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      03-31-2020, 10:23 AM   #1
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How to Modify Oil Temperature Warmup Light Thresholds

Full credit to p0lar for this writeup.

The E46 M3 are equipped with programmable multi-function lights radially-aligned with the tachometer. By default, these lights are used to indicate the oil temperature as the car warms up, extinguishing one by one as the oil temperature exceeds each positional threshold. The lights then become repurposed as shift lights (factory functionality) for the SMG-equipped vehicles. We'll explain how to change the positional threshold for each light and offer a few custom variations for those who wish to make changes to their own DME.

Part of the rationale to make these changes is that the default behaviour for the non-CSL E46 M3 is to have the last positional threshold set to 60°C; in other words, the last light goes out at 60°C. Actual operating temperature of the engine, in terms of the oil at least, is closer to 82-83°C. Many people feel that by the time the last light is out, the car is ready to redline. While it may not be dangerous to the engine's internals, these engines are known for sensitive rod bearings. Taxing the engine at redline some 20°C+ below actual operating temperature simply cannot be in its best interest.

This modification alerts the driver that the engine has reached a higher pre-set determination for the oil temperature by extinguishing the last light later in the warm-up cycle. The CSL was configured to extinguish the last light at 80°C, which is very near to actual engine-operating temperature.

The first thing to understand is where to find the 7-byte configuration values for these variables within your DME. To do this, you MUST know what version your DME is. Please see this thread about how to make that determination.

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A typical map for a 6MT-equipped M3 would look as follows:

Quote:
6C 62 58 4E 44 3A 30
A typical map for a SMG-equipped M3 would look as follows:

Quote:
6C 62 58 4E 44 3A 00
A typical map for a SMG-equipped M3 CSL would look as follows:

Quote:
80 76 6C 62 58 4E 00
To simplify the meaning of this, each temperature threshold is calculated by subtracting 48°C from each value once converted to decimal, in reverse order.

Quote:
0x80 = 128 - 48°C = 80°C
0x76 = 118 - 48°C = 70°C
0x6C = 108 - 48°C = 60°C
0x62 = 98 - 48°C = 50°C
0x58 = 88 - 48°C = 40°C
0x4E = 78 - 48°C = 30°C
0x44 = 68 - 48°C = 20°C
0x3A = 58 - 48°C = 10°C
0x30 = 48 - 48°C = 0°C
0x00 = 0 - 48°C = -48°C
To alter these values, decide what thresholds are desired and make the necessary calculations or use the values above and re-insert at the desired positions. They must be sequential, from largest to smallest, however.

So, for example, if you wanted to calibrate the oil temp warmup lights to the markings on the tachometer, i.e. 4.5k RPM = 45°C, 5.0k RPM = 50°C, 5.5k RPM = 55°C ... 7.5k RPM = 75°C, you might set them as follows:

Quote:
75°C + 48°C = 123 = 0x7B
70°C + 48°C = 118 = 0x76
65°C + 48°C = 113 = 0x71
60°C + 48°C = 108 = 0x6C
55°C + 48°C = 103 = 0x67
50°C + 48°C = 98 = 0x62
45°C + 48°C = 93 = 0x5D
The resultant code substitution would then be:

7B 76 71 6C 67 62 5D


Other alternate code substitutions:

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