If the low coolant indicator on your dashboard illuminates, your car may be having one of the following problems:
- The most frequent reason for the coolant light on your car to come on is that the coolant is low. While it’s possible that the car is just short on coolant, it’s more likely that it has another problem that’s causing it to gradually lose coolant over time. You should have your car checked out and serviced if this is the case.
- Faulty Sensor: Your vehicle needs a sensor that measures the amount of coolant in its engine in order to know when the coolant level is low. When the coolant level drops too low, a floating sensor in the coolant reservoir of the majority of automobiles activates, putting on the warning light.
Your vehicle’s coolant sensor may be broken if you check your coolant reservoir and it looks to be full but your low coolant signal is on. The majority of auto repair businesses are able to identify and replace faulty sensors.
In This Article...
What Elements Could Set Off the Coolant Light?
You might be startled to hear that a “low coolant” sign doesn’t always indicate that the coolant level is low; there could be other problems, such as failing parts that eventually cause the coolant level to drop. The low coolant indicator is alarming because most modern cars, including most BMWs, use coolant that is designed to last for a long time.
Of course, it’s also very conceivable that your coolant level is incorrect even though the lighted indicator indicates that it is correct. Low coolant might be a problem for your car’s cooling system, especially if it’s a high-performance automobile like a BMW that needs better operating conditions.
BMWs are essentially a sophisticated communication network. A number of sensors for various components and features of your car are used by the warning system to operate it. There are sensors designed specifically to monitor the level of coolant and how well the cooling system is working. These sensors may malfunction independently and alert the driver to a problem when none exists.
The coolant is moved about by the radiator. It must contain both the coolant and the system pressure in order to accomplish this. It does this using airtight seals, which are susceptible to deterioration or corrosion. The car might interpret low coolant when the cooling system’s pressure falls. In this situation, a sensor replacement will probably be necessary.
A broken radiator seal or a damaged radiator are two causes of coolant leakage, among other things. If you don’t regularly check your coolant levels and keep an eye out for leaks underneath your car or throughout your engine, you could find yourself on the side of the road with an overheated engine.
Causes of Coolant Light Illumination Often Occurrence
You might suppose that the reason your coolant light is on is that there isn’t enough or enough coolant in your vehicle. While generally speaking, this is accurate, it isn’t always the case. Other potential causes that are unrelated to the amount of coolant in your BMW include the following:
- heating up while towing a large load
- defective radiator fan
- obstructed radiator
- faulty water pump
- Defective serpentine belt
- Catalytic converter clogged
A skilled mechanic will need to resolve the majority of these problems. Very few people are proficient at successfully resolving these issues on their own. Filling up your coolant is one thing, but for the typical BMW owner, monitoring for leaks or bigger problems is a whole other ballgame.
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My coolant light started flashing last week, stayed on for a short while, and then went out. The handbook stated to add coolant, so I verified it. My service department told me to use green coolant, so I purchased what I required. The indication stick was located where the handbook said it should be when I opened the coolant cap (poking up just above the rim). The indicator came on and then went off because I added a little coolant just in case it was running low.
After going out for a day, the light turned on today and stayed on longer. The coolant level was also where the indication stick indicated it should be when I examined the temperature gauge, which is exactly where it has always been.
Anyone with any insight on what’s happening? The temperature hasn’t changed, so I’m not sure whether there is a real issue, but I don’t enjoy how the light flashed on and off.
the causes of low coolant levels
Most of the potential causes of low coolant require the diagnosis and repair of a skilled automotive mechanic because they are serious issues. Your car may have a variety of issues that contribute to low coolant levels, such as the following:
- reservoir leak or overflow tank
- water pump leak
- a radiator leak
- radiator hose leak
- a cracked or broken radiator seal that is compromising the coolant system’s pressure
- damaged head gasket causing coolant to burn (no leak)
I still get a low coolant warning light even if the coolant level is full.
Even if you add coolant, a Coolant Level Too Low alert could still appear. If your BMW has a coolant level sensor, you must first check it. The sensor may have an electrical problem that is causing it to send the warning message.
Even after adding coolant, the low coolant warning light could still come on if your coolant level is severely low. Either the car had been ignored or the coolant level was dangerously low. After one minute of operation, check the coolant level once more. If so, you might need to add more coolant.
Even though the coolant level is correct, is the BMW coolant warning message on? This might be brought on by changes in the outside temperature or by utilizing particular aftermarket coolant brands that are incompatible. Other possibilities include a bad coolant level sensor, a bad water pump, or a bad engine temperature sensor.
A line indicating high and low coolant levels might be seen in an older BMW’s translucent coolant reservoir. Back then, getting a coolant reading did not need removing the cap. BMW changed the way their cooling system worked and now use an expansion tank. They use the float design in place of the clear tank ( the rod that pops up).
Why is the coolant light on in my BMW?
It can startle you when the coolant light on your BMW illuminates. Any sign that your BMW isn’t operating properly should raise suspicions. If this occurs to you, you should immediately pull over and stop driving even though this normally indicates that the coolant level has fallen too low. Refilling your coolant could be a simple remedy, or you might need professional assistance to fix your BMW.
Why does the coolant light on my car keep flashing?
The coolant level being too low is the most frequent cause of the coolant light to glow. Your coolant tank may contain a floating sensor that activates the warning light when the level lowers. You might have to schedule a coolant change.
Leaks, whether in the reservoir or a line, are typically the source of low coolant levels. These leaks can be a major issue because they are difficult to identify and correct. Coolant can leak from a number of locations as it circulates through your engine, including hoses, the water pump, and the radiator.
Call your neighborhood garage or breakdown service right away to have your car recovered if you think there might be a leak.
It might simply be a sensor issue if you’ve tested the coolant level and for leaks and found no problems with either. The engine’s computer may be receiving inaccurate data from the sensor, which is why the coolant warning light is on.
Once again, you cannot resolve this on your own. A diagnostic check of your car’s computer by your neighborhood mechanic should identify the issue as a malfunctioning sensor. The sensor can then be changed, which ought to fix the issue.
How can I tell if the coolant in my BMW is leaking?
If you closely monitor the temperature gauge on your BMW, you might be able to spot an exterior leak. Your automobile could begin to overheat if you have coolant loss due to a leak. The smell is a second indicator of a coolant leak. If coolant leaks from the cooling system, you might smell something sweet.
What occurs if the incorrect coolant is used in a BMW?
The performance of the car can be hampered if the wrong coolant is used or if several types are mixed together. Additionally, the radiator’s corrosion may worsen. It’s crucial to remember that color alone cannot accurately identify the type of coolant you should use. The radiator, water pump, radiator hoses, cylinder gasket, and other components can suffer corrosion and other issues as a result of using the incorrect coolant. Having a qualified auto mechanic handle your vehicle’s maintenance is the greatest method to guarantee that you obtain the right coolant.
BMW coolant: Is it necessary?
In addition to controlling engine temperatures, the quality of your BMW coolant is essential for lubricating the water pump, guarding against corrosion and buildup, providing anti-freeze during the winter, and, in some models, assisting in cooling for engine and gearbox oil coolers. Not just any antifreeze will do; BMWs have special coolant needs (nitrite and phosphate free) to prevent build-up and corrosion of metal components. Along with BMW coolant, we also sell coolant additives like Red Line Water Wetter, which lower combustion chamber temperatures and elevate boiling points in order to prevent detonation and banging.
How often is coolant required for a BMW?
Typically, every 30,000 miles or every two years, you should have a BMW coolant cleanse conducted. Your car may be able to go longer between flushes in specific circumstances.
Which coolant is OK for my BMW?
For BMW vehicles, the ZEREX G-48 coolant is perfect. The coolant, which is made for both diesel and gasoline engines, contains low-silicate, pH, anti-phosphate technology that guards against corrosion in all metals, including aluminum.
It is diluted at a 1:1 ratio to protect the modern engine’s components from freezing in the winter and boiling over in the summer. Additionally, the combination is prepared in 5:7 ratios for maximum protection. It also includes a high-quality defoamer system and contains less silicon than the vehicle’s mandated 250 parts per million.