Rob Fc4s

Everytime I start my engine, the add coolant light and buzzer combination insists on staying on. The overflow Reservoir was below the low mark but when i took off the cap on top of the water pump, coolant was filled to the brim. I wasn't having any overheating problems at all and there is pressure coming from the water pump. I opened the air release valve on the radiator where the line comes from the water pump(passenger side). Out of confusion, i checked the oil. 2 quarts later i determined the coolant level sensor is unrelated to oil. Im guessing the sensor is dirty or bad. If so, anyone have an idea where the hell it is id appreciate it so i could resolve this annoying nuisance! I gotta crank the system so all the time so i dont hear it.

RETed

First of all, the buzzer isn't stupid.
It goes off when...
1) you rev too high
2) the oil is LOW
3) the coolant is LOW
Any of these condition can easily damage your engine very quickly; there's a reason why Mazda designed the buzzer to be THAT ANNOYING.

Second, since we're narrowed to the ADD COOLANT sensor, why don't you try and find out what is wrong???
First of all, to eliminate the sensor itself, the Mazda FSM has a quick test for it - look it up.
Second, leaks of your cooling system will induce all kinds of cooling problems - fix them.
If you can't do this yourself, I recommend taking it to a mechanic who is competent with these kinds of problems.


-Ted

Icemark

It sounds like you topped up the overflow to the top???

If so, then you might as well just pour coolant on the ground. the overflow is designed to be only so full, and will not fix air in the system.

The radiator and system needs to be bled of bubbles.

And I agree with Ted, the buzzer and sensor are there to prevent idiots from letting their coolant or oil get to low, or their engine RPMs too high. Only an absolute moron who cared nothing about their motor and car would disable it.

Syonyk

As I read it, he noticed the overflow was low, but when he took off the actual radiator cap by the water pump, it was still full.

The sensor is physically located on the top of the radiator. Is the wire disconnected or such? I don't remember how exactly the system works, but either a disconnected or grounded wire will trip the warning.

Finally, I agree with Ted & Icemark. I absolutely love having a coolant alarm. I've had it go off 3 separate times, and every time it was a coolant line with a slow leak. And, every time, I was able to pull over, add coolant, and get myself somewhere to fix the problem.

I really wish ALL cars came with this system - a friend of mine just had to replace the engine in his truck (to the tune of $3500). He wasn't driving it at the time, a coolant line sprung a leak, vented the coolant, and the idiotic temperature gauge didn't budge until the engine was overheated badly enough to warp the heads & do other damage.

-=Russ=-

Mombodogs

Guys, easy on the poor lad. It's my job to drink and criticize the uneducated, and being its only 11:00 am, I'll do it sober. I check MY fluids, EVERY DAY, because of the severity, being low on them, could be to ANY ENGINE. Gauges and buzzers are installed for one simple reason: WARN OF IMPENDING PROBLEMS.

This will sound stupid to some, but in my trunk I carry 1 extra gallon of oil, 2 gallons of water/coolant mixture, a tool box, and an extra set of belts. Extra weight, sure. Less gas mileage, of course. But 1000-3000 dollars later for rebuild, I'll pay the extra now.

And if the buzzer is so annoying, cut all the wires one by one until it goes away. See, just ask and I'll have a simple solution.

PEACE THE DOG

RX7withNitrous

The buzzer is the worst noise in the world though

jkimbro

iTrader: (3)

It is a horrifically annoying buzzer, but if it came on playing cool MP3's, we'd want to screw our engines, now wouldn't we?

k-rok

yeah man, if your car makes a really loud obnoxious sound that warns you to check **** before you car blows up, i dunno if ide call that stupid. thats like saying when someone yells "MOVE!!!" because youre about to get hit by a bus, you say, "shut up stupid...."

Syonyk

*nods* I check fluid levels every fillup. The nice thing with the buzzers is that, even on a 500 mile road trip, if something springs a leak you'll know. Typically, you don't know that a coolant line has sprung a leak unless you see the temperature start to rise or smell coolant.

Also, carrying stuff in the truck isn't stupid. I carry a quart or two of oil, a gallon of coolant, and a spare alternator/water pump belt. In the Subaru, I carry a lot more.

-=Russ=-

NZConvertible

I'll give you three noises that sound much worse than that buzzer:

1) An over-revved engine/clutch/flywheel blowing

2) An engine with no oil seizing

3) An engine with no coolant dying

Compared to those, the buzzer is life-saving music...

If you can't understand why the buzzer has to be so attention-grabbing, you should not be driving a rotary.

Tofuball

If I could find a way to make that buzzer into an alarm clock, I'd be able to get up a lot faster in the morning!

Honestly, that Low Coolant buzzer has saved my engine about two or three times! If it ran for govorner I would vote for it!

dedlyse7en

mazda could have created a seat for your car that could electricute you
that would definitely fix the problem if you sprang a leak... then you would have initiative to fix it. Just bein an ***..... yea the buzzer sucks.. but it doesnt make any noise if your car is fixed...

Mombodogs

I've had three beers now, and I'm thinking clearly now about the buzzer. Simple solution: 1st-for safety, disconnect negative battery terminal. 2nd-find wires going to buzzer and disconnect. 3rd- add butt connectors to each end of wires. 4th-add ten feet of extra wire to each connector, and crimp the new wires. 5th-get large radiator hose clamp and attach each end of new wires to clamp. 6th- hang clamp from turn signal and reconnect battery.
7th- For safety again, put seat belt on before starting car. 8th- After initial warm-up, remove clamp from turn signal. 9th- attach clamp to your ball bag, and for safety reasons, torque to 6 foot pounds, only, very important. 10- Proceed to drive like you normally do.

Beer-It makes even a canine seem intelligent.

Good luck, and happy swelling.

PEACE THE DOG

Icemark

the buzzer is soldered into the back of the gauge cluster circuit board and attached to any wires.