BMW Oil Pressure Switch - Rein 12618611273

Product Information

The engine oil pressure switch detects oil pressure and sends a signal to the ECU, most specifically for use in the dashboard warning light (“genie lamp”). This ensures that if there is a sudden loss of oil pressure, then the driver is warned and can safely come to a stop. Without oil pressure, the engine can catastrophically fail, so if you are diagnosing a suspected oil pressure problem, the oil pressure switch should be inspected. Oil pressure switches differ from oil pressure sensors which output a range, rather than just on or off. Modern cars may use a sensor instead of a switch to get additional oil pressure data for the ECU to use.

The switch itself is usually a small threaded metal body that screws into an oil passageway in the block, head, or occasionally the oil filter housing. A very small hole on the end allows ingress of engine oil, and inside the switch, there is a diaphragm and an electrical component. When oil pressure is pressed on the diaphragm, contact is made, and the electrical circuit is completed.

Engine oil pressure switches are very simple, so when they fail the issue generally isn’t with the pressure sensing mechanism itself. Rather, faults with this switch are more common with the electrical connector and its terminals, as well as oil leaks. If your oil light stays on when starting the engine, and nothing else has changed, inspect the wiring to the sensor before assuming the worst. Engine oil pressure switches are usually designed to be installed with the socket going over the electrical connector, so keep in mind the size socket you may need when replacing your oil pressure switch.

• Electrical connector failure: The engine oil pressure switch is subjected to high heat and chemical conditions, which can degrade the plastic and wear the terminals. If the electrical connector is broken or loose, the oil warning light may not extinguish.
• Internal failure: While not as common, if the internal diagram is sticky or may have been out of a car for a long period as a used part, the reading might be sluggish or stuck.
• External oil leaks: It is very common for an oil pressure sensor to leak oil after many years and miles. Sometimes the oil sealing ring is captured on the threads so if an external oil leak occurs the whole switch should be replaced.
• Internal oil leaks: It’s possible for an internal oil leak to make it past the electrical seals and into the electrical connector. It’s important to catch a failure like this early, to avoid oil from wicking up into the vehicle harness.

About Rein

Founded in 2007, CRP Automotive introduced the Rein Automotive line of OE-quality replacement parts to the aftermarket. And in just two short years, Rein Automotive has become very popular among both warehouse distributors and professional repair technicians. Rein is the German word for “pure”, and has come to be synonymous with quality in the automotive aftermarket. A true dealer alternative.

The Rein brand includes a growing number of “better than OE” parts for selected applications. These parts address known weaknesses and premature failures of factory parts. Many of these replacement and service solutions have been developed with the help of our Innovation Council, a hand-picked group of experienced professional repair technicians and shop owners throughout North America.

All Rein Automotive OE-quality parts are backed by the CRP Automotive standard, and are backed with a ISO 9001:2015 quality management system certification. Each year, CRP Automotive ships thousands of Rein Automotive brand products. And with widespread NAFTA market distribution through strategically placed warehouses in Cranbury, New Jersey and Puebla, Mexico - OE-quality products like Rein Automotive are delivered to customers both faster and more cost-effectively than ever before.

In 2017 Rein partnered with FCP Euro in competing a W204 C300 AER car for the 2017 season. The partnership focused FCP Euro to dive deep into the Rein catalog offering, and hundreds of new products were added and integrated into our catalog. Hundreds of new packages were created not only using the full part pine up of Rein products, but also the entire family of CRP products like Pentosin.

Rein is also an innovative brand, winning numerous trade awards — including multiple new product innovation awards at the annual AAPEX trade show.