Coolant Alarm Driving Me Nuts

[Mark Elvin]

I've had the coolant/temp alarm on about 4 weeks now.

1st week it was fine.

2nd week it was slow to stop it's "test buzz" when starting.

3rd week it chirps randomly, so I removed the screw, cleaned & it was OK.

4th week it's started chirping again, sat on the drive, give the throttle a blip "chirp". Drive down the road "chirp" every time I accelerate.

Cleaned the screw again, still the occasional chirp. It's a load of hassle.

[Simon Jones]

Have you got glycol or long life / OAT coolant? If the latter, the extra corrosion protection properties can cause the screw to build up a high resistance coating. If you have a very weak coolant mixture you may also have false alarms. What sort of mix did you use? What level do you have the coolant at in the header tank when cold?

The other thing is that the alarm is quite voltage sensitive so if your alternator output rises too much when it speeds up, that cause the symptoms you describe.

[Mark Elvin]

Have you got glycol or long life / OAT coolant? If the latter, the extra corrosion protection properties can cause the screw to build up a high resistance coating. If you have a very weak coolant mixture you may also have false alarms. What sort of mix did you use? What level do you have the coolant at in the header tank when cold?

The other thing is that the alarm is quite voltage sensitive so if your alternator output rises too much when it speeds up, that cause the symptoms you describe.

Longlife coolant (5yr) as mixed as per recommended. Screw has been Scotchbrited to within an inch of it's life to clean. Level at max when cold.

I think it's alternator related, in which case I'm tempted to dump it as it's a constant source of annoyance. I'm pretty disappointed.

[Simon Jones]

Personally, I wouldn't be without a coolant alarm and there are many hundreds of other Bongo owners who are very satisfied with them. If its faulty, I'm sure Haydn or Jo will sort out out for you, but if the alternator is the problem then it's not surprising that electronic equipment powered by it is not functioning as intended.

Probably worth checking the charge at the battery with a multimeter when you rev the engine. While the Bongo is not exactly high tech, the modules for the gearbox and ABS will be relying on a steady supply and are not the sort of things you want to zap if you can help it.

Where did you take the supply from for the alarm in the end?

[Northern Bongolow]

where is the ignition live taken from.

[winchman]

Have you spoken to the supplier?
I am sure some one will be along in a moment to help

[Diplomat]

Interesting that you mention screW, mine's got screwS. Two of them.

Perhaps there isn't a very good earth return on your installation?


Frank

[Mark Elvin]

The +ve is taken from the fusebox.

[haydn callow]

When did you put the red coolant in??

[haydn callow]

Have you got glycol or long life / OAT coolant? If the latter, the extra corrosion protection properties can cause the screw to build up a high resistance coating. If you have a very weak coolant mixture you may also have false alarms. What sort of mix did you use? What level do you have the coolant at in the header tank when cold?

The other thing is that the alarm is quite voltage sensitive so if your alternator output rises too much when it speeds up, that cause the symptoms you describe.

Longlife coolant (5yr) as mixed as per recommended. Screw has been Scotchbrited to within an inch of it's life to clean. Level at max when cold.

I think it's alternator related, in which case I'm tempted to dump it as it's a constant source of annoyance. I'm pretty disappointed.

6000 bongos are fitted with these alarms....if the alarm was faulty it would not work at all.....the voltage at the sensor screw to earth should be about 1.8 volts.....the alarm triggers at about 2.5.

If you have recently put new red coolant in you can expect the alarm to "play up"for around a month.
The coolant will coat the screw until that property within the coolant is exhausted.

We can send you a new screw.....it will soon sort itself out....if it doesn't then you have a electrical gremlin......I am fairly sure in your case it is the coolant.

[Mark Elvin]

The coolant has been in since the new engine went in, about a month. The screw has be cleaned to within an inch on it's life.

[haydn callow]

The coolant has been in since the new engine went in, about a month. The screw has be cleaned to within an inch on it's life.

Contact Jo for a new screw......the new coolant will be the cause.....it will get better and one day you may be glad you stuck with it.

The red coolant when new coats the inside of the engine with a protective layer.....unfortunately when it does this it coats the screw..

[Mark Elvin]

About ready to tear this thing out.

Screw has been replaced, goes about 3 days before is screaming at me again for 10mins after start up.

[Gasy]

Mine does that
I changes to red coolant a couple of months ago
I'm just ignoring it at the mo
Will clean screws when I get a mo( mines not a Hayden's coolant alarm)
Been waiting for the new coolant to loose it's coating powers

Check you have a good earth
But least you know the coolant is giving the insides of engine a good coating
You sure your coolant not to strong

[mikeonb4c]

I've always opted for simple ethylene glycol coolant. No problem with the lca in 8 years although occasionally it gives a brief chirp these days.