Low Coolant? I don't think so...

[thekid]

Just wanted to check on this since I can't check the coolant level tonight.

Went to move my car back into the driveway after all of our thanksgiving guests left and when I turned on the car the OBC said low coolant and the check engine light was on. After using some choice words for a min and backed the car up the light went off and so did the OBC warning. I then pulled up into the drive way (very steep slant) and the light immediately came back on. I'm thinking that it is only because of how steep the drive way is, but last time I was home it wasnt a problem.

I'll be checking the level tomorrow (or later today as the case may be), but I'm not really expecting to find low coolant... Just wanting reassurance that my baby is ok.

[drz]

The sensor may have gone bad. Spurious low coolant warnings are a staple of e36 ownership

[dannyb]

mine was going on and off all the time, added water and tightened the cap

make sure your cap is tight, that how i lost some.

[thekid]

grrr... I hate sensors. Sure they are nice, but they always go bad. Going out to check it out now then to grab something to eat.

[thekid]

It's about an inch low when cold. Is it a 50/50 mix?

[bimmerguy82]

Originally Posted by thekid

It's about an inch low when cold. Is it a 50/50 mix?

yuppers, 50/50 mix is what it uses.

[Winter]

Encountered this anomoly with a bunch of people on another board. Seems around the first cold spell of a season that peoples OBC's start complaining that their coolant levels are low. Mine even talks down to me like an idiot and tells me to "consult my owners manual". The general consensus to this whole thing is to top the tank off with coolant and hope it goes away. If that fails to work, the next step is checking the electrical connector at the bottom of the overflow tank, looking for a sticky float, or replacement of a faulty sensor. One thing Ive found different and interesting in your statement, is that you were parking on a slant when this came about. My encounter with this also occured on a day I was parked on a 'slant'. I never parked on that angle again, nor did I add any coolant to the tank ( I will once I pick up a jug) but the warning never came on again. Sounds like, in addition to lower levels due to cold water contraction, I'm missing just enough coolant that this slant parking lowers the sensor float to below full levels.

[thekid]

I checked it out and it seems that the Coolant is actually low, but not by much. It got down to the high 30s, but its been about that cold a few weeks ago, so I'm. OT sure that it is anything other than I've lost about an inch of Coolant if that. Which perhaps on the slant tripped the sensor.

[whosyadadie01]

yea mines telling me the same thing and everone in my car has to remind me that it says my coolant is low

[Winter]

Yah, mines down a couple inches from the cold mark. So the thing is right. The weird part is that everybodies light is going on at the same time due to atmospheric changes. Maybe not so weird scientifically, but kinda funky just the same.

[whosyadadie01]

im going to try adding some and see if that helps ... is it any specific kind?

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

I use zerex i think that is how it is spelled...

[Winter]

Originally Posted by AlpineSixAndSeven

I use zerex i think that is how it is spelled...

Yah, careful with that.. cus ZAREX was this cherry flavored syrup stuff they sold back in the 70's. A gooey, liquid form of kool Aid. Coulda been an east coast thing, havent seen it in a long time, dont recall it being real tasty ( Kool-aids counterpart 'FUNNY FACE' rootin' tootin' Rasberry' was better). Regardless, it would wreak unholy hell with your cooling system, but surely make it taste alot better.

[whosyadadie01]

yea i dont think they would sell that at my local auto parts place but thanks for the warning, im shure my car would love a nice cherry flavored taste to it tho lol