What does the oil level sensor do when it goes bad? I'm using the correct procedure to check the level and it just displays the dash marks. Any input??

 

When mine went bad the instrument cluster would display a red warning message that I had no oil. The sensor has to be removed from underneath so be sure to drain your oil first if you have to replace the sensor.

 

Mine is just not reading the oil level at all. No errors or anything...

 

Do you have the key in the #2 position? Maybe post of pic of the display so we know what you are seeing.

 

This is all I get...

 

Which position is the key?

 

2

 

This has to be a bad sensor right?

 

Nope. Mine only reads the level in that screen with engine running. And the oil level is dynamic and appears low as oil is circulating in the engine.

Checking oil level with engine off is in a different menu. Scroll through the menus until you get to the speedometer read out. Then arrow up or down and you'll find the oil measurement screen selection. It will only work with the engine off.

 

My car will read the oil level in that screen with the engine off. Full it generally reads 7.1 - 7.3 quarts. The "regular" oil level screen will just say add a quart or level OK.

My car is parked on a slope, so the reading is wrong, but this is how it displays for me:

 

Soooooooo engine on or off???

 

It should read off, at least it does on E55. Not sure if CLS is the same, but it should be.

What does the dash say if you try it the regular way?

 

it says observe waiting period and never reads.

 

So I replaced the sensor and got the same result. What are did notice is that I can not get to the oil level screen with the car in the 2nd position only the 1st position. Could there be some sort of issue with the ignition switch??

 

How long after entering that menu does it take to display the oil level? I waited over 2 mins...nothing.

 

It only takes about 30 seconds.

 

So the something is fugged on my car that is preventing it from reading.

 

My 04 W211 1st key on positioned, 3 quick pushes on the dimmer switch brings up diagnostic menu and oil level with out the level numbers (similar to your picture) a second turn of the key produces the oil level with numbers.
1st position only SRS light on




2nd position gives the x-mas tree effect

 

Yeah, mine doesn't do that at all. 2nd position the oil level stays blank. I don't know what in the world it could be at this point.

 

Have you visually inspected the oil senders plug and wires?

 

I replaced the sensor and cleaned the connectors with contact cleaners. I haven't traced the wires back tho. But if there was a short I would suspect an engine code be thrown, no?

 

Not sure.....? Maybe Xentry can look at it.....

 

My CLS55 also has difficulty with this. I have seen that the sensor has been replaced, but still. I was able to get some reading, the one where it says how much to fill up until its top level.

But I also noticed that it tries to read the level and then nothing (like @Jerseyjules describes)

 

I would recommend buying the actual dipstick versus dealing with the trouble. Nothing beats checking it the truly proper way, and it works every time.

 

Seems mine was working fine with the 3x push method (I didnt know about that one). I made a video for it. Oil level was way too low (rear main seal is leaking)