Coolant Level Light on E36 328i

[Bekker]

i recently bought a 1998 E36 BM 328i convertable. for the past 3weeks the check coolant comes on but when checking the coolant it's fine.
i already unplugged the sensor on the bottle and cleaned it and turned the screw on top of the bottle to bleed it.

Now the question is do i replace the sensor or can it be something else.

 

[SP33DYV]

It's probably the expansion tank. It has a float inside. The float has a tendency to break. If you're lucky it's just the sensor at the bottom that needs to be replaced.:thumbdo:

 

[Bekker]

when i open the cap, i dont see a float. does that mean i must replace the tank

 

[Raybimmer]

Welcome to the forum .
The e36 328i has its floaton the bottom right hand side of the radiator . It sits just above the radiator hose . You can loosen the wiring connector then turn the nut to loosen and remove the float unit . The float moves up and down along the centre pillar .
It can be cleaned and replaced . This sometimes works but it normally is better to replace the unit .
Good luck .

 

[Bekker]

Thank you, will try that. hope the cleaning will work:rollsmile:

 

[BMcab328cpt]

i recently bought a 1998 E36 BM 328i convertable. for the past 3weeks the check coolant comes on but when checking the coolant it's fine.
i already unplugged the sensor on the bottle and cleaned it and turned the screw on top of the bottle to bleed it.

Now the question is do i replace the sensor or can it be something else.

Hi there

I have exactly the same car and exactly the same problem, Let me know if you find the issue.

D

 

[Venom]

Two things kill a car, no oil and no water. I'm no expert, but I changed my entire cooling system as precaution. I never had any faults, just know how dangerous these items can be if they fail. I would suggest taking the car to someone like Bruce's mechanical (Now called Brilliant Mechanical or Mech1). Ask them to diagnose the problem. Worst case they charge you for 1hr labour. I would not play games with it. Better to know for sure and it seems to be a common problem.

 

[slotcars1]

Two things kill a car, no oil and no water. I'm no expert, but I changed my entire cooling system as precaution. I never had any faults, just know how dangerous these items can be if they fail. I would suggest taking the car to someone like Bruce's mechanical (Now called Brilliant Mechanical or Mech1). Ask them to diagnose the problem. Worst case they charge you for 1hr labour. I would not play games with it. Better to know for sure and it seems to be a common problem.

I agree, changing the whole coolant system is a bit excessive though :idea:
all e36's will suffer from this error coming up at some point.

Chuck Norris way of removing the fault is to take out plug to expansion tank, cut and join the wires (completing the circuit as such).

This should remove the error coming up and as long as you keep an eye on coolant regularly etc. etc. it should solve your problem.

:thumbs:

else as said above, go to agents to sort out sensor and float... but its pricey.

 

[///Shaun]

If water is lost from the water bottle and no leaks are evident , nice to check if head gasket is not gone....just saying.

 

[Bekker]

i'm still in the dark with my coolant system. i have now replaced the coolant sensor with the float in the bottle. i tested it while it was still outside the expansion tank by moving the float up and down with my hand, it showed inside the car when float is down check coolant and when i move it up check coolant goes off.
i also disconnected my battery for more than 12hours to see if computer box might reset by itself, but still no luck.
i have to mention also that the check coolant only comes on when i switch the car off after i was driving.
when i start the car and while driving it doesnt come on.
If you guys have any other advice i will really appreciate it