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Thread: CHECK COOLANT LEVEL msg

  1. #1
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    Unhappy CHECK COOLANT LEVEL msg

    newbie here...hopefully someone can help with this problem i'm having.

    lately my '94 325is has been flashing the CHECK COOLANT msg (sometimes) when i shut off the engine...doesn't seem like the coolant level is low though?
    I check it when the engine is cooled down overnite and levels are full.
    problem with the overflow tank possibly?

    also get a beepbeepbeep sound sometimes when i'm driving but no msg on the led screen?

    are these big problems???

    thanx for the help!

    forgedcbuser at gmail dot com

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by 000is View Post
    newbie here...hopefully someone can help with this problem i'm having.

    lately my '94 325is has been flashing the CHECK COOLANT msg (sometimes) when i shut off the engine...doesn't seem like the coolant level is low though?
    I check it when the engine is cooled down overnite and levels are full.
    problem with the overflow tank possibly?
    Some cars do this on startup/shutdown, it could be a few things. The float sensor in the tank could be bad, or the connections on the sensor could be corroded.

    also get a beepbeepbeep sound sometimes when i'm driving but no msg on the led screen?

    are these big problems???
    Yes, your car is going to explode.

    Nah, chances are your MEMO function is turned on, it will beep three times every hour. This shows up as a O))) in a corner of the OBC somewhere, hit memo until that disappears.
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by CrazyCoder View Post
    Some cars do this on startup/shutdown, it could be a few things. The float sensor in the tank could be bad, or the connections on the sensor could be corroded.
    yah...hoping it's a simple thing but just want to know what to point out to my mechanic.
    i did read about other instances where even though the temp gauge was normal/centered the engine would overheat causing cracking, etc of head gaskets...let's hope not.

    Quote Originally Posted by CrazyCoder View Post
    Yes, your car is going to explode.

    Nah, chances are your MEMO function is turned on, it will beep three times every hour. This shows up as a O))) in a corner of the OBC somewhere, hit memo until that disappears.
    i don't think i've ever even used the memo fn but i'll check it out.
    i also read about that temp issue where it beeps if it's severely cold outside...and it hasn't been that cold here in NYC.

    thanx for the help CC!

  4. #4
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    Or someone set your LIMIT button and you're exceeding the preset max speed, or the temperature is below 37 degrees F, or yes, the memo is on.
    Coolant sending unit could be bad, mine flashed a few times after I got a new rad, just added a few ounces to bring it to level and no probs since.

  5. #5
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    Expansion tank has a sensor that can go bad. I wouldnt worry about it too much, just make sure you have enough water/coolant

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by 000is View Post
    newbie here...hopefully someone can help with this problem i'm having.

    lately my '94 325is has been flashing the CHECK COOLANT msg (sometimes) when i shut off the engine...doesn't seem like the coolant level is low though?
    I check it when the engine is cooled down overnite and levels are full.
    problem with the overflow tank possibly?

    also get a beepbeepbeep sound sometimes when i'm driving but no msg on the led screen?

    are these big problems???

    thanx for the help!

    forgedcbuser at gmail dot com
    Are you overheating? If not, you might have a bad sensor. I would bleed the cooling system first.
    The beep sound you might be getting every hour if you have the OBC's "Memo" activated.

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  7. #7
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    yup...the beep was from the memo being set inadvertently...thanx for that guys.

    another thing i forgot to mention was that the passenger side floormat seemed to have some sort of fluid collected (antifreeze maybe?)...
    and the other nite after it rained,
    i opened the door to find that both mats had collected water?
    sometimes when i get a car wash, water comes in thru the floor vents but never anything like this...?

  8. #8
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    replace the sensor

    Far too much to list

  9. #9
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    I had that problem too. I had it serviced and flushed today, haven't seen the message yet.

  10. #10
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    I had that problem before, turned out that I needed to have the system bled thoroughly and everything's been fine since.

  11. #11
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    I didn't read any of the other responses, but this is classic symptom that you need to bleed your coolant system.

    For the next week, once a day after a longer drive (30 minutes driving) pop your hood and using a Phillips screwdriver unscrew your bleeder port. I guarantee your problem will be fixed after doing this for a week

    edit: after air comes out... makes sure you tighten it again

    '92 325is 5sp

  12. #12
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    That is wrong info.. hot water will spray all over you. Bleed it as it warms up by overflowing the tank with water

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by MJFX328 View Post
    That is wrong info.. hot water will spray all over you. Bleed it as it warms up by overflowing the tank with water
    +1. And turn the fan on high speed... best done in the morning with the engine cold. Turn on fan first, do not start car, open resevoir, unscrew bleed screw and add coolant/distilled mixture slowly until u see a nice even flow of coolant coming out of the bleeder screw.

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  14. #14
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    what is coolant? jk...
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  15. #15
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    I had the check coolant message too. I found that my sensor was fine and so were my levels. My issue was the black connector that hooks to the sensor. It was making a bad connection so all i did was open the black plug up (takes a small screwdriver to pry it open), crimp the connectors slightly with pliers, and close it all back up. No check coolant light since.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by sPoofe36 View Post
    I didn't read any of the other responses, but this is classic symptom that you need to bleed your coolant system.

    For the next week, once a day after a longer drive (30 minutes driving) pop your hood and using a Phillips screwdriver unscrew your bleeder port. I guarantee your problem will be fixed after doing this for a week

    edit: after air comes out... makes sure you tighten it again



    is it still april fools day?


  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by QUART3R View Post



    is it still april fools day?

    was thinking the same thing after that response

    the radiator is fairly new...less than 2yrs old so would it need to be flushed?

    and WHY would there be fluid on my floor mats?

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by 000is View Post
    WHY would there be fluid on my floor mats?


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  19. #19
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    Just because it only does it on startup/shutdown doesn't mean it's a sensor fault and not really losing coolant...

    My car loses about half a gallon a day right now, and the light only comes on at startup/shutdown if I don't top it off... (Yes, new rad/tank are on the way...)
    -Boondoggie

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by 000is View Post
    was thinking the same thing after that response

    the radiator is fairly new...less than 2yrs old so would it need to be flushed?

    and WHY would there be fluid on my floor mats?
    b/c the heater core is up inside the dash, above the footwells. If it leaks (rare but it does happen) then coolant will drip down and sog the carpeting/floor mats. Sounds like a sticky mess to me!

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  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by m2pc View Post
    b/c the heater core is up inside the dash, above the footwells. If it leaks (rare but it does happen) then coolant will drip down and sog the carpeting/floor mats. Sounds like a sticky mess to me!
    yah...luckily it only spilled on my mats and not the rug.
    what usually causes this?
    hasn't happened since last wk...but the water leaking thru happens EVERY time i get a wash or if it rains moderately heavy.

  22. #22
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    car's with my mech now...he says there's definitely leakage coming from thru the vents (not the doors) so he's trying to locate the problem.

    also there was a small leak/crack in the radiator and it was failing the pressure tests...hence the check coolant msg's.

    suggestions anyone?

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