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      10-15-2017, 11:11 PM   #1
RotorOver
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Spark generated when socket touched oil pan during oil change

During a recent oil change when the socket I was using touched the oil pan next to the drain plug it generated a pretty large spark. It actually happened twice. Could this be a static charge or a possible grounded circuit somewhere?
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      10-16-2017, 08:42 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RotorOver View Post
During a recent oil change when the socket I was using touched the oil pan next to the drain plug it generated a pretty large spark. It actually happened twice. Could this be a static charge or a possible grounded circuit somewhere?
did it spark twice during the same oil change? wouldn't that preclude any kind of static charge ? unless your socket is a nickel copper and was being charged.
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      10-18-2017, 07:57 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by ScottSinger View Post
did it spark twice during the same oil change? wouldn't that preclude any kind of static charge ? unless your socket is a nickel copper and was being charged.
Yeah, it happened twice and the socket was steel. But, I didn't feel a shock when it made contact and sparked.
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      10-19-2017, 07:08 AM   #4
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Could it have been static between you and the car? What type of floor? Plastic tiles by any chance? Had you touched the car to "ground it out" before touching the socket to the drain plug?
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      10-19-2017, 07:46 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by JerryW235 View Post
Could it have been static between you and the car? What type of floor? Plastic tiles by any chance? Had you touched the car to "ground it out" before touching the socket to the drain plug?
I suppose that could have done it. I was laying on the concrete garage floor with a paper runner underneath me. I definitely did not ground the car out prior and I did have to start it to run it up the ramps.
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      12-20-2022, 04:01 PM   #6
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Apologies for the thread necromancy...

I recently had the same experience on my '17 X5 35D. This thread was the only one that described what happened to me. I eventually figured out that for my model, the starter +Batt connection is an exposed bolt right next to the oil pan. I suspect this is what the original poster shorted against.

For future reference more details posted here;
https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1971526
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      12-20-2022, 05:08 PM   #7
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Happened to me on last oil change too. There is some positive terminal end in the pans vacinity. I think its the power steering feed running near the pan with exposed bolt. Socket on the drain plug and contact with this creates an arc.
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      12-21-2022, 09:21 AM   #8
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That power connection is for the electric steering.
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