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Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:04 pm
by BongoTraveller
Hi,
has anyone got any idea why this is happening?
I recently had a leaking hose, so got that replaced and got the coolant changed at the same time. Since then the alarm has been going off when I start the bongo, even though the coolant level not low (plenty in the tank).
When I've tried driving, the alarm stops after a minute or two.
I can see the coolant level is fine so I'm not hyper concerned, but it's obviously not ideal.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks.
Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:26 pm
by g8dhe
New coolant lays down an insulating anti-corrosion layer over anything metallic, including the sensing screw(s). Just remove the screw(s) and give it a clean with a wire brush and put it back in. If you don't remove the cap then very little coolant will be lost whilst you take the screw out as well.
Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:48 pm
by Bob
Agree, this is particularly true with the pink 'Long Life' coolant.
You don't need to fully remove the screw, either. Back it off a few turns and clean.
Engine cold of course.
Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:37 pm
by Northern Bongolow
check the battery condition. if its a diesel the glow plugs come on shortly before and during and after starting the engine, this combined with the effort needed to start the engine can push a dodgey battery low enough for the alarm to register it as low as they are voltage sensitive..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsJUuLu1cw0
Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:51 pm
by BongoTraveller
Thanks all, very helpful.
Just removed the screw and given it a clean - seems to have done the trick!
Hopefully that'll solve it for good. But I don't quite understand... Won't the coolant just re-coat it and I'll be back where I started?
Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:55 pm
by Gasy
It's coating abilities wear out after a while
You might have to do the screws a few times over the next couple of weeks
Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:33 pm
by Bob
Spot on, that's why the coolant has to be renewed.
Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 12:23 pm
by haydn callow
Contact Jo via our website and she will send out a couple of replacement screws FOC......THIS 'coating' of the screw should resolve itself after a short while depending on mileage.
Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:37 pm
by cmm303
I found it necessary to clean the LCA screw after a blue antifreeze change. I know the advice is normally kept for the red/pink OAT stuff but, paranoid, I'd done all the voltage checks and after 6 months of prolonged LCA alarms at switch-on I got the wire brush out and the alarm is now behaving.