Coolant warning light!

[takuma]

Hi guys,

Was driving to work this morning and all of a sudden the coolant warning light came on and was flashing. So pulled over, checked the owners manual (Second time I've ever opened it  ) and read the definition for that warning light! Flashing warning light means Find expert assistance (I'm assuming this means take it to the dealers to get it checked out)
Anyway turned of the engine and back on again and the warning light has disappeared. Did this a few times but it seems it has gone.

Has anyone experienced this problem yet or any other warning lights? I'm thinking about taking it to the dealers but since I can no longer replicate the problem. I know they are going to fob me off and saying it's a glitch in the computer or something. Just wondering how serious this problem is and considering I've only had the car for 3 months (ordered brand new from factory) and just clocked 1800 miles, stuff like this shouldn't be happening right?

Any feedback would be great
Thanks

[david25]

What is the level of the pink coolant in the expansion tank, located near to the bulkhead?

[simonpolly]

Do they have a float proximity sensor in the header tank  ? i know that sometimes they can stick and give you a false reading or its possible a loose connection.

[takuma]

What is the level of the pink coolant in the expansion tank, located near to the bulkhead?

Ok so I've just checked under the bonnet. Engine was still quite hot even after 1 hour since I turned it off. Checked the pink coolant and it's sitting below the minimum marker. Surely I haven't used this much pink coolant as I can't notice any leeks anywhere? Like I said before only had the car for 3 months and done a measly 1800 miles on the clock.

[david25]

What is the level of the pink coolant in the expansion tank, located near to the bulkhead?

Ok so I've just checked under the bonnet. Engine was still quite hot even after 1 hour since I turned it off. Checked the pink coolant and it's sitting below the minimum marker. Surely I haven't used this much pink coolant as I can't notice any leeks anywhere? Like I said before only had the car for 3 months and done a measly 1800 miles on the clock.

OK, well the sensor was correct.

If the dealership is near to you, it's probably safe to drive there and show them.

Otherwise, you need to top-up (do it after the car is cool, otherwise you could injury yourself with hot coolant).

[takuma]

Thanks for the replies. Yep taking the car to the dealers later. The interesting thing is that in the manual it says that a flat warning light means it's a heating issue which I'm guessing can be resolved by topping up coolant, where as a blinking warning light (which is the one I got) means that there is a fault in the actual coolant system itself.

Anyway I'll see what the dealers have to say about it.
Thanks.

[Gene Hunt.]

Top up & keep an eye on it.I bet thats all the dealer would do.

[stu79]

Mine did the same when new, if you look in the expansion bottle there as two-prong sensor which actually flags the warning light a little bit under minimum. Took it into the dealer and they pressure tested it to check for leaks and they checked the joints / hoses for staining (the pink stuff stains apparently) - nothing.

Just over a year on and I've just topped it up again, its taken about 250ml of coolant and it's just over a year old.

Never used a drop of oil though......

[mfl]

Had the same problem a couple of months ago, needed to top the coolant tank up every couple of days, checked the engine bay no signs of any leaks. Pressure test by dealer showed a leak from the water pump and it was replaced.