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Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:17 pm
by Tidmo
Welcome to my latest problem...
New battery fitted today. Coolant alarm chirrups as normal when ign first turned on and waiting for glow plug light to go out. All normal.
Now after the engine has started the alarm is constantly sounding.
Plenty of coolant in header tank no overheating issues.
Any ideas? I've pulled the fuse as its driving me mad!
Cheers

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:01 pm
by g8dhe
Remove the screw in the tank and give it a clean with a wire brush, refit.

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:03 pm
by Tidmo
Okay thanks. Will try that. How to stop the coolant peeing out? And will it need bleeding?
Thanks.

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:31 pm
by Darkstar
DO NOT remove the header tank filler cap, when you remove the screw there will be enough of a vacuum to stop coolant pouring out, make sure the coolant has cooled, if you have already opened the cap, replace and run the engine until hot then let it cool before removing screw, obviously dont leave the screw out for longer than you need to clean it just in case.

im sure if i'm wrong another member with more knowledge will shoot me down in flames :lol: .

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:57 pm
by Tidmo
Excellent. Thanks guys. Ill get the o/h out in a bit. Check her lightning reactions! :D

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:00 pm
by Poohbear
Or alternatively put your finger over the hole, or get someone else to. It's only a slight dribble. It only ever needs bleeding if the level drops below the bottom of the tank. Even if the level drops to the level of the screw (i.e. if you don't put your finger over the hole) it won't need bleeding. I wouldn't recommend that though :)

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:03 pm
by Tidmo
Thanks Pooh. Will need to sort another meet very soon. Especially as its getting warmer! Mind you it couldn't have been much colder before!

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:09 pm
by dom_e
Did you try writing as per my picture?

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 7:23 pm
by Tidmo
?? :oops:

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:19 am
by haydn callow
Darkstar wrote:DO NOT remove the header tank filler cap, when you remove the screw there will be enough of a vacuum to stop coolant pouring out, make sure the coolant has cooled, if you have already opened the cap, replace and run the engine until hot then let it cool before removing screw, obviously dont leave the screw out for longer than you need to clean it just in case.

im sure if i'm wrong another member with more knowledge will shoot me down in flames :lol: .
Nearly right.
When all is cold.
Remove the header tank cap ( to get rid of any last bit of pressure )
Replace the header tank cap.
Remove/clean/ replace screw.
Only a small dribble will be lost.
Check coolant level and adjust to ...level at full line when cold.

Let us know if it fixes the problem......if it was o.k. Before the battery change then it could be something else....

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:42 am
by Tidmo
Thanks Haydn, doing it at lunchtime so will keep you posted, :D

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 10:05 am
by teenmal
Have you recently remove the alarm wiring pos/neg and refitted,if so it might be worth checking the wiring is correct.

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 10:10 am
by haydn callow
You say it chirps as normal when you turn key.....then alarms constantly with engine running,,,,,,,I would be looking elsewhere for the fault......seems a big coincidence that it was all well before battery change.........dirty screw syndrome is gradual.

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:17 am
by Tidmo
Just cleaned the screw, topped up lost coolant. Usual chirrup on starting then constant alarm sounding still...
I havent done anything wiring wise yet (move the feed to ign only) only replaced a duff starter battery.
Off to Cornwall next weekend so would either like it working again or find a way of bypassing the alarm sounding.

Re: Coolant alarm

Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 11:33 am
by rita
Tidmo wrote:Just cleaned the screw, topped up lost coolant. Usual chirrup on starting then constant alarm sounding still...
I havent done anything wiring wise yet (move the feed to ign only) only replaced a duff starter battery.
Off to Cornwall next weekend so would either like it working again or find a way of bypassing the alarm sounding.

A long shot,have you maybe got the + and - wires mixed up.

Or maybe the alarm doesn't like your new battery for some reason.(higher voltage)