LCR - Engine temp/coolent light playing up???

[andyGbeatz]

Hi

anyone had the same problem?

some mornings when I start the car, the engine coolent light flashes and beeps 3 times at me indicating either the engine coolent is too low or too high!

its neither of the above and can only imagine its a faulty sensor - is this the case?

easy fix?

thanks..

 

[dan__smith]

Probably a sensor, get VAG-COM on it and that'll tell ya! Maybe someone close by with one...Unfortunatly I'm in Mongolia

 

[Banana Man]

I have same issue and to be honest just ignore it. Fairly common sensor fault. Dealers would replace entire coolant tank but when I can be bothered I will try cleaning the sensor probes etc

 

[Big_daddy]

ive get that some times in a blue moon, only come sup on early morning thing, the thing is it hasnt left a fault code so i cant check it. just hope it dosnt effect the performance of mines

 

[Feel]

Coolant level warning - check there's enough coolant, but it is a common fault for the sensor that's moulded in the header tank to go faulty.

Although I found it easy to clean the sensor probes by scraping them gently with a small screwdriver, you'll probably feel some scale come of.

Have a search for "three beeps" very common, especially as the mornings get colder.

 

[StuLCR52]

had this problem just gently run a flat head screw driver down the prongs, removed the slight corrosion, used to beep everytime i started the car even with prefect levels of fluid, ive never heard it since!

 

[markoos]

Just had this while up in Speyside for a week-happened after 2 particularly cold nights,and coolant level was fine.

 

[stewbie55]

had this problem just gently run a flat head screw driver down the prongs, removed the slight corrosion, used to beep everytime i started the car even with prefect levels of fluid, ive never heard it since!

Same here, had it on my LC and now my LCR. A few seconds with a flate blade screwdriver and its fixed for another year!

 

[CupraUK]

I just ignore mine, its gone by April

 

[oldman]

got it this morning on the old TDi.
ignored it all way to work (30miles), and i use it to confirm it is effing cold out along with the due and can see breath in the air.

Winter is coming...

P.S - where is the sensor so i can clean when 5mins are available to me

 

[Feel]

With the engine cold, take the blue cap off the coolant tank, inside there's two metal "prongs" or thin rods. That's 'em.

 

[jayblue]

I replaced my coolant temp sensor yesterday expecting that to clear the 3 beeps problem, got in the car this morning and off the warning went as usual. Come back in the house to do a forum search of other causes for the beep, saw this thread, did the above "prong cleaning," got back in the still stone cold car and... its fine now.

Months of enduring that beeping every morning and £25 for a new sensor - all i needed to do was clean the prongs! Nice tip though guys thanks. At least my sensor should be good for a while too now lol.

 

[oldman]

cheers feel, something to add to list of jobs at weekend

 

[satilaboy]

i'll try the prong clean thing! is the coolent a dealer product or can i get the same stuff from halfrauds?

 

[Big_daddy]

i'll try the prong clean thing! is the coolent a dealer product or can i get the same stuff from halfrauds?

recommend stealersa or gsf, dont trust halfrauds as i think you not suppose to mix coolant with theirs

 

[Banana Man]

just wondering if the beeps are more than just level indication as beeps only happen when its been cold. I tested my coolant and its about 17% antifreeze but in the handbook it suggests 40% of g12 antifreeze. Assuming the systems never leak maybe prongs actually measure that by electrical resistance or maybe more basic it just warns you if temp has dropped to freezing in the coolant bottle.
any thoughts?

 

[Feel]

But when you clean them or replace the bottle, the three beeps goes away. If they were there to detect the freezing coolant, you would still get the three beeps.

 

[andycupra]

just wondering if the beeps are more than just level indication as beeps only happen when its been cold. I tested my coolant and its about 17% antifreeze but in the handbook it suggests 40% of g12 antifreeze. Assuming the systems never leak maybe prongs actually measure that by electrical resistance or maybe more basic it just warns you if temp has dropped to freezing in the coolant bottle.
any thoughts?

dont think so, as the bleeping tends to come on more if you dont drive away straight away. Or alternatively, if the bleeps come on, after a few corners, turn the ignition off and then on again and the bleeping/flashing stops.

It happens mainly when its cold, - probably due to the coolant level being slightly lower due to the cold temps. If there is any scale on the prongs this reduced the effectiveness of the sensors but only in combination with the cold weather does this lead to a faulty reading.

Personally if i do get the bleeps i always turn the ingition off and on after a short distance (at a safe spot) as there is always that possibility that the reading is actualy correct and your coolant and leaked...

Maybe we should relocates the expansion tank like they do the brake fluid on bikes, eg on the dash!

 

[kez]

gonna go clean mine, as mine does it every morning.

 

[andyGbeatz]

WOW common problem I see. thanks everyone for ya tips!

Will definintly give my prongs a good clean tonight. Finger crossed. will let ya know..