VOLVO
ECM-540D - Oil grade, level and temperature sensor. Signal too low
System
Engine Control Module (ECM)
Volvo models this fault code applies to
Applies to the following models:
9 modelsC30 (2007–2013), C70 (2006–2013), S40 (2004–2013), S60 (2001–2009), S80 (1999–2006), V50 (2004–2013), V70 (2000–2008), V70 XC / XC70 (2001–2007), XC90 (2003–)
Show models by year and engine (19)
- Volvo C30 (2007–2013)2008–2013Engine B5254T7 only
- Volvo C70 (2006–2013)2008–2013Engine B5254T7 only
- Volvo S40 (2004–2013)2008Engine B5254T3, B5254T7 only
- Volvo S40 (2004–2013)2009–2012Engine B5254T7 only
- Volvo S60 (2001–2009)2005–2006Engine B5204T5, B5244T4, B5244T5, B5254T2, B5254T4 only
- Volvo S60 (2001–2009)2007Engine B5204T5, B5244T5, B5254T2, B5254T4 only
- Volvo S60 (2001–2009)2008–2009Engine B5204T5, B5244T5, B5254T2 only
- Volvo S80 (1999–2006)2005–2006Engine B5204T5, B5244T4, B5254T2, B6294S2, B6294T only
- Volvo V50 (2004–2013)2008–2012Engine B5254T7 only
- Volvo V70 (2000–2008)2005Engine B5204T5, B5244T4, B5244T5, B5254T2, B5254T4 only
- Volvo V70 (2000–2008)2006–2007Engine B5204T5, B5244T5, B5254T2, B5254T4 only
- Volvo V70 (2000–2008)2008Engine B5254T2 only
- Volvo V70 XC / XC70 (2001–2007)2005All engines except: D5244T
- Volvo V70 XC / XC70 (2001–2007)2006Engine B5244T4, B5254T2 only
- Volvo V70 XC / XC70 (2001–2007)2007Engine B5254T2 only
- Volvo XC90 (2003–)2005–2006Engine B5254T2, B6294T only
- Volvo XC90 (2003–)2007–2012Engine B5254T2 only
- Volvo XC90 (2003–)2013–2014Engine B5254T9 only
- Volvo XC90 (2003–)2015
What does this fault code mean?
The engine control module (ECM) has registered a reading from the oil level sensor that is too low, or missing, and the code is stored. The sensor reports oil level, oil temperature and oil quality. The causes are a signal wire in contact with ground or a damaged sensor.
Possible causes
- Signal wire shorted to ground
- Damaged oil level sensor
What you can do
- 1Check that the relevant fuses are intact
- 2With a multimeter, check that the signal wire from the oil level sensor has no contact with ground
- 3If you have a diagnostic tool, read the oil level, oil temperature and oil quality values in live data with the engine running and see whether any of them reads unusually low
- 4Clear the code and road test with the engine running to see whether it returns
- 5If the fault remains, have a workshop try a new oil level sensor
Symptoms you may notice1
- No noticeable symptoms for the driver
General guidance for car owners. Diagnosis on the car can point to a different cause.