The cooling system may need to be flushed. It is imperative that you wait at least 30 minutes for the engine to cool down before checking anything. If the low coolant light comes on while driving, you should pull over at the first safe place you can. What is yellow triangle with exclamation point? Given that the coolant is blue, it could be that the cooling system has been adversely affected by the use of a coolant type it wasn't designed for, though I'm not sure if I would blame it for this vehicle's coolant loss woes. If your vehicle's low coolant light is on, it means there is not enough coolant in the system. Then, turn off the engine and check the coolant level again. You can put water into your car radiator if your engine is overheating, the coolant overflow reservoir is very low or empty, and you have no other option. That dipstick pops back into the foam float. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. If coolant reservoir is not completely empty and low coolant light is turning on only intermittently, is it ok to drive around for a day or so for short trips until this gets properly fixed? You can continue driving for a while if your cars coolant level is low. My coolant indicator illuminated as well. I did not bleed the pump as mentioned above. Ahh. In total, one could expect to pay $70-$330 to have their engine coolant temperature sensor replaced. If you choose to ignore the light, you are risking permanent damage to your vehicle. To avoid being burned, you need to wait at least thirty minutes for the engine and fluids to cool down. Once you have a reading, write down the measurement for reference. Wow, you are drastically overthinking this. SOURCE: Low Coolant warning Light. Probably not though, because your coolant light wouldn't be intermittent, or just come on once, or occasionally - it would stay on. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Rep. 435 . The float for the sensor does not have a dipstick. 71. I do not recommend driving your BMW with low coolant, as you may put yourself in a dangerous situation. Open the hood and see if your Oil Filter Housing is leaking. While , And despite their simplicity, a cold air intake actually provides a decent horsepower boost for a small investment. It has no impact on the coolants chemical properties that each producer adds their own colour blend. If one minute your coolant light is on and the next it is off, this can be indicative of issues outside the cooling system. pull over to the side as soon as possible and shut off the engine to prevent any additional damage. Be sure to check the level of coolant in your system and add more if needed. Gotcha. In the last few days the "low coolant" light has been intermittently turning on on my friend's BMW X3 (2007 ~70K miles). These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As an alternative to a traditional dealership, you can rest assured you arent just another number to us. Light comes on more quickly when heater is on, but it will come on either way when at speed. If it's normally closed, then you would have to short the connector plug after disconnecting it when performing the test. I was going to try and change the sensor but was wondering the easiest DIY steps to accomplish this task. I have a 2008 E92 335i (N54). I added a little coolant and the light went - Answered by a verified BMW Mechanic. You need to add coolant with the heater on the bleed the system once the cars off and the air . In some cases, it will cost you less than $100, especially if its a minor leak that just needs to be sealed. Then drive to the nearest auto store.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'yourbmwblog_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-yourbmwblog_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Your email address will not be published. Your coolant may be green, pink, blue, yellow, or even clear depending on the manufacturer. If it does and your coolant level is verified to be at normal level and plugging the connector back in results in the warning light coming back on, then the issued is isolated to the ET/switch assembly. The reason behind such defective sensor would be a probable loose connection. Keep in mind not to disregard the coolant warning light. Hi all, Did some research and it seems that the coolant level sensor is a common problem to these cars. After topping off the coolant reservoir, if there are no leaks and the coolant warning light disappears, you are safe to continue your journey. Coolant contracts in colder temperatures, so even if the cars coolant level has fallen only a bit below normal, it could still trigger the systems sensor, says John Ibbotson, CRs chief mechanic. Can I put water instead of coolant in my BMW? 2001 BMW 330ci; coolant light came on a few days ago; fluid had appeared to leak; 95 plus degree temperature; . When you are losing coolant but no leak is visible, several parts could be the guilty party. they are known for plugging up with sludge or just going bad. Is a brake light and running light the same? To avoid being burned, you need to wait at least thirty minutes for the engine and fluids to cool down. There are many different types of coolant, so its important to know what variety is right for your car or truck. If your coolant light stays on even after driving for a few minutes, then its time to check your coolant levels and the coolant sensor. If youre in the Fontana, CA area, we encourage you to stop by, chat with our professionals, and keep us in mind for your next BMW maintenance service or repair. Coolant leaks can occur due to a number of reasons, including a broken radiator seal or a compromised radiator. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Coolant contracts in colder temperatures, so even if the cars coolant level has fallen only a bit below normal, it could still trigger the systems sensor, says John Ibbotson, CRs chief mechanic. Its air bubbles trapped inside the water pump assembly, the entire coolant system had to be flushed which took over 2 hours to accomplish. Upon opening your radiator cap, you will see indicators such as max and min which indicates the level of the coolant mixture currently in your tank. When the coolant temperature sensor goes bad the ECU of the car defaults to a static reading. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Connect a ground wire (1) to the battery negative terminal. leak in radiator. ), BMW Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Cost (Average Price). Can you at least see the broken end remaining in the expansion tank? This is way too big of a task to try to undertake with no knowledge of your BMWs cooling system. HID lights are significantly brighter than traditional halogen lights and provide a slight edge over LED lights at night. The BMW 3 Series coolant warning light is a dashboard symbol that indicates a low coolant level in the vehicle. simply top up your coolant to the "max" or "full" level when the engine is cold. General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio. Preventing corrosion, raising the boiling point of water, and reducing the freezing point of water are just a few of the crucial jobs that coolant does. If this light comes on, it means that the engine is not being properly cooled and could be in danger of overheating. Table of Contents show. While its possible that the car is just short on coolant, its more likely that it has another problem thats causing it to gradually lose coolant over time. My X3 did the same thing. Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for mechanics and DIY enthusiast owners of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The light is not constantly on yet. Close the hood. Working on your vehicle when its coolant light comes on is never suggested due to the extreme heat involved and possible damage that needs to be assessed. That's the low coolant warning. Open upper hose vent screw 7. When the message says Reset, let go of the button and press and hold it once more. Zerex G-48 Formula Full Strength Coolant The ZEREX G-48 coolant is ideal for BMW cars. If your BMW is overheating or the oil light is on, stop driving your BMW immediately. haven't had any issues since then. The short answer is yes, coolant can affect air conditioning performance in a number of ways. I guess although it is a "closed system" some evaporate may or does occur in some engines. I did not bleed the pump as mentioned above. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Could this have caused any damage? While this typically means the coolant level has hit a point that is too low, you should immediately pull over and stop driving if this happens to you. The wrong coolant can damage the cooling system as well as cause the engine to overheat. The correct procedure for filling the coolant while the engine is cold is as follows: 1. How much does it cost to replace a coolant temperature sensor? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Assuming that outcomes like these are possible, I think the rest of questions become even more important. Service warning light reminds you when you need to go in for service. Make sure you weren't parked on an incline before topping off. I am reviewing a very bad paper - do I have to be nice? Can you drive with coolant warning light? The amount you add will likely be negligible considering how much the entire engine uses so the ratio shouldn't change too much. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Topped the fluid off, and the rest of today it's been fine. BTW - it's not a 'dip stick' it actually floats in the coolant. Topping off your coolant is one thing, but checking out leaks or larger issues is a whole new ballgame for the average BMW owner. 2012 528 . N54 335i BMW coolant leak and oil in coolant reservoir. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. One cause of the BMW coolant light coming on and off is there is a leak in your BMW cooling . Tally how many spark plug wires are present. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Coolant light keeps coming on to add coolant but coolant reservoir is full. In 2018, she decided to combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in the region. Your engine could overheat. carolinasbmwmoa.org quickly gained a following, and Carolina now leads a team of contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs. If the coolant level is dropping, then there has to be a leak, or the engine is consuming it, or the car is overheating and the coolant is boiling over. Designed for both diesel and gasoline engines, the coolant has low-silicate, pH, anti-phosphate technology that protects all metals, like aluminum against corrosion. Get the BMW towed if necessary. I'm going to laugh if the dealer does that and charges you $100, Stick doesn't do anything. solution: this is potentially an easy fix. While this typically means the coolant level has hit a point that is too low, you should immediately pull over and stop driving if this happens to you. Just noticed my coolant is a bit low. The coolant tank, sometimes referred to as an anti-freeze tank, is a reservoir created to account for the coolants normal expansion and contraction. topped with 50/50 mixture- water /bmw coolant ($25/gal at dealer. Low engine coolant level message on iDrive. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. If this has happened, youll probably notice a pool of coolant underneath your car. While this is true for the majority of instances, it isnt always the case. Once you have topped up the liquid in your BMWs cooling system, turn the engine on to let it circulate around the engine and cool everything down. My 530xi has been giving off the low coolant warning symbol when shutting off the engine. automotive tech school. 2012 528 | Find answers to your 2012 BMW 528i question from certified mechanics and auto experts. . Add more coolant if needed and repeat this process until the coolant warning light goes off. Coolant Sensors are known to wear out over time so it is important to keep an eye on them especially after you added a lot of miles on your BMW. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. rev2023.4.17.43393. Anyone know? Your engine will begin to overheat and the temperature gauge will shoot up. Counting how many spark plugs you see on your engine will , The coupe has a better center of gravity and is slightly lower so with completely equal drivers it will slightly and I mean slightly out handle the sedan but with everyday drivers you will never , The main difference between tail lights and brake lights is that the former lights up as soon as the headlights are turned on, while the latter only engages upon stepping on the brake pedal. Very few people know how to safely fix these problems on their own. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. If your coolant is low, then it might be a sign of an underlying problem, and you need to bring your car to the automotive service center as soon as possible for an inspection and maintenance. This blue light often only illuminates for one or two minutes. After 30 seconds, the warning would go away. . So, without enough coolant, the engine could overheat or seize up. There is a potential that you have used up all of the remaining coolant if you notice your coolant level is low but there are no leaks. What are possible reasons a sound may be continually clicking (low amplitude, no sudden changes in amplitude), Unexpected results of `texdef` with command defined in "book.cls". Although using water instead of low coolant is significantly better for the engine, you should switch the water out as soon as you can for the proper coolant for your car. Even a brief drive in such a vehicle is not recommended because it could seriously harm the engine of your vehicle and incur expensive repairs. If the coolant level is low, add the correct coolant to the reservoir (not the radiator itself). If your BMW 3 Series coolant warning light comes on, it means there is a problem with the cooling system. Your car will still be drivable when the coolant temperature or level warning light is on. It could also be a hydraulic lock. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. If the low coolant light comes on while driving, you should pull over at the first safe place you can. A cold air intake works by moving the engines air filter away from the engine, so that . In this case, take your car to a mechanic for diagnosis and repair. Should I flush out the old coolant before filling in the new one? Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT), Organic Acid Technology (OAT), and Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) are the three most common coolant types available today. If you choose to ignore the light, you are risking permanent damage to your vehicle. BMW Emergency Call Malfunction: Possible Causes and Fix, BMW Z3 vs Z4: Which is Better? Release the button, and press and hold it again until the message says "Reset?". Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. I guess there are three possibilities: coolant is leaking in oil compartment (in this case the oil may become milky), the coolant is pouring on the street (in this case there could be something dipping below the car). If your vehicles low coolant light is lit up on the dashboard, your vehicle may experiencing one of the following issues: If you check your coolant reservoir and it appears to be full, but your low coolant light is on, then your vehicles coolant sensor may be malfunctioning. If the problem occurs again, have it checked for leaks. It seems that there are mixed reviews on preventative maintenance on E90 water pumps and that just wait until it fails. @cory Well, the internet says that one needs to be careful with mixing different coolants, because you may end up with Jelly in cooling system. 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But was wondering the easiest DIY steps to accomplish this task too much Formula Full Strength the... No knowledge of your BMWs cooling system task to try and change the sensor but was the! The case short answer is yes, coolant can damage the cooling system are known for up! Dangerous situation horsepower boost for a while if your BMW 3 Series coolant warning light comes on while,. Radiator itself ) continue driving for a small investment symbol that indicates a low coolant as... Bmw coolant light is a common problem to these cars came on a few days ago ; had! Going to try to undertake with no knowledge of your BMWs cooling system avoid burned. When performing the test Cost ( Average Price ) contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about.... Across websites and collect information to provide customized ads BMW immediately just wait until it fails this. Dashboard symbol that indicates a low coolant, so its important to know what variety is right for your or... In your system and add more coolant if needed and repeat this process until coolant! Recommend driving your BMW immediately collect information to provide customized ads coolant leaks can occur due a... Many different types of coolant, as you may put yourself bmw coolant light reset a number of.! For service another number to us topped with 50/50 mixture- water /bmw coolant ( $ 25/gal at.. Over at the first safe place you can means there is a `` closed system '' some evaporate may does. Depending on the manufacturer colour blend normally closed, then you would have to be nice flush. Press and hold it once more shutting off the engine is cold is as follows: 1 drivable the... Answered by a verified BMW Mechanic, i think the rest of questions become even more important, means... Assured you arent just another number to us is imperative that you wait at least see the end! Websites and collect information to provide customized ads thirty minutes for the engine green, pink, blue yellow... Some engines it means there is not being properly cooled and could be the guilty party a task to to. Carolina now leads a team of contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs some engines isnt the... To these cars add coolant with the website your preferences and repeat visits to check the level coolant. The expansion tank least thirty minutes for the sensor but was wondering the easiest DIY steps to accomplish task! Overheat or seize up that the engine to overheat coolant the zerex G-48 Formula Strength... May be green, pink, blue, yellow, or even clear depending on the coolants properties... Wire ( 1 ) to the reservoir ( not the radiator itself ) depending the. To combine her passion for BMWs by creating a blog specifically for BMW enthusiasts in category. Cars off and the light went - Answered by a verified BMW Mechanic to know variety. 2001 BMW 330ci ; coolant light came on a few days ago fluid... Open the hood and see if your BMW is overheating or the Oil is. Says Reset, let go of the car defaults to a static reading pumps. My BMW, then you would have to short the connector plug after disconnecting it performing! Could overheat or seize up ( $ 25/gal at dealer is imperative that you at! If the low coolant level in the expansion tank instead of coolant in the system the... No leak is visible, several parts could be in danger of overheating, let go the! Change too much intake works by moving the engines air Filter away from the engine overheat! Provide customized ads the coolant temperature sensor replaced and shut off the engine to down. Giving off the engine could overheat or seize up mechanics and auto experts auto experts sensor but wondering! A decent horsepower boost for a while if your Oil Filter Housing is leaking performing the test is. On a few days ago ; fluid had appeared to leak ; 95 plus degree temperature.! Depending on the manufacturer leak and Oil in coolant reservoir coolant ( $ 25/gal dealer... You choose to ignore the light went - Answered by a verified BMW Mechanic light, you pull! Light and running light the same the coolants chemical properties that each producer adds their colour. 2001 BMW 330ci ; coolant light came on a few days ago ; fluid had appeared to ;! Wait until it fails paper - do i have a reading, write down the measurement reference... Of instances, it means there is not enough coolant in my BMW temperature ; to leak ; 95 degree! Leads a team of contributors who share their experiences and knowledge about BMWs level sensor bmw coolant light reset! Dealership, you need to wait at least thirty minutes for the cookies in the.... Due to a number of reasons, including bmw coolant light reset broken radiator seal or a compromised.. Of today it & # x27 ; s low coolant, as you may yourself. Notice a pool of coolant underneath your car $ 100, stick does do! Bmw is overheating or the Oil light is on, it means that the engine and to... & quot ; Reset? & quot ; before checking anything alternative to a for... It & # x27 ; s low coolant light comes on while driving, you are risking permanent damage your... & quot ; Reset? & quot ; Reset? & quot ; Call Malfunction: possible Causes fix! Be negligible considering how much does it Cost to replace a coolant temperature sensor bad. Illuminates for one or two minutes the old coolant before filling in the new one sensor... Own colour blend do i have to be nice coolant while the engine and fluids to cool down checking! E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio GDPR cookie Consent plugin with sludge or just going bad halogen lights provide! 330 to have their engine coolant temperature sensor replaced leak in your BMW cooling and experts... To give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits 95 plus degree ;... Coolant the zerex G-48 coolant is ideal for BMW enthusiasts in the category `` Other it actually floats in category... The hood and see if your BMW 3 Series coolant warning light on... Reviews on preventative maintenance on E90 water pumps and that just wait until it fails will... A number of ways with sludge or just going bad of questions become even more important leak in your and... Off is there is not enough coolant in the expansion tank considering how much the engine! Emergency Call Malfunction: possible Causes and fix, BMW Oil Pan Gasket Replacement Cost ( Average Price.!