Does anybody know if the sensor just pulls free from the bottom of the expansion tank? Do I have to drain the tank? It looks to me like it just fits up in the tank in a slot for it, and doesn't actually come in contact with the coolant. The float must make its connection through the plastic tank...

I changed my thermostat and housing last week and during bleeding I got a bunch of coolant on the sensor wires or plug. Now I'm getting the Low Coolant warning.
I really don't think it's the float (was all working fine before the repair) so I'd like to replace the sensor for $13 instead of the entire tank. Seems like a good bet.

thanks

 

Well getting coolant on the wires or waterproof plug wouldn't trigger that warning - and if it did, then a new sensor wouldn't fix it (it would have to be on car harness/plug side.

At correct level, you should have continuity between the two pins on the level sensor's plug. If you do, then something else is going on - if not then it's sensor/float/tank.

What sensor are you seeing for $13? I believe the plug / electrical part is molded to the tank and the float itself is sealed internally when the tank is molded together. Or were you just saying you'd rather spend a few bucks for that than the entire tank? I totally agree, but it doesn't bug me anymore lol. When it does, I'll jump the two pins on the vehicle harness side of the plug and call it a day.

edit: I see the part you're looking at, but that goes against what I've seen / been told for a LONG time lol. Did they update the design of the tank maybe, and the new ones have this type of sensor??

edit2: JK, there is a sensor, but I think the float just acts on it possibly through resistance, not sure. Either way, the root cause is the float. LR even has a TSB for the fault which states replacement of tank (massive warranty $$, they wouldn't do that if it was just sensor). Sorry.

 

I have been down this path before. I replaced the sensor only to find the float was soaked and would not rise when the resevior is filled. I replaced the coolant tank and have had no problems since. Expensive fix for a rather simple problem.I have read here and other placed that simply draining and moving tthetank is all it takes for the float to quit working.

The float looks like a small ring around the place where the sensor is inserted from the bottom and it just stops moving when coolant is added.

Good luck and let us know which parts finally fixed it.

Jeff

 

Ugh. I believe you guys - such a shame that simply draining the system enough to replace my thermostat housing and refilling caused it to go belly up.
Looks like I'll be ordering the entire tank. What a sensitive little float.

Thanks for letting me know.

 

If it's any consolation - it would have happened sooner or later anyways.

 

I've seen many times where the float will not come back up on its own once it goes down(draining the system) you might want to try carefully tapping(gentle banging) of the lower section of the tank, try to get it to rise.

The sensor does sense the float, and is not in the coolant at all, or have any physical connection with the float, just magnetic fields.

 

This is classic Rover - go hi-tech with a fancy non-contact sensor then have the whole system fail because they messed up on the lowest-tech part- the float sinks.

 

Good call, I'll try tapping the lower part of the tank with my magic hammer. Regardless, I have a new tank inbound. $69 not bad, but the hassle of changing it out is annoying. Mainly, I'm tired of playing with coolant. It's all I smell - even when not near the truck. It's penetrated my nasal cavity.

 

Help...

I have replaced the expansion chamber and sensor but still have the dash warning.

Any idea what is going on??

Is there any shortcut o get rid of the problem?