'02 Impala: "Low Coolant Level" Message

'02 Impala, 3.4l, 70k miles, base model, no repairs to date (but may be on the cusp of one soon).

Still getting that "Low Coolant Level" alarm in the Message Center, so I pulled the plastic tank out again. Just as I (thought I) remembered: no electrical connector on the tank - only the small hose going to the radiator. So what causes this alarm to be posted? Is it a sensor on the radiator (somewhere)? If it's the radiator, it shouldn't be alarming because when I pulled the cap off, there was liquid right to the top (and I still had some in the tank (although it was slightly below the LOW line). Could this be a faulty alarm?

Also, my tank was pretty oily looking inside (I know, this COULD mean I've got the Intake leak - the jury's still out there, I believe). I had previously flushed out the DexCool in favor of the "mixes-with-anything" Green stuff, but I didn't bother to clean the tank out to see if the oily-looking residue would return. So I cleaned it out very thouroughly using some leftover engine degreaser first, and then brake cleaner second (both mixed with water, some of it semi-boiled). I then did a final cleanup with Palmolive dish soap. It's almost showroom clean now, but I can still smell a whiff of brake cleaner in there. I let it sit outside overnight (open) to see if this helps. In a little while, I'll take another whiff and probably re-install it. Could there be any problems if the whiff is still present? Brake fluid is flammable...

I was just reading WinterOver's ISS thread (because I also have that problem), and I think I may have found the solution to my "Low Coolant" message at Impalahq.com - a bad module on the radiator. That's a great site! Really inspiring. I might even try to tackle the ISS , too, while I'm at it...

yeah my intrigue with a 3800II is doing that also, but it is only after ive driven for a while,

i think the previous owner of the car used the green stuff instead of dex-cool. so i know i could use a flush,and i think that may remedy some of the problem

yeah my intrigue with a 3800II is doing that also, but it is only after ive driven for a while,

i think the previous owner of the car used the green stuff instead of dex-cool. so i know i could use a flush,and i think that may remedy some of the problem

Mine is on most of the time now. I replaced the DexCool with the "mixes-with-anything" Green Stuff, but I doubt that has anything to do with it. I'm going to try pulling the module out and cleaning it to see if that remedies the problem. If not, it's a $57 part at the Chevy dealer where I am. Might just pull the plug, though...

'02 Impala, 3.4l, 70k miles, base model, no repairs to date (but may be on the cusp of one soon).

Still getting that "Low Coolant Level" alarm in the Message Center, so I pulled the plastic tank out again. Just as I (thought I) remembered: no electrical connector on the tank - only the small hose going to the radiator. So what causes this alarm to be posted? Is it a sensor on the radiator (somewhere)? If it's the radiator, it shouldn't be alarming because when I pulled the cap off, there was liquid right to the top (and I still had some in the tank (although it was slightly below the LOW line). Could this be a faulty alarm?

Also, my tank was pretty oily looking inside (I know, this COULD mean I've got the Intake leak - the jury's still out there, I believe). I had previously flushed out the DexCool in favor of the "mixes-with-anything" Green stuff, but I didn't bother to clean the tank out to see if the oily-looking residue would return. So I cleaned it out very thouroughly using some leftover engine degreaser first, and then brake cleaner second (both mixed with water, some of it semi-boiled). I then did a final cleanup with Palmolive dish soap. It's almost showroom clean now, but I can still smell a whiff of brake cleaner in there. I let it sit outside overnight (open) to see if this helps. In a little while, I'll take another whiff and probably re-install it. Could there be any problems if the whiff is still present? Brake fluid is flammable...


On my 02 I found that if I didn't bleed the air from the bleeders on the block and therm housing, there are a couple, that the low coolant indicator would come on. Try to make sure there is NO air in the system.

'02 Impala, 3.4l, 70k miles, base model, no repairs to date (but may be on the cusp of one soon).

Still getting that "Low Coolant Level" alarm in the Message Center, so I pulled the plastic tank out again. Just as I (thought I) remembered: no electrical connector on the tank - only the small hose going to the radiator. So what causes this alarm to be posted? Is it a sensor on the radiator (somewhere)? If it's the radiator, it shouldn't be alarming because when I pulled the cap off, there was liquid right to the top (and I still had some in the tank (although it was slightly below the LOW line). Could this be a faulty alarm?...

Isnt the intake leak just on the 3.8L??

Isnt the intake leak just on the 3.8L??
No. It's also a problem on the 3.4L.

When I flushed the coolant and refilled with the green stuff, I opened the bleeder screw on the thermostat housing. I think I got all the air out there. Is there another bleeder screw that needs to be opened on this engine?

On my 02 I found that if I didn't bleed the air from the bleeders on the block and therm housing, there are a couple, that the low coolant indicator would come on. Try to make sure there is NO air in the system.

There are bleeders on the block? Are you talking about the block drain plugs or something else? I didn't open my block drain plugs. I just drained the radiator and then ran several water flushes until the liquid was clear. Then I filled it back up with the green stuff while opening the thermostat bleeder to get the air out. I may have a slightly sticky thermostat now, however, because whereas before the car would routinely heat up to 200 degrees on the highway (even a little bit more before the fans would come on and cool it back down - something that was starting to concern me because I don't believe it did that originally), now after the flush it only heats up to around 175 degrees - and it only approaches 200 at idle. In fact, I recently got a CEL code P0128 (which I cleared and it hasn't come back) that indicated the coolant temperature was too low (for the thermostat?).

The "LOW COOLANT LEVEL" message comes ON when I first start the car, and it stays on for several miles. Then it goes OFF and usually stays OFF. It's not a big priority with me right now. The ISS concerns me more...

[I had the same problem myself. It's the temperature sensor located right below the choke. Right in the middle of the engine, below the throttle. Just unplug the switch and remove the sensor with a deep well socket. Almost the same size as a spark plug. Was only 7.99 at auto zone, and only took about 10 minutes to change out. Be careful if engine is still hot, will shoot out a little anti-freeze which can burn you. I removed the neg on the battery when I was finished to reset the computer. Has worked perfect every since being replaced. Good Luck.quote=Colt Hero]'02 Impala, 3.4l, 70k miles, base model, no repairs to date (but may be on the cusp of one soon).

Still getting that "Low Coolant Level" alarm in the Message Center, so I pulled the plastic tank out again. Just as I (thought I) remembered: no electrical connector on the tank - only the small hose going to the radiator. So what causes this alarm to be posted? Is it a sensor on the radiator (somewhere)? If it's the radiator, it shouldn't be alarming because when I pulled the cap off, there was liquid right to the top (and I still had some in the tank (although it was slightly below the LOW line). Could this be a faulty alarm?

Also, my tank was pretty oily looking inside (I know, this COULD mean I've got the Intake leak - the jury's still out there, I believe). I had previously flushed out the DexCool in favor of the "mixes-with-anything" Green stuff, but I didn't bother to clean the tank out to see if the oily-looking residue would return. So I cleaned it out very thouroughly using some leftover engine degreaser first, and then brake cleaner second (both mixed with water, some of it semi-boiled). I then did a final cleanup with Palmolive dish soap. It's almost showroom clean now, but I can still smell a whiff of brake cleaner in there. I let it sit outside overnight (open) to see if this helps. In a little while, I'll take another whiff and probably re-install it. Could there be any problems if the whiff is still present? Brake fluid is flammable...[/quote]