Advice needed - Coolant Level Switch Failure - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

Timmeh · 12-14-2002, 18:27

After taking my brother's ED for a drive, the coolant level switch light illuminated on the dash, and I feared the worst. It went out a few seconds later, and intermittently came on and off during the few streets home. Knowing that the temperature guage on the dash would only indicate normal heat if it had no coolant, I was scared the car was over-heating.

Once the car had cooled down, I checked the coolant level, only to find it was quite ok. I checked the water for any traces of oil, and oil for water, but everything seemed ok. In fact, the whole car seems to be working normally, with the exception of this intermittent coolant level light.

Is this a common or known problem with the ED?
To check the coolant level switch, can someone provide me with the position and precautions of doing this, and what to look for?

Any information would be much appreciated...

Cheers......... Tim

12-14-2002, 18:32

i have the same problem with my eb at the moment

EDXR6 · 12-14-2002, 18:39

Hey guys, i havent had this problem with mine but, when i changed my coolant bottle and instaled the low level switch in the new one i did notice that it was all "gummed" up with crap basically, so i guess you could try pulling the sensor out of the coolant bottle and giving it a clean.

i dunno if it would work or not but i spose there is no harm in trying, it would be best to undo the coolant box and turn it on its side so you dont loose the coolant when you pull it out. also u will need some needle nose pliers to get it out.

hope this helps

Tim

Timmeh · 12-14-2002, 22:28

Tim

Cheers, I'll pull it out and have a look. Thanks.

A different Tim

old_mate · 12-14-2002, 23:14

My one has a similar problem everynow and then, and I always leave it to dad to fix. He reckons the switch 'sinks', whatever that means.......i would ask him but he is working, if noone explains it i will post what he says about it when I get the chance to talk to him.

My washer bottle does the same thing atm, he says its the same thing.....expect the float or whatever has gone. I dunno.

Timmeh · 12-15-2002, 00:33

That'd be cool.... thanks

old_mate · 12-15-2002, 02:46

the switch being 'sunk' means it has a hole in the float.

How that manages to give it a empty signal I have no idea, but im sure you guys will figure it all out.

Sorry but thats the best I could get out of him. He is too tired and grumpy to hear about cars right now lol.

Aussiblue · 12-15-2002, 03:19

The switch can also come apart where the two wires enter the sensor; essentially they wire contact seperates from the switch. It can be repaired with some silicon sealant (push then in to contact and hold in place with sealant). My NB did this and that how I fixed it. If it works when you gently push the two wires into the rubber plug you know that this is the cause.

Timmeh · 12-15-2002, 03:22

Ok, I'll try it all....

If the float has a hole in it, it will fill with coolant and sink, indicating no coolant, because it will 'sink' when there is no coolant to keep it afloat... makes sense....

Unreal, cheers... Tim