Help :( ... Radiator light permanently on my 2001 E46

[jmichaelvr]

Hi All

I Recently bought my E46... Only thing wrong was the radiator light is permanently on. The guy I bought it from took the car for a service (on 19 August 2011) and they told him nothing was wrong, just some sensor or float box shenanigans, but the coolant system is fine.

So 1) What could be the problem?
2) What would the cost be?

Found this on the Internet:

"Well, the float in the coolant recovery tank (it gives you a visual indication of coolant level) has a magnetic bar attached to it. This bar closes the coolant level sensor switch in the bottom of the tank when the coolant level is low. If the magnetic bar becomes detached from the float the coolant level sensor switch could be on continously or intermittanly. You need to replace the tank to replace the magnetic bar as the float can not be removed from the tank without destroying the tank.

So, if after replacing the coolant level sensor switch the low coolant lite still comes on, and the coolant level is fine (as evidenced by the float), then you'll probably need to replace the coolant recovery tank. Easy DIY. While you're at it, flush the cooling system and replace the coolant with a 50/50 mix of BMW coolant and distilled water only"

Is this right???? :flyfun:

If so what is the price of installing a new sensor and or coolant float box/coolant recovery tank?

( :bangdesk: Frak I'm a Psychologist and know Jack about these things...)

Thanks
J

 

[moranor@axis]

hope you have been checking the water level often...

 

[jmichaelvr]

Thanks
Yeah water level fine....Temperature also fine.
:thumbs:

But light is on Permanently :thumbdo:

Is it sensor? "Float Box"? "Magnetic Strip"? "Coolant Expansion Tank"? Some Coolant System Pressure thing?

I know nothing is seriously wrong though because the service dudes said I should not worry "Nothing is broken" but damn I dont want the frakkin' light on... I want to know when the coolant system is in Peril... Na mean?

How do I troubleshoot this SOAB :thinking:

 

[moranor@axis]

i dont know how the level sensor works...

but if the cooling system has not been overhauled you should do it anyway its the only real weak point of the engine and it is not very expensive and worth the while...

 

[zaleonardz]

Howdy bud,

If your in the area, pop past. I'll take a look.

There is a sensor plugged into the bottom of the expansion tank, it could be that the sensor went poof, or one of the wires have been broken.

As what has been advised, if you have not done an expansion tank in a while, it is a serious maintenance item on the E46's. I would include a waterpump, as well as a system pressure test just for the hell of it.

Drop me a pm, I should be able to assist.

 

[akash]

My brother in law had the same issue with his 318 e46, he just bougt a new expansion tank and the light went off

 

[Sankekur]

+1 on it probably being a sensor issue and to do a complete coolant system overhaul if it has not been done before.

 

[moranor@axis]

when i got my car i replaced everything, but the water pump... guess what i had to replace recently...
the cooling system should be overhauled every 100 000km

 

[Sankekur]

Agreed one of the first things I got for my car was a waterpump, only fitted it recently, didn't see anything wrong with the one that came of my car but still at least I know it is going to be good for some time to come.
Overhauling the cooling system will give some piece of mind and it is pretty cheap insurance