Howdy Everyone,

Proud new owner of a 1994 BMW 530i. Has a shitton of miles on it but it runs good -162,500 miles.

When I first got the car I was getting the dreaded washer level low and check coolant level messages. I have since replaced the washer level sensor and coolant sensor.

I no longer get the coolant message at startup - but I do randomly get it after I shut down the car after a 15-20 minute drive. If I start it back up after a few minutes, I'll get it again. The message that comes up is "Check Coolant" followed by a message stating to check the owners manual. I seem to remember the message from the other sensor saying "Check Coolant Level" or something along those lines - are these two totally separate error messages? If I get out after the warning and pop the hood and look at the coolant reseivoir - it appears to be full still - not below the cold line.

Could this message come on if the reseivior has been overfilled?

I attempted to bleed the coolant system this morning but for the life of me I can't find the freaking bleed screw. I heard it's supposed to be around the thermostat, is that correct? I would then need to trace the upper radiator hose to the engine to find the thermostat correct? Any suggestions here would greatly help me.

I've got a buttload of other questions - but this one is tops on my list and I don't want to bombard everyone at once...and this problem is driving me crazy!

Thanks again in advance for all the suggestions/help!

Ryan

I did some more troubleshooting with a multimeter, measure resistance - and it would appear that a resistance of 0 is normal for full - no error. I noticed that after I turned off the car after a 20 min drive, I got the error and measured the resistance of the sensor and it was in the rnage of 5 ohms. I then waited about 10 min and it was around to 2.5 or thereabouts - I decided at that point to try and unscrew the sensor and take a looka t it - there was a slight hiss but no overflowing and I noticed it almost appeared like the floater was stuck - I took it out and moved the floater up and down several times and it appears to move smooothly now - i put it back on the car and turned it on and no low coolant light.
Almost makes me think that the floater is getting stuck on my brand new sensor...

On the 525i there is a bleeder screw next to the radiator cap. You can use a quarter to turn it open. Check it when it's warm, if you get steam and a gurgle-gurgle then leave it open until you get straight coolant. Take off the cap and fill it to the proper level then let it set.

Check it again when it's cooled off-

The coolant level shouldn't be getting that low I don't think-

Aaron

On my 530i - there is no radiator cap........i'll look on the radiator itself for some type of device lik eyou mentioned to see if it might still be there...