No Coolant Level Sensor?? 2001 X5

[Aimster]

I am replacing my coolant resovoir tank and noticed the coolant level sensor in my resevoir, but no wires connected to it !

I cant find any wires either.

Grr. Did the 2001 X5 3.0 have a feature?

[UCrewX5]

My 2001 X5 (9/2000 build date) has a coolant level sensor, and it works (it has gone off a time or two over the past 143,000 miles).

[mrbmwx5]

My 01 dont have a coolant level sensor. and i was wonder about it too.

[skiboats]

My 01 4.4 does and works. Bad heater hosed was replaced, and when it was low came on.

[lo_jack]

My 01 3.0 is the same as yours. There is something in that receptacle in the bottom of the tank (I just replaced mine as well), but it is not hooked up. I cannot find a lead that would plug into it either. On the other hand, I have never had coolant level low enough to test the functionality of the low coolant light, so I don't know if it works or not.

[mtX5]

Try testing to see if the 'Coolent Level Low' comes on your dash. If not I would contact the stealers because that feature should be functional on the 01 X5.

[nebilex]

old thread bump...

Just discovered this as well. 01 X5 3.0, Expansion tank is leaking so while looking for the crack where it was leaking from, I noticed that the coolant level sensor wire was not plug. I started searching for the wire and couldn't find it, it does have a sensor, I would have expected a plug instead of an actual sensor. Oh well, I'll just replace the sensor since the sensor location seems to be leaking as well. I wish there was a plug instead of a $10 sensor.

[diyanich]

On my 4.4i as well as others,i bet,the sensor is not contacting with coolant in any way,the place it goes in is not a perforation,I can swap the sensor without losing coolant at all.
Now,I don't know if 3.0i is different,I don't see why it should be.Sensors are the same as oil level and windshield washer fluid level sensors.No contact with the fluid is needed to determinate the level.
Coolant level warning isn't a standard equipment for all the BMW models.

Originally Posted by nebilex

old thread bump...

Just discovered this as well. 01 X5 3.0, Expansion tank is leaking so while looking for the crack where it was leaking from, I noticed that the coolant level sensor wire was not plug. I started searching for the wire and couldn't find it, it does have a sensor, I would have expected a plug instead of an actual sensor. Oh well, I'll just replace the sensor since the sensor location seems to be leaking as well. I wish there was a plug instead of a $10 sensor.

[DSAviate]

Just replaced my expansion tank due to hairline crack and associated leak.

I was also surprised to see that the installed coolant level sensor was NOT hooked up (7/01). I assumed that the wiring harness with male end must be in the vicinity, either forgotten by previous maintenance, or missed at the factory. But I can NOT find one anywhere.

Further investigation revealed no "coolant level" annunciator in the dash unit, no reference to a coolant level warning light in the OM, and I have not found any wiring reference to/from this level sensor in the Bentley manual.

I'd really like to know if/when my coolant is low.

Anyone have further information on either:

1. Why some of these E53s where shipped without the system hooked up, or

2. How to get the system hooked up and functional.

I'm hoping to post a DIY on the expansion tank replacement soon. - D

[Ricky Bobby]

Fwiw x5snd and I had this conversation today. He told me his coolant sensor wiring was tucked somewhere else as the sensor was NOT hooked up when he did his expansion tank.

I ran out to the garage upon hearing that and checked, thankfully my sensor is on the tank and the wiring is connected!