Low Coolant Message

[ProlixArgon]

I've got an odd problem on my Suppercharged 06 Range Rover full size.

I have a low coolant light that comes on every time the truck comes to operating temperature. The coolant level is fine when cold, when warm, and as far as I know is never anywhere close to low. The message disappears after about three seconds.

I have access to professional grade diagnostic tools and there are no faults stored in the engine computer.

The only lead I have is that I bought the truck on the east coast and moved it to the west coast (Virginia). Someone was suggesting that there is perhaps a thermostat fault. The first owner bought the car in California, so perhaps a different thermostat for CA emissions? The truck has 72K and no signs of a leak anywhere and no coolant loss.


Anyone have any bright ideas? I bought a thermostat to swap out just in the off chance there is a fault there, but haven't had the time to install it yet. I'm really at a loss...


Thanks for your time,
ProlixArgon

 

[umbertob]

Virginia is on the West Coast now?

On MY06 Sports, there was a batch of faulty coolant expansion tanks where the level float would slowly absorb coolant and eventually sink, triggering false low coolant messages. A TSB was issued. I checked it and it does not appear full size Range Rovers were included in that bulletin as the expansion tanks must obviously be different... But that doesn't mean something similar couldn't be happening in your expansion tank. The float is built into the expansion tank (on the Sport, anyway) so the whole tank needed to be replaced. Also, check for a loose or wobbly electrical connector to the sensor - or possibly the sensor itself may be acting up - under the expansion tank.

 

[ProlixArgon]

Hmm, yes, obviously I don't have something screwed on tight. It come west coast to east coast. I need to keep my hoods straight or I be misrepresentin'!

I found some other people commenting about the expansion tanks in the time it took the MODs to sanction my post so this morning I bypassed the sensor and it didn't trigger the message again. I did find a recall on the full sized rovers too so I ordered a replacement reservoir. I'll find out in a day or so if I have it for sure eliminated. It sounds more reasonable than a thermostat. I haven't encountered a vehicle that had a thermostat set for something outside of the 80-95C range.