2001 Alero- Coolant Light

I have a 2001 Alero with ~23,000 miles on it. I bought it used (~13,000 miles) and haven't had any major problems with it in the past. Yesterday when I was driving my coolant light flashed on for about 2 seconds, there was a dinging noise, and then the light went off. The light hasn't come back on since. I'm wondering if I should be overly concerned about this, since the light didn't stay on. My car is no longer under warranty and I really don't want to spend tons of money on a minor problem.

Did you check the coolant level? If you acel or brake for a few seconds hard and the coolant is low it will trip the sensor sometimes. Id really check the coolant level first before you get to worried. You didn't say if you had the 3.4 or the 4 banger but the 3.4 drinks coolant like it was a fine german beer!

I agree check the coolant level. ( I suggest when the car has been sitting for a while) Make sure the right amount is in there. There are differnt levels for cool and hot.
No need to worry if the light flickers on.
But if you smell coolant when you open your hood this may be cause for concern. You could have a leak. But that is a worst case scenario.



I have a 2001 Alero with ~23,000 miles on it. I bought it used (~13,000 miles) and haven't had any major problems with it in the past. Yesterday when I was driving my coolant light flashed on for about 2 seconds, there was a dinging noise, and then the light went off. The light hasn't come back on since. I'm wondering if I should be overly concerned about this, since the light didn't stay on. My car is no longer under warranty and I really don't want to spend tons of money on a minor problem.

I am new to this website also, but I have picked up several good tips in the last couple of weeks. After buying a 2001 Olds Alero with the 3.4 V-6 and 9,000 miles I quickly found out that the intake manifold gaskets are bad in many and will leak coolant into the engine oil. This obviously is not good. I have the extended warranty and it was fixed. (much better than the $600 plus price it could be!)
Keep your eye on your coolant level and have it checked prior to major engine damage. Your engine may run rougher than normal also. Being past that problem the car has been great for my daughter in college. There are other postings in this Alero site that point to this as one of the main coolant problems. One also shows the bulletin put out to GM Mechanics advising of the problem. Good luck with your car.

Yup, lower intake gaskets are a nasty GM problem on the 3.1 & 3.4. Be sure to keep an eye on the oil too. Coolant in the oil will give it a milky appearance. Hope this isn't the problem you have.

I agree...check your coolant level first...but I have had the gasket problem and the coolent getting mixed with the oil made my car knock like crazy. I noticed performance problems about 6 months before I started losing noticable amounts of coolant...no matter how hard I was on the gas...I couldn't get the car to perform on hills...it wouldn't downshift for the power but when I used cruise on similar slopes...the car could get the power i couldn't. I have a 2003 Alero and they had to replace the gasket after a year and a half.

Maureen