VIGIL® 54.

03
Troubleshooting

Low Coolant Level Warning The low coolant level indicator alerts the driver to low
engine coolant. There are two circuits associated
and Shutdown (See Fig. 1) with this feature: VIGIL I gives a warning, VIGIL II
and III give a warning and shut down the engine.
On VIGIL I, the low coolant level warning light will
come on only when the coolant is low. On VIGIL II
and III, the warning light will come on for two one-
second pulses when the ignition is switched on.

Warning System (VIGIL I, II,

and III)
A sensor in the radiator top tank activates the warn-
A ing light for the low coolant level circuit. When the
coolant level drops below the sensor for longer than
five seconds, the lightbar warning light (fifth from the
left) comes on.
The coolant level sensor controls a floating-active
circuit: during normal engine operation, the circuit
grounds lightbar pin C11 through wire 173, the cool-
ant level sensor, and the coolant itself. If the coolant
level drops below the sensor for more than five sec-
373
onds, lightbar pin C11 loses ground, and the warning
light comes on.
4 173
NOTE: Extremely cold coolant may prevent the
86 85
87
coolant and sensor from grounding the low cool-
99
30 ant level circuit.
150Q

87A

Shutdown System (VIGIL II and

III)
1
After the coolant level has dropped below the sensor
2 for thirty seconds, the low coolant level shutdown
173

3 system shuts down the engine by grounding lightbar

pin D6 and wire 373. This energizes the shutdown
relay, and the relay breaks the circuit to the fuel sole-
noid through wire 99.
05/02/95 f540402a
A. Insert wires in outer holes for testing. NOTE: VIGIL III may be programmed at the fac-
1. Coolant Level Sensor tory to give only a warning.
2. 10-Amp Circuit Breaker
3. Fuel Solenoid
4. Shutdown Relay (VIGIL II & III)

Fig. 1, Low Coolant Warning and Shutdown Circuits

Heavy-Duty Trucks Service Manual, Supplement 27, January 2002 306/1

54.03 VIGIL®
Troubleshooting

Low Coolant Warning Troubleshooting

Low Coolant Warning Troubleshooting
Problem Remedy
The low coolant level warning light comes on when the Check the coolant level sensor and wire 173. See Fig. 2.
coolant level is adequate.
The low coolant level warning light does not come on when Check the coolant level sensor and wire 173. See Fig. 3.
the coolant level is low.
The low coolant level warning and shutdown lights come on Check the coolant level sensor and wire 173. See Fig. 2.
and the engine shuts down when the coolant level is
adequate.
The low coolant level warning and shutdown lights don’t Check the coolant level sensor and wire 173. See Fig. 3.
come on when the coolant level is low.

306/2 Heavy-Duty Trucks Service Manual, Supplement 27, January 2002

VIGIL® 54.03
Troubleshooting

NOTE: On most electronic engines, the VIGIL lightbar does not use the low coolant level warning light; and wire
173 is grounded to prevent the light from coming on. If the low coolant level light does come on, lightbar pin
C11 has lost ground, or the lightbar is not working properly. To isolate the fault, remove the lightbar and
check for a good ground at terminal C11. If the ground is not OK, repair wire 173. If the ground is OK, check
that the mating terminals at pin C11 are making good contact. If all are OK, Replace the lightbar.

Does the low coolant level warning light come on intermittently, or does it stay on?

stays on intermittent

Jumper the low coolant level sensor body to Does the low coolant level warning usually occur
ground with the ignition on (engine off). Does when the coolant temperature is very low?
the warning light turn off?
no yes
yes

Replace the sensor and Check connector Is the vehicle equipped, with an
no screw a ground lead to terminals at the older−style low coolant sensor,
the small screw head on lightbar and low having a white plastic insulator?
the sensor’s body. coolant level sensor
for poor
connections. yes

no Replace the sensor.

Jumper low coolant sensor wire 173 to ground.
Does the warning light turn off?

no yes

Check wire 173 for an
open. Check terminal
C11 for a poor
connection. If both are
OK, replace the
lightbar
Replace the sensor. Clean the sensor tip with steel wool and replace the
sensor. If the problem reoccurs, replace the lightbar
with new electronics that use alternating current to
the sensor.

06/27/2002 f541330

Fig. 2, The Low Coolant Level Warning Light Comes On When the Coolant Level is Adequate.

Heavy-Duty Trucks Service Manual, Supplement 27, January 2002 306/3

54.03 VIGIL®
Troubleshooting

With the ignition switch on, disconnect wire 173 from the coolant level sensor, and wait
5 seconds. Does the coolant level warning light come on?

no yes

Check wire 173 for a short to ground. If the Replace the coolant
wire is OK, replace the lightbar. If the wire is level sensor.
not OK, repair the wire as necessary.

08/12/96 f541331

Fig. 3, The Low Coolant Level Warning Light Does Not Come On When the Coolant Level is Low.

306/4 Heavy-Duty Trucks Service Manual, Supplement 27, January 2002