Coolant Light on Dash
#277
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While everyone is welcome to answer this, I'd most like to see Mazurfer's answer.
#279
I zoom therefore I am.
Please answer the same questions for frequency to check air pressure and oil level related to TPMS sensors and oil level sensor working and not working.
Invest in a good quality air pressure gauge, they don't cost much. I so a visual inspection of my tires almost daily. Giving them a quick look for odd wear patterns takes a few seconds per wheel. I check their pressure level every other fill up.
#280
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Also, it would be wise to buy a ScanGaugeII (or similar device) and monitor your temps, especially if you are going to disconnect the "dummy light".
.
Last edited by van; 07-26-2011 at 08:16 PM.
#281
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I suppose i can understand if you want to wait for mazurfer's answer, but i have a hard time believing that he is going to be more specific then me and others have been.
#282
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![Dunno](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/dunno.gif)
Anyway, I'd have to agree with the guys above.
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For the record, I bought a new bottle as I'm not funds limited, but even so.............. I usually check the oil, coolant, brake fluid level, and tire pressure on the weekend at home........once a week. This usually is because I only fill up about once a week and add pre-mix at that time, so while I'm doing that, I give the engine bay the once over. It wasn't that long ago when cars didn't have things like TPMS or coolant level sensors, and somehow most survived...............that was my only real point.
![Suspect](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/suspect.gif)
I have gauges and monitor quite a few things such as oil temp, oil pressure, coolant temp, etc. etc. but I still check the stuff visually, and truth be known.....after my drive home in the late afternoon and parked in the garage, I usually pop the hood for awhile to let all the heat escape, so at that time I usually glance at the coolant level and brake fluid level.
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Yes, I go a little overboard. Oil and actual tire pressure only once a week however.
Last edited by Mazurfer; 07-26-2011 at 08:05 PM.
#284
Rotary Crawfish
Hell I do mechanic work for a living and I check fluid levels whem I remember to.
I do check the parking spot for strange fluids under the car. Tire pressure is covered by TPMS lamp when she is on time to air em up.HaHa!!!
I do check the parking spot for strange fluids under the car. Tire pressure is covered by TPMS lamp when she is on time to air em up.HaHa!!!
#285
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Just changed out my bottle yesterday. Everything went smoothly and have no more annoying coolant light. Surprised no one has done a detailed diy for this yet since it's a common problem.
Yay for being too cheap to pay the stealership ~300 to get this done lol
Yay for being too cheap to pay the stealership ~300 to get this done lol
#286
What does the low-fluid warning have to do with engine temp? They're totally separate things, right? Just want to know if I'm overheating or the sensor is just bad. Not sure if the temp gauge on the dash is a good indicator of temp or not... Thanks.
#287
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This started happening to me for the last couple months. Seems to only happen on hot days and when I'm pushing the car hard. I added some distilled water a while back to top off the reservoir, no leaks I think. If I drive slower and turn off the AC, the light comes off. <-- standard issue, will get worse until light is on all the time.
What does the low-fluid warning have to do with engine temp? Nothing
They're totally separate things, right? Right
Just want to know if I'm overheating or the sensor is just bad. Not sure if the temp gauge on the dash is a good indicator of temp or not... Thanks. Not overheating(probably), you can't tell by the coolant level warning anyway. The temp gauge itself is pretty much a dummy and won't go hot until it's real hot(and almost too late)!
Read the rest of this thread and you'll see.
What does the low-fluid warning have to do with engine temp? Nothing
They're totally separate things, right? Right
Just want to know if I'm overheating or the sensor is just bad. Not sure if the temp gauge on the dash is a good indicator of temp or not... Thanks. Not overheating(probably), you can't tell by the coolant level warning anyway. The temp gauge itself is pretty much a dummy and won't go hot until it's real hot(and almost too late)!
Read the rest of this thread and you'll see.
#289
Thanks for all your answers. I'm gonna book an appointment this week and try to get it fixed before my 3yr warranty expires.
Guess I need to start looking into adding a temp gauge... BTW, if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it... finding a bunch of 2006/2007 threads about a ScanGauge II...
Guess I need to start looking into adding a temp gauge... BTW, if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it... finding a bunch of 2006/2007 threads about a ScanGauge II...
Last edited by Tonicart; 08-02-2011 at 06:43 PM.
#290
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Thanks for all your answers. I'm gonna book an appointment this week and try to get it fixed before my 3yr warranty expires.
Guess I need to start looking into adding a temp gauge... BTW, if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it... finding a bunch of 2006/2007 threads about a ScanGauge II...
Guess I need to start looking into adding a temp gauge... BTW, if anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it... finding a bunch of 2006/2007 threads about a ScanGauge II...
Mine is in my daughters three now, as I have gone another route. I like the scangauge as you can monitor four(I think) things at once, it reads and clears codes......which is a godsend.
I would recommend it for starters......for ease of use and functionality.
#291
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Thank god for the search function, lead me straight to this thread. Mine has been going off when I am in 6th gear @ 4 - 5000rpm and its bugs me. I usually put it in neutral for 10 seconds or so and it will go away. Glad to know I am not the only one with this problem. =)
#292
Scangauge II is actually a good entry level choice.
Mine is in my daughters three now, as I have gone another route. I like the scangauge as you can monitor four(I think) things at once, it reads and clears codes......which is a godsend.
I would recommend it for starters......for ease of use and functionality.
Mine is in my daughters three now, as I have gone another route. I like the scangauge as you can monitor four(I think) things at once, it reads and clears codes......which is a godsend.
I would recommend it for starters......for ease of use and functionality.
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#293
Registered
Scangauge II is actually a good entry level choice.
Mine is in my daughters three now, as I have gone another route. I like the scangauge as you can monitor four(I think) things at once, it reads and clears codes......which is a godsend.
I would recommend it for starters......for ease of use and functionality.
Mine is in my daughters three now, as I have gone another route. I like the scangauge as you can monitor four(I think) things at once, it reads and clears codes......which is a godsend.
I would recommend it for starters......for ease of use and functionality.
Anyway, for what it costs and what it does, the Scangauge II is a super great deal.
I have a question though: since mine is an older version, how did you set it up to work with a rotary engine? My version specifically asks me for how many "cylinders" I have in my engine, engine displacement, etc.
Just curious....
#294
just noticed this today too, seems after 12 pages the only solution is to replace the bottle or unplug. if the bottle if the bottle is sub £100 il just get that, no point cutting corners with these cars.
#295
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Ken
#297
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If by this you mean you extended the overflow hose down and away from the power steering connectors, then good!
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
If not, go do it and save some trouble later on.
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#299
techster, wondered what outcome you had with your engine/coolant/vibration issues.
I have an '04 with 47k miles and, having power issues, took it to dealer and was diagnosed with compression issues, so Mazda replaced the engine under warranty. The day after I picked the car up, I noticed the vibration continued, then worsened over the next couple of weeks, and then my coolant light started blinking on.
I've read many forums here so I understand what's going on with these issues, found the related TSBs, and am currently in the middle of a bare-knuckle UFC-style fight
with Mazda and the dealership over what they'll cover (so far, nothing).
I just found your situation particularly curious because you dealt with EXACTLY the same issues as me in EXACTLY the same order and time frame. I know you had the problems several months ago, so I wondered if you had any advice or light at the end of the tunnel for a frustrated 8 owner.
(Anyone else, feel free to chime in! These forums have been INVALUABLE
to helping me learn about my "baby".)
I have an '04 with 47k miles and, having power issues, took it to dealer and was diagnosed with compression issues, so Mazda replaced the engine under warranty. The day after I picked the car up, I noticed the vibration continued, then worsened over the next couple of weeks, and then my coolant light started blinking on.
I've read many forums here so I understand what's going on with these issues, found the related TSBs, and am currently in the middle of a bare-knuckle UFC-style fight
![Cussing](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/cussing.gif)
![Rant](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/rant.gif)
![Banghead](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/banghead.gif)
I just found your situation particularly curious because you dealt with EXACTLY the same issues as me in EXACTLY the same order and time frame. I know you had the problems several months ago, so I wondered if you had any advice or light at the end of the tunnel for a frustrated 8 owner.
(Anyone else, feel free to chime in! These forums have been INVALUABLE
![Ylsuper](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/ylsuper.gif)
![Jump](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/jump.gif)
#300
Sigh. Alright I'll be the retard who has to ask...
If the coolant sensor is inside the coolant bottle, what's the procedure for "disconnect the sensor"? Is this a simple plug I overlooked? The service manual doesn't go into more detail than the coolant tank assembly and mount and I don't want to go in yanking cable that look like candidates...
If the coolant sensor is inside the coolant bottle, what's the procedure for "disconnect the sensor"? Is this a simple plug I overlooked? The service manual doesn't go into more detail than the coolant tank assembly and mount and I don't want to go in yanking cable that look like candidates...