whining low coolant alarm.....

[Pablobongo]

During this cold snap, I have noticed, upon starting and for a few minutes after, the odd whine/chirrup from my LCA . Usually happens on test and if I operate any electrics, as in wipers, elec mirrors and so forth, after a couple of minutes, all is well again. Anyone else noticed this happening?

[jaylee]

Alternator problem??

[Pablobongo]

Alternator problem??

Dont know about that....just a faint chirrup and light flash from the low coolant alarm.....didnt think this was indicative of a alternator fault, all other electrics are ok, and it only happens just after starting the engine for the first time in the morning, and seems to have started happening in the last few days of sub-zero temperatures...

[missfixit70]

I think it may depend on where you took you live feed from, pretty sure this has come up recently, have a search or give Haydn a shout.

[jaylee]

I'd do the same, PM Haydn... I'm sure i read something about the alternator thing?
I don't want to cause you alarm, I talk sometimes...

[Pablobongo]

I think it may depend on where you took you live feed from, pretty sure this has come up recently, have a search or give Haydn a shout.

Thanks Kirsty.....took the live feed from the back of the ciggy socket, as recommended by the factsheet

[missfixit70]

Don't forget it's supposed to do a self test every time you turn the ignition. It could also be indicative of coolant concentration a bit low I think.

[jaylee]

I think it may depend on where you took you live feed from, pretty sure this has come up recently, have a search or give Haydn a shout.

Thanks Kirsty.....took the live feed from the back of the ciggy socket, as recommended by the factsheet

Got a leisure battery perchance..?

[Pablobongo]

I think it may depend on where you took you live feed from, pretty sure this has come up recently, have a search or give Haydn a shout.

Thanks Kirsty.....took the live feed from the back of the ciggy socket, as recommended by the factsheet

Got a leisure battery perchance..?

No leisure battery............

[B*Witched Blingo]

Well that is two of us with the same issue. Just a couple of occurances when it has been really, really cold.

Mine gave off a very weak chirp and a half lit glow of the LED. I wondered if my unit was wearing out and scared myself.

Mine happened after I turned a slight right corner. On investigation it turned out that I needed a thimble full of a top up. It hasn't done it again. My levels looked fine on the drive as they are checked regularly, to the point Ady and Amie think I am paranoid.

I contacted Hayden and he had not heard of this happening before and asked we report back any findings. I'll give it another weeks running before I feed back.

Another suggestion made to me was that perhaps the in line fuse holder is a tad slack and so as I turned the fuse was loosing the connection.

We camped last weekend in Cheshire and it was minus something and it didn't churp then.

We are in for MOT next week and I am damn sure I will ask the boys to have a good check of everything I can't see whilst up on the ramps.

Haden will be interested to here I'm sure.

[francophile1947]

They do chirrup a little bit longer when it's very cold but I believe B*Witched Blingo has got it right Mine did the same until I put a small amount of extra coolant in - the coolant shrinks when it's very cold and gives you a reduced level for a while

[jaylee]

So it's not an advanced warning of an impending alien invasion then..?

...I'll beam myself up.

[mikexgough]

And to help you check the level......in the absence of a Haydn lolly stick.....an alternative dipstick...... pick up a handful of the coffee stirrers from Ronald McDonalds place.... I have a collection in my glovebox......... when you dip into the coolant you get a lovely pink/red mark from the coolant....quick measure of 20mm and your done

I think the long chirp can also mean a loose/dirty probe on the header tank..... Haydn will tell you if I am not barking up the wrong tree

[mikeonb4c]

Well that is two of us with the same issue. Just a couple of occurances when it has been really, really cold.

Mine gave off a very weak chirp and a half lit glow of the LED. I wondered if my unit was wearing out and scared myself.

Mine happened after I turned a slight right corner. On investigation it turned out that I needed a thimble full of a top up. It hasn't done it again. My levels looked fine on the drive as they are checked regularly, to the point Ady and Amie think I am paranoid.

I contacted Hayden and he had not heard of this happening before and asked we report back any findings. I'll give it another weeks running before I feed back.

Another suggestion made to me was that perhaps the in line fuse holder is a tad slack and so as I turned the fuse was loosing the connection.

We camped last weekend in Cheshire and it was minus something and it didn't churp then.

We are in for MOT next week and I am damn sure I will ask the boys to have a good check of everything I can't see whilst up on the ramps.

Haden will be interested to here I'm sure.

My experience (with LCAs ) mirrors yours exactly Chell. 2 or 3 occasions since fitted, I've needed a small top up. Very mysterious - evaporation from an imperfect header tank seal maybe (no idea really!)?

[mister munkey]

I can 3rd that after a little over two years with mine, I reckon its an even cleverer gadget than we give it credit for.

Its possible to identify a variety of chirps & whines on start up, after a while.

For about 18 months I lived with a weep that guzzled about a pint of coolant a week, usually topping up on a Sunday. The whine got noticeably longer come Thursday/Friday then by Sunday it would stay on at the first click of the key, thus hitting the low mark.

In the early months it was just topped up with water which resulted in the self test blip getting longer as the mixture became more diluted. Once coolant was changed (& lesson learnt ) it became a crisp chirp again.

Haydn may be able to explain how it seems to know.