Thread: W203 electric oil level malfunction

Hi,
I recently bought a 2004 C230 (facelift model with M271 engine) and have discovered a problem because engine has no oil dipstick, oil level should be checked/displayed
in the dash instrument, but even though I follow instructions in the manual the Oil level is not showing up at all in the instrument cluster, it seems just like it "skips" the oil check menu when I browse the menus.

I have also tried entering the "hidden menu", key to pos1 and 3 quick presses on reset, there are slashes showing after Oil level:__:__, then turn key to pos 2 and wait -- but nothing more happens, no oil volume displayed.

What could be causing this behaviour? If the oil level sensor is defect wouldent that cause an error code? I have checked at the sensors connection and there is 5V between pin 2&3.

According to previous owner the whole instrument cluster has earlier been replaced, maybe that work was not correctly made? Could it be incorrect software loaded, or maybe some settings which are missing/incorrect? Can the oil check function be disabled in setup? (to suppress an error from a failing sensor..?)

Guess I must take the car to a dealer to get it checked, but it would be good to know what could be wrong..

The best way to make this indication is to purchase a dipstick.

OK, that probably is the cheapest and most secure option. I have checked the oil level with a "curtain wire" and level is 110mm from bottom of oil sump.

But I cannot keep myself from thinking about why oil level is not displayed in the instrument, it would be really interesting to know...

Originally Posted by Gert

OK, that probably is the cheapest and most secure option. I have checked the oil level with a "curtain wire" and level is 110mm from bottom of oil sump.

But I cannot keep myself from thinking about why oil level is not displayed in the instrument, it would be really interesting to know...

Either it is not working or you are not on a level surface or it is not installed.

For information, a Mercedes Benz workshop checked at my car today and it was the new instrument which was not coded correctly, they corrected it and now oil check and level shows up just as it should.