11 replies to this topic

[Soren]

Just changed the coolant expansion reservoir as the old one had started to leak.

 

After a bit of struggle, every thing seems ok, no air in the system (as far as I can tell, coolant comes out of the front bleed nipple, and the one I could locate close to the engine block), and temperature is stable at 84degC, but I have the coolant warning light.

 

What puzzles me is that:

• If I short the connections on the coolant sensor cable, light goes out (well, ok that could indicate a faulty sensor)
• If I move the sensor to the old reservoir and fill it with water, I get no coolant light
• If I tip the new reservoir such that the filler cap is partly covered by coolant, -light goes away. When leveled again, the light comes back on
• No lose fit of sensor or cable, everything seems snug

The new reservoir is from Bilstein.

The sensor seems to be some kind of proximity sensor. I'm not actually sure how it is supposed to work. Wondering if it could be down to different wall thickness or something like that.

 

Any good advice before ordering a new sensor and perhaps also reservoir to start iterate?

 

The car is a Speedster Turbo.

 

Thanks!

Søren

[Nelly Vx]

Did you buy an after market coolant tank ? Mine had a new tank fitted an auto aux one . I had the same fault. The last owner had fitted it with a new sensor and the light was still on. I’ve since fitted a genuine tank and the light is now off ::

[joshua]

I’ve got the same problem since I replaced the tank. The coolant light is permanently on except when cornering hard!
I wonder if the magnetic sensor float or whatever it is has been fitted upside down.

[Horace]

I believe that non standard coolant tanks have a slightly smaller bore hole for the sensor.  Therefore, you think the sensor is fitted correctly, but it is not as 'deep' in the cast as it should be.  

[Madmitch]

I vaguely recall something about using only an original GM part when I replaced mine about five years ago, that worked fine.  As you surmise it is something to do with the sensor fit.

[hairy]

I have same problem with non-OEM tank. Temperature gauge still works fine though so I just live with it.

[F757lkk@gmail.com]

Sorry to revive an old thread..... but....  ive just replaced the header tank on my VXT as the old one was leaking. Now the coolant level light is on. I got the new header from eliseparts.com

 

The dash temp was hovering around 80 degrees all the time the light was on and the coolant level hasnt dropped, albeit im giving it time to cool so i can check its cold level.

 

Are the sensors a common failure? (43k car) and more importantly is the car still ok  to drive if the dash temp is good and theres plenty of coolant in the header tank?

Edited by number-1, 30 March 2021 - 12:31 PM.

[F757lkk@gmail.com]

I presumed the eliseparts one would be OEM but turns out it isnt lol. I will try and source a GM one

[Soren]

Now, finally, I have gotten rid of the red coolant light.

 

Long story short: I contacted Bilstein about the incompability between their coolant reservoir and the OEM sensor, and they sent me a new tank right away. I call that really good service, however I wouldn't say the same about this specific coolant tank, as the new one didn't work with the sensor either (and Bilstein has discontinued their own sensor).

 

I have checked the sensor with a magnet, and it works, just not with the Bilstein tank.

 

An original tank ordered, and after the package had collected some dust I finally swapped for the new, original tank last night, and now everything seems perfect.

 

(I guess this means I have two Bilstein reservoirs for free pickup if any interest, -they are in Copenhagen area though, or for the expense of shipping from EU)

[oblomov]

 

Sorry to revive an old thread..... but....  ive just replaced the header tank on my VXT as the old one was leaking. Now the coolant level light is on. I got the new header from eliseparts.com
 
The dash temp was hovering around 80 degrees all the time the light was on and the coolant level hasnt dropped, albeit im giving it time to cool so i can check its cold level.
 
Are the sensors a common failure? (43k car) and more importantly is the car still ok  to drive if the dash temp is good and theres plenty of coolant in the header tank?

 

I had the same problem with an Eliseparts one. Returned it for a refund and bought OEM, but not before I'd bought a replacement sensor which wasn't needed.

[hairy]

I thought it was to do with the tank not pressurising due to the cap rather a level sensor problem?

[siztenboots]

tbh even the OE ones do not last that long , the inserts in the two ports for turbo and engine coolant over time develop small cracks

 

I might see if a BMW E46 sensor works