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2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by BlownV8
Used L when I should have used Q in the last post. The OP was putting in 6.5 quarts which is less than the recommended amount of 6.9 quarts. I pointed this out at the beginning of the thread, but I said 6.8 quarts based on memory.
This all started as the OP was underfilling his engine.
You are correct, I did say 6+½ QUARTS in my first post. However, even after adding oil I was still getting the message. I have always started with less oil when changing my oil and add in once the oil has circulated through the engine and oil filter. I always check the level with the dipstick as I add more oil. The level was above minimum.
The first picture of my Mityvac showing 6.5 LITERS was the amount I suctioned out when I was replacing the oil level switch. I put about 6.7 LITERS back in, but still was getting the Check Engine Oil message. Not until I disconnected the oil level switch from the ECU (X26 connector) and checked for continuity on pin 13 to ground did the message go away. The continuity to ground on the switch side was 8 ohms, negligible. Continuity to ground on the ECU side was infinity (open circuit). I think it was that act of checking the ECU side of the connector reset or cleared some condition even though I was using a digital multimeter. I did not short pin 13 directly to ground.
NOTE: I'm posting here because this forum gets a lot of technical interest.
I drained about 6.7 liters and filled back in 6 quarts and figured I would top off once the oil was well circulated. I did check the oil level and added ½ quart to put the level toward the top of the measuring area.
Yes, I'm aware of the correct fill amount as I posted it at the beginning of the discussion. You had 6.5 quarts which was a bit low, so you were signaling a low oil event. Should it have tripped at .5 quarts low, probably not but it may have and that's why I recommended adding more oil.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Since owning the car, I have changed the oil seven times, every time doing it the same way. This time was no different. And to be clear, the oil on the dipstick measured between the Min and Max marks before I drove it for the first time after the oil change. This was the first time the message appeared in 30,000 miles of ownership.
I have concluded that the original oil level switch was working properly and am now keeping it as a spare for my other Mercedes with the M276 3.5 liter engine, should I ever need it. As I posted above around post #28 or so, I had tried to change my Instrument Cluster configuration with my LAUNCH scanner. That may have created a condition that caused erratic readings or responses from the ECU. It's really hard to say because there were no errors directly pointing to that change though I did get DTC C073600 - The coding of control unit "A1 (Instrument cluster)" is faulty, leading me to believe this was not a result of low oil or a faulty oil level switch.
I have shared this experience so that if it happens to someone else, they can discover that there are other steps to take before replacing the oil level switch. When this first happened and I searched the message in these forums, there was scarce little information about it. The logical conclusion if the oil level is good is that the oil level switch was faulty. Thanks to @S-Prihadi and his passion for wiring diagrams, I discovered that the problem was likely an anomaly in the ECU logic caused by me asking it to do something it wasn't able to do. It is unlikely even Mercedes would have found the problem.
Always use WIS, that is most accurate and original source of all information.
MB always uses Metric, so it is liters. 6.5 liters is for M276.8 3.0 Turbo.
However, do becareful of German decimal system. US Dollars one hundred zero cents they will write as 100,00 and not 100.00
1 million they will write 1.000.000.00 not 1,000,000.00
One thousand three hundred they will write 1.300 and we may think as 1 point 3 with 3 decimals accuracy
One point three two five they will write 1,325 , while US will write 1.325
Some data in WIS still uses German decimals and some are typical US decimals, sometime they use both , example alignment value, the Romess inclinometer.
.
My country officially is using the same as German decimals but I like US decimals.
Last edited by S-Prihadi; Sep 4, 2024 at 02:10 AM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by BlownV8
Yes, I'm aware of the correct fill amount as I posted it at the beginning of the discussion. You had 6.5 quarts which was a bit low, so you were signaling a low oil event. Should it have tripped at .5 quarts low, probably not but it may have and that's why I recommended adding more oil.
I do think my problem was not insufficient oil levels, but this video shows how low levels of oil may trigger that message. The perplexing part for me is that I showed a sufficient amount of oil on the dipstick. Still, I found this video interesting.
We are now the lucky 'winners' of the 'check engine oil at next refueling message'.
The wife's M276 3.5NA has now been alerting with this error every couple of days for the past weeks.
Each time she reports the message I check the oil, and it has always been exactly mid-range (as it has been every other time I've checked it).
These engines do have the curious condition where the first time you pull the dipstick, it shows completely empty (dipstick dry). After restarting my heart, the dipstick is reinserted, left for a couple of seconds, removed, and it then shows the correct level.
After reading through this thread, it seems that the brain-trust (CaliBenzDriver, S-Prihadi and JettaRed) are at a loss as to the trigger for this condition. I'm posting this here hoping that in the interim someone else may have encountered the same issue and found a resolution.
We are now the lucky 'winners' of the 'check engine oil at next refueling message'.
The wife's M276 3.5NA has now been alerting with this error every couple of days for the past weeks.
Each time she reports the message I check the oil, and it has always been exactly mid-range (as it has been every other time I've checked it).
These engines do have the curious condition where the first time you pull the dipstick, it shows completely empty (dipstick dry). After restarting my heart, the dipstick is reinserted, left for a couple of seconds, removed, and it then shows the correct level.
After reading through this thread, it seems that the brain-trust (CaliBenzDriver, S-Prihadi and JettaRed) are at a loss as to the trigger for this condition. I'm posting this here hoping that in the interim someone else may have encountered the same issue and found a resolution.
Not sure if this will help but this issue did happen with my wife’s car. After we changed the oil it stopped. We did take a while and was being lazy between that oil change. When I check engine oil level. I’d check it 5 min after the car is shut off .
We are now the lucky 'winners' of the 'check engine oil at next refueling message'.
The wife's M276 3.5NA has now been alerting with this error every couple of days for the past weeks.
Each time she reports the message I check the oil, and it has always been exactly mid-range (as it has been every other time I've checked it).
These engines do have the curious condition where the first time you pull the dipstick, it shows completely empty (dipstick dry). After restarting my heart, the dipstick is reinserted, left for a couple of seconds, removed, and it then shows the correct level.
After reading through this thread, it seems that the brain-trust (CaliBenzDriver, S-Prihadi and JettaRed) are at a loss as to the trigger for this condition. I'm posting this here hoping that in the interim someone else may have encountered the same issue and found a resolution.
If I recalled correctly in forum member JettaRed's case, it was the new replacement bypass valve in the oil filter housing that caused the issue, the old oil filter housing solved it so I guess it is not the same cause to the issue you have.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Dec 1, 2024 at 07:25 PM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Actually, I think the message was because I was futzing around with the settings for the Instrument Cluster using my LAUNCH scanner. I was trying to get the IC to display the oil level as there was a setting that implied you could do that. I don't remember exactly what it was, but it was in the Variant Coding for the IC. I never could get it to display the oil level, but I think the change in coding confused the IC module. Anyway, I effectively physically reset whatever was triggering the message by disconnecting the wiring harness to the oil level sensor in the oil pan. (I had also replaced the sensor, but that didn't help.) I think I covered the whole thing in an earlier posting (see Posting #78). In my case, I believe checking continuity of the wiring to the oil level sensor with the X26 No. 4 connector disconnected (pin 13) on the ECU side (gray connector) somehow reset some condition in the ECU.
Interesting, but I got the error message again yesterday for the first time since I "fixed" the problem. It popped up after driving about 10-15 minutes on the highway at around 65 mph. When I stopped the car at our destination, I checked the oil level after about 20 minutes, and it showed halfway between the min and max on the dipstick. The warning didn't display again for the rest of the drive home. I should have scanned for errors today but forgot about the previous IC error code in Post #78, so I will take a look tomorrow for any stored codes. I should also note that I have changed the oil since the very first occurrence from 5W-40 to 5W-50.
Actually, I think the message was because I was futzing around with the settings for the Instrument Cluster using my LAUNCH scanner. I was trying to get the IC to display the oil level as there was a setting that implied you could do that. I don't remember exactly what it was, but it was in the Variant Coding for the IC. I never could get it to display the oil level, but I think the change in coding confused the IC module. Anyway, I effectively physically reset whatever was triggering the message by disconnecting the wiring harness to the oil level sensor in the oil pan. (I had also replaced the sensor, but that didn't help.) I think I covered the whole thing in an earlier posting (see Posting #78). In my case, I believe checking continuity of the wiring to the oil level sensor with the X26 No. 4 connector disconnected (pin 13) on the ECU side (gray connector) somehow reset some condition in the ECU.
Interesting, but I got the error message again yesterday for the first time since I "fixed" the problem. It popped up after driving about 10-15 minutes on the highway at around 65 mph. When I stopped the car at our destination, I checked the oil level after about 20 minutes, and it showed halfway between the min and max on the dipstick. The warning didn't display again for the rest of the drive home. I should have scanned for errors today but forgot about the previous IC error code in Post #78, so I will take a look tomorrow for any stored codes. I should also note that I have changed the oil since the very first occurrence from 5W-40 to 5W-50.
Thanks for clarifying but I thought our engines don't have an actual oil level sensor? Or do you mean it is the type of oil level sensor only detects if the oil level is too low and not actual measurement and cannot detect if the oil level is too high, that sort of thing?
For the record I've never seen this message even once since new regardless of oil type or level.
I remember Peter saying that these sensors and pump solenoid both qualify for "10k-oil-in-harness" sensor leak.
The amazin' plastic cracks to leak oil into the harness thats feed troubles into both Lambda and ECU.
This sensor has a built-in round float :
LOW OIL : On/Off
or LEVEL: HIGH/NORMAL/WARNING
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Dec 1, 2024 at 08:39 PM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
The level sensor is a simple two position switch. At a full level, the switch closes to ground. At the insufficient level, the switch remains open. I have verified this with the working switch I removed. There is no variable or intermittent switch position.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Thanks for clarifying but I thought our engines don't have an actual oil level sensor? Or do you mean it is the type of oil level sensor only detects if the oil level is too low and not actual measurement and cannot detect if the oil level is too high, that sort of thing?
The level sensor is a simple two position switch. At a full level, the switch closes to ground. At the insufficient level, the switch remains open. I have verified this with the working switch I removed. There is no variable or intermittent switch position.
So it's open low is also fail safe... that's what you're getting now. With the line loses its GND connections its goes "low oil".
The question where does the connection gets lost?
near the ECU?
near the sensor?
Single wire or two wires?
We know the new switch is good
Engine GND is as good as it gets
ECU has GND!
then Wiring questionabl?? oxidized soaked connection??
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Dec 2, 2024 at 08:07 PM.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by CaliBenzDriver
So it's open low is also fail safe... that's what you're getting now. With the line loses its GND connections its goes "low oil".
The question where does the connection gets lost?
near the ECU?
near the sensor? See Surya's post #44. That's where the wiring harness connects the sensor to the ecu.
Single wire or two wires? Singlewire
We know the new switch is good
Engine GND is as good as it gets
ECU has GND!
then Wiring questionabl?? oxidized soaked connection?? Doubtful. My engine bay has been kept very clean.
My responses are in red. I did add maybe 100-200 ml just to bring the oil up from midway to max. No messages since.
The level sensor is a simple two position switch. At a full level, the switch closes to ground. At the insufficient level, the switch remains open. I have verified this with the working switch I removed. There is no variable or intermittent switch position.
Originally Posted by JettaRed
Correct. See my response to Cali above.
I see, just to clarify if you ever overfill the car will warn you or did I understand it wrong?
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
I see, just to clarify if you ever overfill the car will warn you or did I understand it wrong?
No warning with overfill. Only if the fill level is below a certain level will you get the warning. On my 2004 SL500 (M113) I would get a warning with either.
No warning with overfill. Only if the fill level is below a certain level will you get the warning. On my 2004 SL500 (M113) I would get a warning with either.
I see, I thought so since it isn't mentioned in the operator's manual only the low one in the form of check engine oil level at next refueling.
While WIS will tell you the amount of engine oil for your particular engine on a particular car model, check your data card to look for OIL OFFSET.
Example my engine M276.820 and Jetta's ( one of his car ), stated 6.5 liters
However, in my Data Card there is an OIL OFFSET of +0.6 liters.
One thing for sure, oil pan shape and design while on the same engine M276.8xx 3.0 Turbo, the oil pan shape thus capacity.... CAN BE DIFFERENT between different models.
I start always at 6.5 Liters as per WIS. Use/run the engine for say few hours or a 100KM or so, and I measure again and filled up as per DISPTICK level.
I track the oil level by Dipstick usually up to the first 500KM of use.
While WIS will tell you the amount of engine oil for your particular engine on a particular car model, check your data card to look for OIL OFFSET.
Example my engine M276.820 and Jetta's ( one of his car ), stated 6.5 liters
However, in my Data Card there is an OIL OFFSET of +0.6 liters.
One thing for sure, oil pan shape and design while on the same engine M276.8xx 3.0 Turbo, the oil pan shape thus capacity.... CAN BE DIFFERENT between different models.
I start always at 6.5 Liters as per WIS. Use/run the engine for say few hours or a 100KM or so, and I measure again and filled up as per DISPTICK level.
I track the oil level by Dipstick usually up to the first 500KM of use.
Very valid point, this was brought up in one of the W212 thread but I can't remember which one.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
, example alignment value, the Romess inclinometer.
