Bongo Fury

This one goes out to those of you who have an aftermarket low coolant level warning beeper & red LED fitted (ours has a red LED with "coolant warning" around the outside of it).

The coolant level is fine (checked each time) / The level beeper and LED check ok on startup

We get a short and intermittent beep 5-10 minutes after startup.... just one occurrence

Any thoughts people?

After 7 years of faultless service, mine has started to occasionally chirp a little shortly after setting off even though coolant level is fine. I took a quick look at one of the sensor screws but it looked pristine, so I'm wondering what might be causing it (i suspect it could be linked to warmer weather but not sure about that).

Worth taking the screws out and cleaning with a wire brush, the corrosion inhibitor can coat them.

If going around a bend at speed or with an adverse camber, the coolant can slosh around a bit which can trigger the alarm. Are you using red or blue/green coolant?

Simon Jones wrote:If going around a bend at speed or with an adverse camber, the coolant can slosh around a bit which can trigger the alarm. Are you using red or blue/green coolant?

Indeed but don't think it's that. I use green coolant so doubt it's that either. Will have to try wire brushing the screws I think.

how good is your alternator/starter batt.

No starting issues, battery is fine

Are you suggesting a transient drop in the voltage causing the irregular beep? (a one off after driving for a few minutes from cold)

No evidence of voltage disturbance as might manifest itself in the charge light flickering or the stereo cutting out, in any case it is a discrete instance, a one-off 5-10 minutes following a cold start.... I wondered if it was anything to do with the thermostat opening....

Hi
The usual cause is that as temperature drops, the conductivity is seemingly not as good . I wouldn't have thought at this time of year there's any problem, but each system has it's individual quirks. I find that mine sounds constantly for a few minutes when we get VERY cold
Cheers
Helen

I assume you have checked the earth and supply feeding the coolant alarm?

winchman wrote:I assume you have checked the earth and supply feeding the coolant alarm?

the check sound is very clear but will double check.. fiddling with the rather childish wiring (e.g. stuffed into the bonnet seal) seems to have stopped the problem

I thought I was the only one

the beep has given up on mine - but the red led works fine

flashes every now and then -

pooed myself when it 1st started intermediate flashing

was on the motorway

but stopped - coolant full - all ok

done the screw thing - cleaned - tightened everything

I think its down to something with the ancient electrics

if I put my lights on full very quickly - the is a millisecond flash lol

if I switch my leccy window up when closed I get a little flash

I thank ? that the beeper isn't working

used to make me jump

mine has been like this for a year or so - so im pretty used to it by now

I have emptied the coolant below the screw to test it - and it works ok

does make you wake up a little when the bloody thing flashes lol

andy

You can get good LCA for £15.00 in P&P on ebay or seller direct, they get a good review from the Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK.

QUESTION: how easy is it to get the coolant tank out to clean the contacts ( might install an LED to help checking the coolant level )

You shouldn't have to remove the tank if the contacts are just one or two stainless screws through the wall - leave the cap on, it may dribble a little, but you won't need to bleed. You would if you removed the header tank - drain down so that tank is empty, unclip hoses, unbolt and remove.

Slightly off-topic, but I have one of the eBay "Delica" alarms which I will be fitting shortly - I reviewed the circuit and am happy the current through the coolant is low enough - how well "tuned" it is to the coolant's conductivity at various strengths/temperatures remains to be seen. Also, there is no self-test on turning the key - you have to remember to press the button.