Jump to content
READ ME - iOS Notifications - How To Enable - Guide

Anyone know why my coolant light is on but the temp is fine?

Slongy93
 Share

Recommended Posts

Slongy93 Contributor

Slongy93

Posted
Posted

So I've finally fixed the mucky carb problem which meant my car stalling now there's another problem!!!! When i first start my car up whether it be in a morning or after it's been sat my engine coolant light comes on  in red. Now the temp gauge says fine even on a 100 mile odd journey it stayed at half way, the coolant level is fine. It's recently had a new sensor fitted to the coolant but when i looked under the engine they hadn't put the clip on right. Anyone elses does this? or do people just think it's a dodgey wire? the light goes away after you run it two mins switch the engine off then back on again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
KenONeill Grand Master

KenONeill

Posted
Posted

Not for sure.

 

Has it had a new header tank? (I suspect it may from the comment about a new sensor) If not, then when cold open the tank and scrape the level sensor prongs with a 4 to 6mm blade flat screwdriver).

 

If that doesn't work, a friend of my Mum's had to have the level sensor (and the lights on warning) mapped out in VCDS to cure this one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
wilsonian Proficient

wilsonian

Posted
Posted

I had something similar and it was resolved by a new header tank.

 

+1 to this. The sensor is housed inside and can only be replaced by fitting a new tank. Their pretty cheap (around £15). Always buy new, don't get a 2nd hand one off a scrap yard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TMB Mentor

TMB

Posted
Posted

If not, then when cold open the tank and scrape the level sensor prongs with a 4 to 6mm blade flat screwdriver).

 

It's impossible to do that because you can't get to the prongs due to the way the tank is designed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Chris Coates Proficient

Chris Coates

Posted
Posted

Header tank will be warning that the level is too low. If it's not too low, then replace the tank. If it is? You've got a slow leak.

Sent from my S5 using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Slongy93 Contributor

Slongy93

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I presume it's had a new header tank if it's had a new sensor on! I've tried looking for a leak and can see nothing and the level stays the same (i put a pen mark on when cold and one when the engine was warm and the levels are always the same, i check just about every day)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TMB Mentor

TMB

Posted
Posted

I presume it's had a new header tank if it's had a new sensor on! I've tried looking for a leak and can see nothing and the level stays the same (i put a pen mark on when cold and one when the engine was warm and the levels are always the same, i check just about every day)

 

I think you're getting mixed up. The coolant level sensor is an integral part of the expansion tank. It cannot be renewed separately. You said you looked under the engine but the sensor isn't under the engine. I don't know what you were looking at but it wasn't a coolant sensor, unless you mean the radiator fan thermoswitch.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Slongy93 Contributor

Slongy93

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I think you're getting mixed up. The coolant level sensor is an integral part of the expansion tank. It cannot be renewed separately. You said you looked under the car but the sensor isn't under the car.

I was meaning i looked under the car to see if any coolant had leaked

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Slongy93 Contributor

Slongy93

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Does water temperature needle rise above normal when car is running with engine at working temperature?

nope, slowly works it's way up to half way and stays there

Link to comment
Share on other sites
trundlenut Mentor

trundlenut

Posted
Posted

I was meaning i looked under the car to see if any coolant had leaked

Did it have a new coolant temperature sensor? This is separate from the coolant level sensor which is causing the red light.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
TMB Mentor

TMB

Posted
Posted

I was meaning i looked under the car to see if any coolant had leaked

 

OK but is your expansion tank brand new?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
BossFox Veteran

BossFox

Posted
Posted

It's recently had a new sensor fitted to the coolant but when i looked under the engine they hadn't put the clip on right.

 

I didn't think you meant a new coolant header tank.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Slongy93 Contributor

Slongy93

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I didn't think you meant a new coolant header tank.

Sorry guys my heads not with it today, Before i bought it it went for a service and an MOT. Now they said to me they had replaced the sensor which I've heard you can't or is very hard to do. seen as though the clips to the tank weren't on properly i presume they've just replaced the whole tank. Hope that makes more sense

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TMB Mentor

TMB

Posted
Posted

Sorry guys my heads not with it today, Before i bought it it went for a service and an MOT. Now they said to me they had replaced the sensor which I've heard you can't or is very hard to do. seen as though the clips to the tank weren't on properly i presume they've just replaced the whole tank. Hope that makes more sense

 

Which clips? When they said they'd replaced the sensor they could have been talking about the engine coolant temp sensor which is on the thermostat housing. You need to know if it's had a new expansion tank which has the level sensor moulded into it as that is the thing that causes the coolant light to come on in many cases. If you don't know then get a new one, they are cheap.

 

When I got my Fabia I replaced my expansion tank as a matter of course even though the coolant light wasn't on because I knew they often give trouble.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Slongy93 Contributor

Slongy93

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Which clips? When they said they'd replaced the sensor they could have been talking about the engine coolant temp sensor which is on the thermostat housing. You need to know if it's had a new expansion tank which has the level sensor moulded into it as that is the thing that causes the coolant light to come on in many cases. If you don't know then get a new one, they are cheap.

 

When I got my Fabia I replaced my expansion tank as a matter of course even though the coolant light wasn't on because I knew they often give trouble.

sorry the hose clips that go from the side of the tank

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TMB Mentor

TMB

Posted
Posted

sorry the hose clips that go from the side of the tank

 

Right but that does not prove that they replaced the expansion tank. We could be here all day going around in circles. Fit a new tank.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Slongy93 Contributor

Slongy93

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Right but that does not prove that they replaced the expansion tank. We could be here all day going around in circles. Fit a new tank

There's no need to be so snappy im just giving you the information i know to try help myself! the garage who did whatever they did to the sensor aren't here to ask so im just telling you what i can see!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TMB Mentor

TMB

Posted
Posted

There's no need to be so snappy im just giving you the information i know to try help myself! the garage who did whatever they did to the sensor aren't here to ask so im just telling you what i can see!

 

I was simply trying to help you. I have the MPI myself and know the score.

 

 

Anyway, good luck with it. As Duncan Bannatyne would say - I'm out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.