Electrics: 850: No warning of low coolant levels

[BackInBlack]

Hi I have a Volvo 850 SE 1994 Saloon and the coolant often needs filling up but what I have noticed is the coolant low level warning isn't working. I am pretty sure the light on my dash board is working as every other light on my dash works flawlessly.

I read somewhere that it could be the sensor in the coolant tank. Is this sensor easy to repair? Is it easy to replace? Is it even the sensor with the problem?

Has anyone else had this problem...?

Thanks

[SUBURBAN KID]

Could be gunged up? You could clamp the pipes up and pull the tank for a look, but I dont know if that sensor is repairable, as I've not had to do it. (yet)

Had a massive build up of blue crud in the old motor, 240, had to take a lot of the pipework and jets off for a clean up, but it had been sat for a while.

[BackInBlack]

Does anyone know if the sensor is repairable?

Is this a common fault?

[Volgrrr]

Originally Posted by BackInBlack

Hi I have a Volvo 850 SE 1994 Saloon and the coolant often needs filling up but what I have noticed is the coolant low level warning isn't working. I am pretty sure the light on my dash board is working as every other light on my dash works flawlessly.

Have you considered it might be the only warning indicator lamp not working as all globes have got to fail sometime or another. When the ignition is turned on all the warning indicator lamps should light until the engine fires.

If your coolant low warning indicator lamp does come on, then it is most likely the sensor has gone faulty providing the basic coolant circuit tests out O.K and there are no poor connections, broken wires etc. to make diagnosis difficult.

[Jod T5]

Hi,
you could measure the resistance at the multiplug with the bottle full and empty....If the sensor is broken, i doubt and DIY help will be possable so a new one will be needed...
Check that the bulb does work first by turning the ignition to Pos2, the coolant light is in the cluster under the RPM dial, bottom shelf, second in from the left and will be illuminated until you start the engine
HTH
Jod

[BackInBlack]

Originally Posted by Jod T5

Hi,
you could measure the resistance at the multiplug with the bottle full and empty....If the sensor is broken, i doubt and DIY help will be possable so a new one will be needed...
Check that the bulb does work first by turning the ignition to Pos2, the coolant light is in the cluster under the RPM dial, bottom shelf, second in from the left and will be illuminated until you start the engine
HTH
Jod

Yup, the light does work, I guess it is my sensor. I wonder if there are any topics here on maybe cleaning or fiddling with the sensor?

[dooby]

Hiya,

I *think* the sensor works by a floating plastic ring in the tank, which rises or drops with the fluid level, and somehow (magnetically via reed switch?) triggers the sensor. If it's the reed switch I doubt it's DIY repairable economically. If it's the ring gunged up and not moving, you may be able to clean it up by draining the coolant enough to remove the expansion tank and have a go.

HTH, Pete

[Jod T5]

Originally Posted by dooby

Hiya,

I *think* the sensor works by a floating plastic ring in the tank, which rises or drops with the fluid level, and somehow (magnetically via reed switch?) triggers the sensor. If it's the reed switch I doubt it's DIY repairable economically. If it's the ring gunged up and not moving, you may be able to clean it up by draining the coolant enough to remove the expansion tank and have a go.

HTH, Pete

Thats correct Pete, it is the same as the washer level unit and as far as i can see there is no benefit in repair....
Maybe on of the dealers can let us have some prices...
Cheers
Jod