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E39 Coolant Level Sensor or Not?

Discussion in 'E39 (1997-2003)' started by bhazard, Jan 2, 2009.

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    bhazard

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    I have a 2000 528i (GU28117) and recently it had a coolant leak that once found I was a gallon low, but no Coolant Level Low warning. When replacing parts including the coolant overflow tank I noticed that there was no level sensor installed. A new one was installed with the new tank but I can't find the wire for the level sensor.

    The dealer insists one exists and a local independent says there has to be one but recalls other E39's that didn't have a low coolant sensor. I have also looked at another E39 528i which also didn't have the wire.

    Two questions: 1) Should there be a coolant level sensor on a 2000 528i? If so, where would the wire connector be? 2) If not and the coolant gets too low how will the diagnostics know to warn me to shut things down?
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    • Technical Service Advisor

    mooseheadm5

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    Sorry, the 528i got no low coolant sensor. You have to do what people used to do way back in the day: open your hood and periodically check your fluid levels. Gasp!
    • Member

    az3579

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    Uh, how does his 8-year-old 528i not have a coolant level sensor when my 21-year-old 325 does?
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    John in VA

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    Same reason cars don't have dipsticks these days! :D
    • Member

    az3579

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    Yeah but they at least have sensors that could pretend to do that job... he doesn't even have anything that will pretend to do the job, no way of knowing other than *gasp* opening the hood!

    You'd think that such a technologically advanced age would bring coolant level sensors to high-end cars such as BMW's... :confused:
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    • Technical Service Advisor

    mooseheadm5

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    Money. The 528i was the low end model and they shot their wad on aluminum subframes and suspension bits. Same reason old 318i models did without check control- the bottom line.
    • Member

    102929

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    528 and coolant sensor

    A 528 model will only have a coolant level sensor if it also has the "high" version of the instrument cluster and lamp check module. These are optional in many markets but not normally seen in north America.

    They do come as standard when someone has added the navigation system with the OBM.

    The reason is that the check control monitoring unit (LCM) is what monitors the various items incliding lamps and some fluid levels. But only the high version of this does the coolant and that only comes with the high version of the instrument cluster.

    Cheers
    Jim Cash
    • Member

    TeamStowell We love driving!

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    Mine is available....

    My coolant level sensor in our 540 keeps telling me the level is too low, which it isn't. I would be better off without it.

    Heck the whole car is available it you wish...

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