Flashing Coolant Light

[randamonia]

Hi
Went out to turn the engine over as the van has been stood for a week or so and after a few seconds the coolant light starts flashing. I've had a look in the wiki etc so a few things to check but assuming my coolant level is ok and the temperature gauge shows normal am I ok to drive until I can get to tracing down the fault e.g earth, bad connection etc. I haven't run it up to temperature yet as thought I'd beter have a read up first in case there's a major issue.

Thanks folks.

[Roydini]

Before we go any further. Just to make sure, the coolant light is supposed to flash for a few seconds on turning the ignition. Was the light coming on straight away like this or after a minute or so?

[randamonia]

The light was coming on after 30 seconds or so. I ran it for a few minutes and it continued to flash.
After a restart I got the same thing. Not had the van long but not noticed this before. Guess I should run it up a bit longer.

[tonytech]

Have you actually checked the coolant level?
The tank on the left hand side inside the engine bay should be completely full.
Not the tank behind the number plate flap.

Its a bad idea to drive without the light as loosing coolant means rapid engine damage.
PS tell us what engine you have.
T

[Roydini]

OK. In that case it is likely that the coolant level is low. The light flashes under three different (normal) circumstances.

1. On starting the ignition for a few seconds or so.
2. If the coolant level is low.
3. If the coolant temperature gets too high - assuming that the guague/indicator and the temp sensor are working correctly this would normally happen after the needle on the coolant guage gets about 3/4's of the way up.

There's no way your engine will be overheating after after only a couple of minutes so I would expect that the light is indicating a low coolant level.

What you need to do is check the level in the expansion tank. This is the tank that is located inside the engine bay, NOT the one behind the registration plate flap. The level in the expansion tank should be right to the top, so it's spilling out the top when you screw the cap back on. Top up with distilled water if possible and use some antifreeze too is the level is extremely low - you don't want to dilute the antifrezze level too much. However be careful what antifreeze you use as it can be a bit of a can of worms. Have a look at the WIKI for advice.

If the level was fine to begin with, or if topping up has no effect on the light then it is possible that the coolant level sensor is buggered or maybe just dirty. The sensor is screwed into the top of the expansion tank. Unscrew it and give the two prongs a clean with a tissue or something - they can get a bit grubby over time. If this still doesn't work then consider replacing the sensor, they are only a few quid from brickwerks and very easy to fit.

Let us know how you get on.

[randamonia]

Excellent! Thanks very much! Will check it all out tomorrow. Planning a mini service at the weekend so may add a coolant change to the list anyway as I have no idea when it was last changed (assuming I don't have a bigger issue).
Thanks for the heads up on the coolant types, was reading that the other day. I know what is in now is pink which as I understand is the right stuff.
Thanks again.

[Roydini]

A very good idea doing the coolant change mate. I think that, and regular oil/filter changes are the two best things you can do for these engines.

When changing the coolant it's worth thoroughly flushing out the whole system as well as just draining the old stuff. There's plenty info in the WIKI on how to do it all properly so you don't need to think about it again for a few years at least. Read up on the procedure before hand and order in any spare parts you might need before you start. It's a good time to replace sensors, seals, dalek caps etc and give the whole coolant system a once over. Doesn't need to be a massive job, easy done in an afternoon, but try to get a willing volunteer to help with the bleeding process once you've refilled the system, it's much easier with two people!

[silverbullet]

If all else is ok, iirc the fix for a dicky warning light is to replace the capacator inside the coolant gauge.
I will try and find a link...needs to be in the wiki

[silverbullet]

http://www.vanagonauts.com/Warning-Light-Fix241.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[marlinowner]

Pull out the "relay", number 42 or 43, if the light stops flashing then the fault is at the expansion tank, either low coolant, faulty sensor or bad contact, or a faulty relay. I has a bad contact inside the relay, fixed by resoldering. If the light keeps flashing, its probably the gauge.

[CovKid]

If constantly flashing, good chance connector is off in engine bay or sensor furred up. You'd get that from first turn of ignition key though.

[marlinowner]

On my van, if the sensor is disconnected you get the startup flashing, then the light goes out, then starts permanently flashing again a few seconds later.

[marlinowner]

Also if there is an intermittent fault, the light will keep flashing anyway until the circuit is reset by turning the ignition off.

[ghost123uk]

Also if there is an intermittent fault, the light will keep flashing anyway until the circuit is reset by turning the ignition off.

True, and a good point

[randamonia]

A wealth of information here, thank you!!

As it turns out it was just low coolant levels Now I need to work out if I have a leak somewhere or this is just a result of poor maintenance. I've only had the van a few weeks and didn't realise to check the expansion tanks as well as the filler tank behind the number plate so not sure either way. I have a 150mile run tomorrow so should see from that if I'm losing anything - spare water and AA card at the ready.

So weekends jobs will now be fit propex, oil change, coolant change, fuel pipe checks and anything else I find to do.

Thanks again folks.