I've had my oil sender unit replaced. Then the problem returned. I've used some electrical cleaner on contacts and moved wires about a bit. Works ever since. Don't rush off replacing the unit. In my case I did this needlessly (as per dealer's advice). They are morons and now very little about proper fault diagnostics.

 

I was on the beltway on my way home, gauge went dead and i got the error message in the dash. I immediately pulled over and turned of the car. Checked the car and everything looked fine, no smoke no nothing. It freaked me the F**K OUT! Turned the car back on, gauge back to normal and message was not there any longer. I need to add this to my "To-Do" list.

 

Necro-bumping this

Had the exact same scare on the way home today. Out of nowhere the pressure sensor went to zero. I blipped the throttle and it went back up and seemed to stay fine. Then later on down the road it did the same thing and a blip put it right back where it should be. Going to check the wires to see if I can correct it as the engine was running fine. Didnt get a warning light either. URG

 

So I'm having this problem on my 2003 x50. The oil pressure gauge will drop and then come back on and drop again. I did just a 9 hour trip and it probably happened about 6-10 times. I'm 99% sure I need to remove the wires and clean the contacts because it would come back on when I revved the engine or did a rev matched downshift like it shook some things back there.

Where are these wires at? Is it something I can without removing anything? I know the process to get to the regulator has you removing the intake among many other things. Was hoping you might offer some insight since it sounds like the same problem.

Thanks!

 

That is a common issue with the unit that sends the signal to the gauge. I replaced my sending unit during my last clutch change for exactly that reason. All fixed now.

 

I had this issue, you can check the wires, if my memory serves me right, it is right behind the oil filter, to the right of the bypass valves, it kind of sticks out, wires on top, sunken in a bit behind the oil filter housing. I ended up replacing mine after checking that the wires were making a firm connection. It was many years ago. If you are handy, you should be able to swap it out, after a few F bombs.