Weird issues....

[billycuth]

CEL goes off, so I go to pull the codes off the diagnostic port, and I get nothing. No fault codes.

My warning computer tells me to check coolant level. So I check it this morning when the car is cool, and there is plenty of coolant. Weird.

Anyone ever have these types of issues?

[c1apton]

Sometimes if the coolant level sensor sticks(after sitting overnight) it'll trigger CEL & OBC. If it starts happening on regular basis, you're probably looking at sensor replacement. They're notorious for sticking from scale buildup in cooling systems.

[Dudesky]

Are you sure you're looking at the CEL? The "Check Coolant Level" OBC warning triggers the CHECK light on the instrument panel, not the CEL. They're 2 different things. And most of the time the electrical contacts on the sensor just need cleaning.

[94bmw325i]

Yeah mine went off yesterday and today in the OBC, ill check it tomorrow.

[BaLAnCe17]

mine has done that once before. it went on and off for about a day. stayed off for about a week, then came back on. i eventually mixed coolant and water (the suggested mixture or whatever) and filled it up over the line. no problems since

[billycuth]

Originally Posted by Dudesky

Are you sure you're looking at the CEL? The "Check Coolant Level" OBC warning triggers the CHECK light on the instrument panel, not the CEL. They're 2 different things. And most of the time the electrical contacts on the sensor just need cleaning.

yes, they are 2 things. which is why I am confused. The on board computer only says "check coolant level" after a significant driving period. It has been coming on intermittenly for a few weeks now (i live in PA, but the freezing thing doesn't make sense since it is after I drive it, not after it's cooled down).

The CEL below the odometer went off last week for no reason, and when I checked the codes, I got no feedback (no fault codes)... Now it seems to have gone off again. I wonder if my computer is going?

[billycuth]

Originally Posted by BaLAnCe17

mine has done that once before. it went on and off for about a day. stayed off for about a week, then came back on. i eventually mixed coolant and water (the suggested mixture or whatever) and filled it up over the line. no problems since

when the engine is cool, the coolant is slightly over the line. After driving it, I can't see the coolant level through my resovior (obviously, I can't open it while it is hot).

[c1apton]

Remove the cap when cold, start and let it warm up (w/cap off) It's sounds like you might have to "bleed" air out of the system.

[billycuth]

that's it? just warm it up without the cap on to bleed it? sounds easy enough.

[c1apton]

Not exactly, there's a little black plastic screw next to filler (if I remember right) you just loosen that until coolant just starts to come out. then it's bled.

[Dudesky]

Originally Posted by billycuth

yes, they are 2 things. which is why I am confused. The on board computer only says "check coolant level" after a significant driving period. It has been coming on intermittenly for a few weeks now (i live in PA, but the freezing thing doesn't make sense since it is after I drive it, not after it's cooled down).

The CEL below the odometer went off last week for no reason, and when I checked the codes, I got no feedback (no fault codes)... Now it seems to have gone off again. I wonder if my computer is going?

What I mean is, aside from the computer in the center dash, there is a "CHECK" light by the odometer, and there is also a "CHECK ENGINE" light there as well. What you probably saw was the CHECK light, not the CEL, which is why you dn't have any codes showing.

[billycuth]

thanks dudesky, but it was definitely the CEL. The check light has never come on for me.