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[Scatmancraig]

I occasionally get the "Low Coolant" warning message on my dashboard display.  I've checked the header tank and there's plenty in there (although it could do with changing).  On previous Senators and Carltons I've owned, the level sensor was in the cap itself.  This doesn't appear to be the case with Omegas, so where is the level sensor please?  And are they known to be troublesome?

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Underneath the reservoir, moulded in 

Usual cure is replacement header tank. I imagine, in theory you cold remove the sensor and replace - but the only place I know to get a sensor from is another header tank.. thus defeating the object. As a rule the tank has gone manky yellow/urine coloured before/about the same time the sensor fails. 

If anyone has a hack to bypass the coolant sensor I have an excellent creamy new-looking header tank for sale, just from an Omega that didn't have a sensor. 

[Bojan]

You can short-cirrcuit the sensor plug - easiest way.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

It's a good feature, but unless you either never open the bonnet, or have a coolant leak which you would prefer to keep on top of without checking every day... you don't really need it. 

[Bojan]

I agree with your point DBG.
But there are some situations where this sensor can be very helpfull, perhaps even 'saving the day'.
If a coolant hose slips or breaks, coolant is exiting the engine at a fast rate -> when driving, you could loose majority of your coolant in several minutes, and if you don't notice the temp rising, you could easily overheat the engine. With coolant level warning, there is an extra protection in this situation (when it comes on, one will probably notice it).

PS. In this situatuin (hose breaks or slips of) there is almost instant rise of coolant temp, as coolant system looses pressure.

PPS. I'd say that for avarage driver, coolant level sensor and warning is a good thing to have. More-car-orientated persons really can do without.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

I agree with your points. As you say, if you're a car-oriented person then you can do without. But for the most part they are a good idea, yes.

It's always a sticking point with any of our cars, they are/were technology-packed machines, with hundreds of sensors, and lots of computers controlling things, compared with cars designed ten years previously. As the most expensive Vauxhall/Opel in the range, they were, of course the first to offer the high-end tech like ABS, Cruise Control, Trip Computers, etc so when we say 'you don't need those heated washer jets' or 'dont need those sensors' it's a bit incongruous/against what the whole point of these cars is. 

OP there's normally a used unit for about £15 on here or brand new from the dealer for £40ish 

[Webby the Bear]

it's an interesting one.

for example my brake pad warning sensor connector has had a paperclip shorting it out for 3 years. but needing new front brakes in the not too distant future I feel like getting a new sensor. I cant tell you why as I regularly check the motor so don't ''need'' such a thing

I do think the coolant one would be important and possibly could save the day as already mentioned...

[ronnyd]

I think a lot of the driver aids in cars these days are for people who don,t, choosing words carefully here, understand cars and just drive them until something goes wrong or a light comes on. I like to think i would notice if any gauge was doing something that is abnormal as when i am at the wheel i constantly check gauges, mirrors, etc. Just second nature for me i suppose Then again, i have been driving a looong while, also before cars had sensors and such.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Indeed. In reality, if my meaning wasn't clear, in terms of 'need', does the OP, or indeed any of us need the sensor? No. Useful, and should it be reinstated to make the car as-factory? Yes, absolutely. Have I a working sensor? Yes, If it were broken, would I want another? Again, yes 

But in the short-term, just wanted to make it known that it can be shorted, and 'lived without' 

[Kevin Wood]

I agree that brake sensors are completely superfluous if you are even remotely competent in looking after your car.

Coolant sensor? Actually, I'd say it's quite important. If you get a major coolant leak any warning from the temperature gauge might well be too late on a modern engine, especially when it's located remotely from the engine and quite high up where it will be starved of coolant early on in the proceedings.

I'd also tend not to short it, as the warning would be likely to pester me into fixing it sooner or later.

[omega2018]

was just about to start a post on this as yet again i have the "low coolant" mesage.  last time it was the electrics - reed switch failed or circuit board cracked.  this time though i opened up the reservoir and the float was floating around loose!  also found one plastic washer floating.  has anyone had this?  is it repairable?  or do i have to get yet another tank? looks fiddly to get your fingers in to fit the float back on.

I might just short it.  where there no coolant temperature warning light on the dash i would agree the low coolant warning is vital - you can't watch the temp gauge all the time.  however since there is an additional red light warning if a hose breaks (and provided you stop when it lights up!) i think the low coolant level warning is just a nice to have.

[Webby the Bear]

I agree that brake sensors are completely superfluous if you are even remotely competent in looking after your car.

Coolant sensor? Actually, I'd say it's quite important. If you get a major coolant leak any warning from the temperature gauge might well be too late on a modern engine, especially when it's located remotely from the engine and quite high up where it will be starved of coolant early on in the proceedings.

I'd also tend not to short it, as the warning would be likely to pester me into fixing it sooner or later.

Hmmmm. I could've sworn I put a paperclip in to stop it. must be summat else 

Without going outside, jacking the car up and whipping the wheel off to see how ive done it  whats the way to not have thesensor and not have the warning either 

[Scatmancraig]

Interesting reading.

My coolant light has come on twice, but is off 99% of the time. I'll see how it goes with that.

I would like to remove the brake pad warning though. I'd be happy shorting the sensors out, is it as simple as joining the two wires together?

[TheBoy]

The Bullet had the Coolant Warning come on halfway down the M1.  By the time I'd arrived at my destination, the coolant bottle was well down.

I'd always recommend fixing/replacing this sensor, else my trip back up the M1 would likely have ended in tears, as I wouldn't have otherwise checked it today.

[DrAndyB]

I occasionally get the "Low Coolant" warning message on my dashboard display.  I've checked the header tank and there's plenty in there (although it could do with changing).  On previous Senators and Carltons I've owned, the level sensor was in the cap itself.  This doesn't appear to be the case with Omegas, so where is the level sensor please?  And are they known to be troublesome?

I had similar message, and I gave sensor a clean following a recommendation on here - I think it involved a few gynacologists fingers (with gloves) in the header tank.  Seemed to work as plug still connected