Coolant alarm

[Tidmo]

Welcome to my latest problem...
New battery fitted today. Coolant alarm chirrups as normal when ign first turned on and waiting for glow plug light to go out. All normal.
Now after the engine has started the alarm is constantly sounding.
Plenty of coolant in header tank no overheating issues.
Any ideas? I've pulled the fuse as its driving me mad!
Cheers

[g8dhe]

Remove the screw in the tank and give it a clean with a wire brush, refit.

[Tidmo]

Okay thanks. Will try that. How to stop the coolant peeing out? And will it need bleeding?
Thanks.

[Darkstar]

DO NOT remove the header tank filler cap, when you remove the screw there will be enough of a vacuum to stop coolant pouring out, make sure the coolant has cooled, if you have already opened the cap, replace and run the engine until hot then let it cool before removing screw, obviously dont leave the screw out for longer than you need to clean it just in case.

im sure if i'm wrong another member with more knowledge will shoot me down in flames .

[Tidmo]

Excellent. Thanks guys. Ill get the o/h out in a bit. Check her lightning reactions!

[Poohbear]

Or alternatively put your finger over the hole, or get someone else to. It's only a slight dribble. It only ever needs bleeding if the level drops below the bottom of the tank. Even if the level drops to the level of the screw (i.e. if you don't put your finger over the hole) it won't need bleeding. I wouldn't recommend that though

[Tidmo]

Thanks Pooh. Will need to sort another meet very soon. Especially as its getting warmer! Mind you it couldn't have been much colder before!

[dom_e]

Did you try writing as per my picture?

[Tidmo]

??

[haydn callow]

DO NOT remove the header tank filler cap, when you remove the screw there will be enough of a vacuum to stop coolant pouring out, make sure the coolant has cooled, if you have already opened the cap, replace and run the engine until hot then let it cool before removing screw, obviously dont leave the screw out for longer than you need to clean it just in case.

im sure if i'm wrong another member with more knowledge will shoot me down in flames .

Nearly right.
When all is cold.
Remove the header tank cap ( to get rid of any last bit of pressure )
Replace the header tank cap.
Remove/clean/ replace screw.
Only a small dribble will be lost.
Check coolant level and adjust to ...level at full line when cold.

Let us know if it fixes the problem......if it was o.k. Before the battery change then it could be something else....

[Tidmo]

Thanks Haydn, doing it at lunchtime so will keep you posted,

[teenmal]

Have you recently remove the alarm wiring pos/neg and refitted,if so it might be worth checking the wiring is correct.

[haydn callow]

You say it chirps as normal when you turn key.....then alarms constantly with engine running,,,,,,,I would be looking elsewhere for the fault......seems a big coincidence that it was all well before battery change.........dirty screw syndrome is gradual.

[Tidmo]

Just cleaned the screw, topped up lost coolant. Usual chirrup on starting then constant alarm sounding still...
I havent done anything wiring wise yet (move the feed to ign only) only replaced a duff starter battery.
Off to Cornwall next weekend so would either like it working again or find a way of bypassing the alarm sounding.

[rita]

Just cleaned the screw, topped up lost coolant. Usual chirrup on starting then constant alarm sounding still...
I havent done anything wiring wise yet (move the feed to ign only) only replaced a duff starter battery.
Off to Cornwall next weekend so would either like it working again or find a way of bypassing the alarm sounding.

A long shot,have you maybe got the + and - wires mixed up.

Or maybe the alarm doesn't like your new battery for some reason.(higher voltage)