol

Granted it was a major gamble on my part, and I did start to worry the first couple of times when I didn't do it in the right sequence and the lights didn't reset. But when I got the sequence right, it worked like a charm. Just make sure you get the right two pins. If you are not comfortable with electronic wiring then don't even think about doing this.

**ArtM3** · Tue, Apr-19-2005, 12:22:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMMMM 3

Granted it was a major gamble on my part, and I did start to worry the first couple of times when I didn't do it in the right sequence and the lights didn't reset. But when I got the sequence right, it worked like a charm. Just make sure you get the right two pins. If you are not comfortable with electronic wiring then don't even think about doing this.

I'm an electrical engineer with 20+ years of experience...and it STILL makes me nervous...lol

95cosMosE36M3 · Fri, Nov-23-2007, 10:34:25 PM

the paperclip absolutely WORKS. Just did it today. follow procedure above and you will be in the green.

**Tonester** · Fri, Dec-14-2007, 08:34:48 AM

I use a test light, works the same.. only far the cars w/ 20pin connectors though.

Anything later you do it via cluster.

xtreme1_419 · Tue, Dec-18-2007, 06:56:19 PM

just made my own and worked, had to find a good ground but 3rd time was a charm

zrx1200rob · Tue, Dec-25-2007, 05:39:10 PM

I've used this same method on my E36 and also on the wife's E34. No problems.

D3lla · Fri, Oct-17-2008, 04:09:04 AM

I tried this tonight using the 7 to 19 pin to ground it as well as grounding it to the frame and nothing worked. I would of been better off sprinkling magic dust on it cause this is totally bogus.

Sat, Apr-16-2005, 11:17:13 PM	#1
MMMMMM 3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 53 Reputation: 0	Oil Service Light Reset Without Tool!!! I got ticked off when two of my local BMW dealerships told me they don't reset oil lights for home oil changes. So I did a little digging on the internet and found this site... http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/ele...ce_lights.html This guy explains how to make a reset tool with $5 worth of parts. I took it one step further and made it work with a 6" piece of copper electrical wire (the kind you have running through the electrical conduit in your house). Unbelievable but true, it worked on my '99 M3!!! On the 20 pin data ports, the sequence is important other wise it won't work (trust me it took me a few tries): 1) Put key in and turn to position 2 (Ignition - where all the dash lights come on but the starter is not engagaed). 2) Under the hood. Open you data port and use the piece of wire to make a connection between pins 7 - Service Interval Pin, and pin 19 - Ground (see the link above for a pinout diagram and table). Hold the wire there for over 3 seconds for an Oil reset. Hold the wire there for over 11 seconds for an Inspection reset. 3) Put the data port cap back on. 4) Turn the key to position 0 (off). 5) Turn the key back to position 2 (Ignition) and the lights should all be green. And by not buying a reset tool, you just paid for you next oil change!!!

Sat, Apr-16-2005, 11:40:08 PM	#2
///Motorsport3 kID yousa nasty bltch, aintcha? Join Date: Nov 2004 Age: 24 Posts: 5,403 Reputation: 0 Location: Nassau, LI	this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen __________________ -Roger 2006 ///M3 Convertible. Imolarot / Black Leather / Cold Weather Package / Nav Xenon Headlights / H/K Sound System / Painted Corners 12/24/2009 - 16,327mi 1/03/2010 - 19,232mi 3/3/2010 - 23,420mi 4/3/2010 - 25,230mi 10/10/2010 - 36,745mi 3/30/2011 - 45,897mi 10/14/2011 - 54,435mi Stock

Fri, Nov-23-2007, 10:34:25 PM	#6
95cosMosE36M3 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Age: 30 Posts: 37 Reputation: 0 Location: Bay Area	the paperclip absolutely WORKS. Just did it today. follow procedure above and you will be in the green. __________________ Mods: Dinan Performance Chip, AC Schnitzer rear strut brace, Bilstein shocks/struts. http://www.bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=5164

Tue, Dec-18-2007, 06:56:19 PM	#8
xtreme1_419 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 60 Reputation: 0 Location: Upstate NY	just made my own and worked, had to find a good ground but 3rd time was a charm __________________

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Mon, Apr-18-2005, 06:58:21 PM	#3
ArtM3 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 33,063 Reputation: 0	I know you can do it on a e46 with only the cluster buttons & the key...I'm sure there is a similar procedure for the e36... I'd be very hestitant about shorting electrical connections to the ecu out... you might let all the magic smoke out of the wires...lol

Fri, Dec-14-2007, 08:34:48 AM	#7
Tonester Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,171 Reputation: 0 Location: Southern Cali	I use a test light, works the same.. only far the cars w/ 20pin connectors though. Anything later you do it via cluster.

Tue, Dec-25-2007, 05:39:10 PM	#9
zrx1200rob Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1 Reputation: 0 Location: Greer	I've used this same method on my E36 and also on the wife's E34. No problems.

Fri, Oct-17-2008, 04:09:04 AM	#10
D3lla keepin it classy since 89 Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 449 Reputation: 0 Location: Seattle	I tried this tonight using the 7 to 19 pin to ground it as well as grounding it to the frame and nothing worked. I would of been better off sprinkling magic dust on it cause this is totally bogus.

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