Coolant Level Sensor

Is it just me or is there no question here?

No, it's not you....I can't see a question.

Maybe we should make up a question and answer it! Might be more interesting than hearing the same old news about intake gaskets, spark plug changes, or rear tail light problems!

Just joking...thanks for all the input you give, Cdru...it is appreciated...Glen

Maybe we should make up a question and answer it!
Sounds good to me.

Q: Where is the coolant level sensor?
A: It's located on the radiator just below the filler neck.

Thanks for the made up question and reply. There was an error in the website while I was uploading my question related to the coolant level sensor.

My next question is how do you replace it? Do you need to reset anything in the PCM when you replace the coolant level sensor? Thanks again.

Sorry, Dondi - just poking a little fun...!

Cdru can talk about replacement - GM decided to save a little money on my 2003 and eliminated it. I suspect it is just screwed in, but someone else should be able to provide that info. If it is screw in and you don't mind making a little bit of a mess, you might consider leaving the coolant in the engine, take it out quickly, put your finger over the hole, then quickly replace it with the new one. I've done this before in a pinch, and if you're quick and careful, you really don't lose much coolant. And, you don't have to go through the hassle of deaerating these engines - it's tough to get all the air out sometimes when the radiator is lower than the engine.

As far as a reset, you should not have to do anything. All it does it tell the computer that the radiator is low on coolant, and the computer the turns on the light in the driver info center. As far as I know, it does nothing but warn you - no engine derate, no code is set, etc.

Are you having a problem with it?

Good luck, glen

Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I am having problems with it. I brought my venture to the dealer because the info center is blinking with low coolant level. The dealer told me that the previous owner loaded the cooling system with water which caused the failure of the sensor.

My next question is, are we going to really damage the sensors if we put another brand of coolant (eg. cool guard from Shell). Is Dex Cool extended life coolant going to last for five years?

Thanks again for the quick reply.

As you can probably tell from this forum, there is a lot of debate around extended life coolants. These coolants were created to minimize the amount of maintenance a person has to do on their car. They don't really offer "better" cooling or protection, but they can be more aggressive to seals in the engine. However, these engines were designed to handle these type coolants through the proper choice of polymers.

Some feel the intake gasket issue is related to Dexcool, but I believe the evidence (and GMs gasket fix) shows that the joint was just poorly designed, and it had excessive load loss in the joint.

My plan? I intend to replace my coolant in my 2003 every three years with Dex-Cool. I don't want to leave it in for the intended 5 years. You can use the standard yellow antifreeze, but you'll have to replace it every 2 years.

On the sensor, it could be that something fouled it, but before I replaced it, I'd check the wiring. You might even go as far as plug in a new sensor and see if you still have the same problem. You could then dip it in coolant and see if the light goes out.....

Hope this helps....Cdru and some others may have some comments as well...Glen

The difference between traditional "green" antifreeze and Dex-cool is the lack of silicates and phosphates. This is suppose to extend the life from the typical year or two to 5 years, 150k miles (I beleive GM has backed this down to 5/100k nowadays). Dex-cool itself has no impact on eating gaskets or seals and does not cause the lower intake manifold leak. That is a faulty design of the gasket.

Another "problem" with dexcool is that, if levels are allowed to drop and air pockets are allowed to form, it can start to crystalize and form a browish gunk. This can plug up the coolant passages over time.

You technically can use Dex-cool and conventional antifreeze together, but you obviously lose the benifits of the longer-life Dex-cool. It's best to use compatible types of anti-freezes. If you have dex-cool installed, top off with dex-cool. If you have the green stuff, top off with the green stuff. There are several manufacurers that have come out with antifreeze that is compatible with either type. I have been using the Prestone version of this now for several months in my Cavalier since I redid my head gasket and have not had any problems.

As to removing it, I don't know. Never removed mine. Accordign to this picture (http://partimages.genpt.com/partimages/274971.jpg), it looks like it is held in place by a spring clip of sorts. You might check a Haynes manual to see if it says if there is an easy way to pop that clip off.

...You might check a Haynes manual to see if it says if there is an easy way to pop that clip off.
My factory manual says "Lift one leg (side) of the retainer and pull the sensor module out".

And that pictures looks like the module. I don't think I have one on my 2001. Looks like 2000, or 1999 was the last year.

Take Care,