Recently, I've been getting the 'STOP' warning flashing with the water icon lit up on my 307. And on the display above the radio it also says coolant level is low and needs filling up. Thing is, it's wrong as there's always enough coolant and the gauge never goes to overheating. When I've gone to top it up, I can see plenty of water. So I pour some more water in right to the top and the messages disappear. Topped it up again this morning right to the top, the message disappeared but this time, it came back. So whatever controls the messages is playing up or being oversensitive. I'm going to take the car to an auto electrician but any idea what might cause this?
My dashboard is lying
- Thread starter Merlin5
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Caporegime
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Plug or sensor on the coolant expansion tank wiring is bust.
Check it out, or replace the tank.
When you say 'top it up right to the top' what do you mean?
The bottle should only be filled to the 'Max' line.
Check it out, or replace the tank.
When you say 'top it up right to the top' what do you mean?
The bottle should only be filled to the 'Max' line.
Either a sensor has gone, or you have a problem with your cooling system.
Just because it has a high level of coolant showing, doesn't mean that there isn't an airlock or the system is getting pressurized in some way.
Just because it has a high level of coolant showing, doesn't mean that there isn't an airlock or the system is getting pressurized in some way.
It sounds like you're literally filling the expansion bottle up as much as it'll take? Whilst it'll just escape through the overflow when hot it's really not a good thing to be doing! As mentioned don't fill above the max line
It sounds awfully like the sensor is gubbed as per above.
It sounds awfully like the sensor is gubbed as per above.
Hmm, so it could be the sensor, coolant tank, wiring on tank or an airlock. I'll have to get it checked out professionally, I wouldn't have a clue.
I guess so yeah, but I topped it up till it's almost overflowing.
I guess so yeah, but I topped it up till it's almost overflowing.
Caporegime
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I guess so yeah, but I topped it up till it's almost overflowing.
You really want to take some fluid out so it's only full to max, you might overpressure the system.
I'll do that but to be honest, it's been showing these messages even after the car has been serviced where the water is at the correct level.
The sensor fits into the side of the header tank, the bit which you have been overfilling. It's a square black plastic device with a cable connected to it.
By the way, water is not "coolant". Using plain water risks freezing in the cold weather and will cause corrosion within the cooling system, so use the correct stuff.
By the way, water is not "coolant". Using plain water risks freezing in the cold weather and will cause corrosion within the cooling system, so use the correct stuff.
What is the correct stuff? I mean, my mechanic always puts anti freeze in when he does my service during cold times of year. Do you mean buying special coolant?
So I might need this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-P...M&hash=item4ac467af28&clk_rvr_id=477593677130
Or even the whole thing? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-P...M&hash=item4ac467af28&clk_rvr_id=477593677130
When the message came back had the water level dropped back down to what it was before you topped it up right to the top ? Your cooling system is a sealed system. Water shouldn't just disappear out of it.
If it is you could have a small leak in your coolant system. Probably a small crack in the radiator, or maybe a leaking hose somewhere.
I don't know, I had to get to work after filling it up and didn't check what the water level was when the message returned. I'll check it tomorrow. But when the message comes on and before I top it up, water is always visible at a level which shouldn't set off the warnings imo.
depends how sensitive it is.
Get it on the flat, and put a mark on the bottle with a pen, or a piece of electrical tape etc..
Then check it again when the warning comes back. If its decreased below that line you've got a leak somewhere.
Get it on the flat, and put a mark on the bottle with a pen, or a piece of electrical tape etc..
Then check it again when the warning comes back. If its decreased below that line you've got a leak somewhere.
I think it's a small leak and not the sensor. I hadn't taken note before today of the min and max level arrows, I just filled it to the top, which I won't do anymore. Today, about an hour ago, the water level was below the minimum as seen in the pics (taken before I topped it up again today). I topped it up again an hour ago, but only to the maximum arrow. Well tbh, it's hard to tell where the maximum is when looking inside the bottle as I can't see an outline of the min or max lines that are on the outside of the bottle. So I filled it to just cover the plastic stem shaped like an X. Would you say that's about the correct level? The warning message disappeared so far. Half an hour later I checked the water level again without switching the engine on and it looked like it had slightly reduced below the top of the X. It's never drained enough to overheat the car but obviously I need to get it fixed. Hope it's a cheap fix like a hose or the bottle and not the radiator. Unless radiators can be patched up easily?
Soldato
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If you don't know what you're doing you really should take it to someone that does before you damage something
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My A3 had a coolant leak from somewhere, had it taken to two garages who did tests and could find no issues at all. The coolant would slowly drop below the min level and I would top it up with coolant about once a week/fortnight to keep it topped up.
I ended up buying some k-seal to see if it did what it suggested it did and the issue went away, so obviously there was a small leak under usage that the garages couldn't find.
I ended up buying some k-seal to see if it did what it suggested it did and the issue went away, so obviously there was a small leak under usage that the garages couldn't find.